Well despite all this negative talk on cyclo brakes, I just dropped a deposit on a leftover 07' Giant TCX
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...llections_id=2
LBS had it (with factory upgraded 105 derailleurs) buried in the back on my previous trips. Just happened to spot it on an inventory list for a "end of summer clearance.".
Anyway, took it for an extended test ride down some pretty neglected streets and it fits and rides SWEET. Brakes worked well and did NOT squeak. 34/50 front ring seemed to have good range for my use. I'm a little sceptical of the rim/spoke arrangement but figure I don't really intend to race/beat it anyway. I just want better than "race bike" comfort and durability. What floored me was the weight of the bike. It weighed in @ 19.9 # with pedals on my (very accurate) digital fish scale. All in all just what I had been looking for in a "back roads" bike. Anyway, I was able to beat them down quite a bit off the "sale price" so this also turned out to be the least expensive on the cyclo's I was eyeing. LBS benefits are a nice to have too. I won't pick it up till Thursday but am really looking forward to it!

Thanks again for all your well thought out advice. It helped me out allot!