Thanks for your input, ladies. I'll have to check on the derailleur.

The cheater/suicide brakes were original equipment on this bike, along with the R700 Brifters. I suspect the bike was marketed towards women who hadn't ridden in a long time and thus wanted a more relaxed geometry, so perhaps Trek thought the extra brakes would help them feel more comfortable...I dunno. But I'm used to the regular brifters and don't even remember the others being on there except when I want to ride on the tops and they are there taking up space!