@ Steely Dan - What bike did you get from them?

I'm looking to get a Cyclocross bike mostly because I am over 200+ lbs (therefore clydesdale?) to use for commuting. I have been looking spending over $1000 simply because I want to ensure I get a good reliable bike to replace my car with.

What someone said earlier about the possibility of getting a lower end bike with lower end parts and paying a pretty penny for the name recognition version high quality parts on a lower name recognition bike makes a bit of sense but at the same time I would def. have to take this to a LBS to have them build it for me. This whole time I've been looking at the Specialized Tricross or Trek XO1/Portland or the Fisher Lane but I'm also opening my gaze to the Fuji and Giant brands. And now I'm checking out Bikesdirect.

Man this purchase is killing me. - What I hate is that I went to a LBS and asked them if they carried any of these brands and the guy didn't but instead tried to sell me on a Road bike - even after I told him I'd probably ride the bike mostly on road for commuting purpose but also off road for the fun of it.

Pisses me off that he was trying to make a quick sale. These things aren't cheap.