Mike,
Is Century your LBS? If so, which one? I've been doing business with Century for a long time, mostly in Peninsula, and they are really great folks. Test ride both bikes and determine which one fits you best. Frankly a custom built or even complete Cross Check is going to be out of your price range.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey