Fortunately, I was blessed with a "too much bike" for my first bike. I'm just now getting to the point where I feel maybe I'm growing into it. My husband did, however, change out the cassette when he realized I was working way too hard on hills than I needed to be. I had an 11/25 and he switched it to an 11/28, which gives me a much easier gear for steep hills. I'm about to change my handlebars, because they are not women specific and I'm not as comfortable braking as I am on my friend's Ruby.

I have no need to upgrade the entire bike, yet dh just threw out the possibility of upgrading his frame and me getting his old one (which is even lighter than my already light frame). Not sure that's going to happen, though.

I think for you, if it's financially not feasible, than just enjoy what you have and the dream bike will come when you either have the funds, or possibly stumble upon an amazing deal. In fact, with this economy, one wonders what one could get used, maybe on Ebay. Dh got an amazing deal on a really nice mountain bike a couple of years ago. There are deals to be had if you're looking.

Another option is upgrading parts of your bike a little at a time. That's how dh ended up with his first dream bike. Bought a cheap used one and slowly changed out the parts for top of the line components, then changed out the frame last. I ended up with all those parts on an even newer and better frame that we got an amazing deal on... when dh was ready to upgrade, once again, for massive climbing purposes. So, it just depends on what your goals are and if you feel your bike is holding you back ... and if you can afford it.

So, there are more ways to get a dream bike than forking out the big bucks at a bike shop all at once.