Hi, Newbie here, but I also jumped on a DB Trace (the basic one with the orange stripe and hard front suspension). I have had it about a month, usually ride about 100 mis per week and have done two or three longer rides with it - longest so far was about 35 mis in coastal wind. Since I bought it, I've added a B17 standard saddle, chopped 4 inches off the bars, added bar ends, rewrapped the bars, a rear rack (Topeak), and am thinking of going to 32c tires from the 40's on there now. BTW, the derailleurs and disc brakes work wonderfully - don't let anybody tell you they don't.
I like the bike alot, but still go back and forth about moving to a pure touring bike like an LHT, Safari, or a Soma. But the truth is, after my add-ons and if I DO put smaller tires on her, the bike will do just fine for touring as well as fitness rides. I like the stiffness of the frame (having read about tortional properties of some 'touring' bikes under load) and I like the robustness of the bike overall.
I got mine on sale at Dick's for $329, delivered free, and pretty easy to assemble and adjust.
