Is this bike any good?

Does anyone have any first-hand experience with these SS bikes from bikesdirect? I am considering buying something like this for when going out on slow paced family rides and such: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_steel.htm

I like the fact that it comes with brakes already and for $249 they may be worth it but on the other hand, knowing myself, I don't really want to get something like a Walmart bike either.