OK like I said I could spend $4000 but really would not mind spending less (I am cheap that way-haha! (like $2000 is actually cheap-what planet am I from?).

Anyway with custom there's also the matter of how long it takes. I'm thinking its not speedy and the wrist pain/hand numbness is now and I have to be on the puter alot for work and really don't need arthritis.

Catriona I am definitely leaning on my wrists-my arms are supporting me and in order to have my leg extended on the mountain bike and the seat basically level with the handles its making me flex my wrists but I can't really ride any other way because I think the darn bike does not fit. Got gel gloves-they're not doing much. I will search for wrist pain on here and see what folks say.

I think probably a good idea for me to steer away from carbon since I'm the type who would chip her bike on day 1; I have been known to fall down standing in line waiting for the ski lift.

Thanks for posting the weights. It does not sound like a tremendous difference between the steel and others for what I want to do with it. Maybe I'll tell my husband he can only come with if he buys us a tandem