Update -
The Defy would only take 28c tires, not 32 (as predicted). Gave it a try for my route and the tires are just too thin for the surfaces I commute on - most of my commute is along an access road shoulder; too dangerous at rush hour to move out in the traffic lane and the shoulder has too much debris, rocks, potholes, etc. for me to be comfortable.
So I resold the Defy and am now on the lookout for a dropbar bike that will take at least 700 x 32 tires, preferably wider.