This helps.
Non-racing CX bikes do make excellent commuters, and I'd imagine any minor issues you may be having can be dealt with pretty easily.

It seems to me that you already have a perfectly functional commuter with the ability to ride the route almost as quickly as a full-on road bike. So.... it seems that the focus on the new bike might be better aimed at your interest in competetive riding, so a bit "racier" design. You could ride your road bike on fair weather days when you want to go fast and light, and rely on your cx bike as your primary transportation machine.

With this in mind, here are some additional bikes to consider:

- The Motobecane would be my pick of the ones you listed, with the Defy 2 tight on its heels.

As you already know, Bikesdirect offers a pretty hard to beat value, with the trade off that it is mail order.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...strada_xii.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...sprint_xii.htm
Or for a perfectly functional retro-cool road racing bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._legacy_xi.htm

Here's a pretty good deal: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...ODUCT.ID=32174

Your LBS options might have some prior stock (2010/2011) that they are clearing out for some savings, or perhaps keeping your eye out on the local used market.

Fit is the biggest factor - especially if you are thinking about racing. You can use any number of online self-fit tools to get a big jump start on this: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

All of this said, you might consider (if you have not already done so) composing a "wanting to get started training/racing" thread in the road bike subforum, as those guys would probably be able to provide additional options for you to consider.