Thank you all for the advice and help. I wanted to try a Specialized Sirrus but could not make it to the store that carried it on time. I tried again the Escape 2 at another shop today (very cool shop in downtown LA), and went back to the Performance bike store (in Santa Monica) where I had initially tried the Absolute 2.0. I tried the Fuji Absolute 3.0 again, and in some ways liked it better than the Giant Escape 2.

So I just pulled the trigger on the 2014 Fuji Absolute 1.7. I think I just like the feel of it better, and I think the components are slightly better than those of the Escape. I got a great deal I think at just under $500 before tax (MSRP is $669). Only thing that sucks is that I have to wait up to two weeks to get it.

Oh well. I'll just have to be patient...

I have always been well treated at Performance Bike in Santa Monica. While the service is not as "quick" as the smaller LBSs, (they're busier) they seem pretty good there. Also I get 10% "cash back", and one year to change the bike if I don't like it or the size, etc... + 90 day price warranty.

This was a bit pricier that I wanted to spend initially, so I will try out the 28 tires for a while (I wanted to change them to 32s initially) and will also hold off on a rack and bar ends for now. I can always add them later. Same with the kickstand. I will try to go without for a while, especially since I would need the special chainstay kind since the chainstay U-breaks don't allow to add a kickstand under the bike.

I do plan on investing in a kryptonite U-lock however, and I may get a new helmet since mine is actually 12 years old. I'll post pix one I get the bike...