Don't know about those other bikes, but $1000 for a Sora Cannondale is a rip-off. You can get a similar bike at Performance Bike for about $500-600. Keep in mind REI is not a bike store. It's basically an expensive WalMart for outdoor activity gear. But since you have the REI gift cards, might as well use them. My advice is to shop REI online. You might find better deals that at the actual store. For $800-1000, you should be looking at 105 equipped bikes, not Sora.