Thank you guys, and thank you Pinigis, since you would know more about the Cricket than anyone, would you be able to provide more detailed specs? Your website has some specs but I still have some questions on the Cricket. I am particularly concerned with the rigidity of the ride, is the rear suspension adjustable? and can I lock our the fron suspension to make it a rigid fork? Also, what kind of gearing does the cricket have and what materials is the crank set up (all aluminium or are there plastic plate cover like you would find on cheaper department store bikes). I really like both the Nova and the Cricket is ever more appealing, but some more detail on ride characteristics of the Cricket and maybe more technical details would be appreciated.
A big consideration for me is that I have a fairly steep hill on the commute - yay san francisco!
Thus I am very concerned with a ride which would be to "squishy" as a result of a non-adjustable suspension.
Thank you for the input thus far and please keep it coming.