With that quote I was actually referring to the nashbar cyclocross bike. Both that and the cannondale would be really good options. Even if the cannondale needs some work, it will be far far cheaper..it already has rack and fenders, is local, and assembled. And you can test tide it thats a biggie. No way to know if an online buke will be comfy or not. The nashbar bike is a good value, but it's more expensive, and a gamble.