The Giant mountainbike is a better other choice. Particularly if it is ready to ride as is.
I hope you were able to return the Cannondale. If it needs all that work before you ride it, it isn't such a great deal.
Enough chatting on the Bike Forum. Time to ride. Texas is warm and dry in the winter isn't it?

I'm such a coward. Winter here is wet and cool. I'm only getting out once a week.