if you're gonna spend that much, you might as well get a Jamis Satellite for $675. If those are your only choices, I say the Raleigh. It's the same as the sport only with a carbon fork? Can you get just the Sport for <$400?

Don't forget to test ride 'em, for at least 20-30 minutes

PS: don't buy anything, at all, ever, from Wal-Mart. Enjoyed your story about the $56 bike falling apart. Video would've been better.