THe MEC bikes are great - the Hold Steady is about the best bike in that category that I have seen. The Trek SOHO suffers massively in the brake department. The MEC bike is just about perfect. I own the Giant Seek with similar setup but the carbon fork on the Hold Steady is a winner for sure.

The COL does not have braze-ons for a rack. The Cote i a fantastic bike and I would but one in a second if I did not just buy another road bike.

I have been a MEC member for 30 years and have never regretted a purchase.