Quote Originally Posted by Running Mommy View Post
Save up and wait until you can afford something that is not considered entry level. You will not regret it. Sometimes patience really is a virtue.
I think this is my plan.. if I am looking to buy, it probably won't be until spring at the earliest because it will take me that long to save up enough.

Be careful about buying misc parts here and there unless you REALLY know what you are buying.
We get people in here all the time with their "scores" that end up to... well... not be. Not compatible, wrong size, speed- whatever. We see it all the time.
Oh, I agree.. and I am worried about getting the "right" parts if I do anything significant. The bars I've ordered (Soma Sparrow) should work with the MTB shifters/brakes that are already on my bike, and the stem is the same size too, so it should just be a matter of switching out the bars. At most, I see myself possibly swapping out the stem if I feel like I need more/less reach with the new bars... but that I won't really know until they're here.