The groupset on that is pretty bad yeah, http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...ssrip/crossrip
Its better than Wal Mart obviously, but for $1200 you can do better.

Its below entry level Shimano Sora, which you can get on most ~$500 roadbikes.
The Avid mechanical brakes are OK.

Its nice that it has an aluminium frame and carbon fork, but do you need that?

the cheaper stuff is going to wear out quicker and all that.

A Kona Jake is at a similar price, and you can find a dealer in most cities http://www.konaworld.com/dealers.cfm

The Jake doesn't have the disc brakes or carbon fork, but you should ask yourself if you really need those in the first place. It does however have Shimano Tiagra, which is decent overall, and much better that the 2300 stuff on that Trek.

Look around too, you might get lucky and walk into a shop that's trying to clear out their last years stock..and pick something up that's worth $1200 but for alot less.