Thanks for all of the commentary! I was hoping that there wouldn't be a noticeable difference between the aluminum frame with carbon fork and full carbon bike, so that I could save the sizeable difference in cost, but it sounds like the carbon frame is worth the high price. I'm not sure I'm ready to spend the $2,000+ on a carbon frame (I was hoping to spend somewhere in the range of $1,000-$1,500). To save up, I may end up waiting longer than planned before I make the leap.