I don't think I have the Coda "elite" in the femme model. Yes, the components are low end, but nothing has broken... I find it as easy to shift as my Norco mountain bike, which is more of a mid range, $1500 bike. I only compare it to that, because they both have flat bars, but the Norco has higher end components. My husband bought the Coda Sport edition, as that is what the shop had in his size. Because of the terrain we live around, he gets jealous of my super low gears, but overall both bikes have had absolutely no problems.
I've ridden my Jamis in the rain a few times and it performed well, too.