That is some cool setup I need to come up with something better than a backpack.

The Costco bike is $250 not $280 and I looked at few bikes in that price range and Costco bike was much better. I checked out couple of bikes in $450-500 price range and they had one step higher Shimano rear derailleur but no disk break or rear suspension and they looked cheap and not as solid as Vortex and didn't ride as well. I test drove the vortex inside Costco It was before they close and there was nobody in the aisle
I guess when the break pads start going, you can replace the rear break or change the components as time goes by. I ended up buying one and it rides VERY smooth. I liked a $700 shop bike but didn't want to spend that much money.