Originally Posted by no1mad

No worries. I've narrowed it down to just the Giant Escape City and the Kona Dew Plus (on paper, anyway).

The one would come with the basic add-ons of fenders, rack, and kickstand for $500. Doesn't have disc brakes, but I'm now under the impression that I could use Kool Stop Salmon brake pads to greatly improve performance in all weather conditions. The Kona comes with the disc brakes, but then I'd have to add all that other stuff, easily negating the $11 savings on the bike.