And I LOVE it!

I probably can't guarantee that you'll be glad you bought that bike, but I have enjoyed all 612 miles!

Like you, I was not intending to spend so much on a road bike, and I was not even thinking about carbon fiber for the frame. I pretty much lucked into it.

I road a Specialized Expedition "comfort-beast" last year, so this bike has been quite a change. I started out with some strength issues related to the new body position earlier this season, but lately I've noticed that I've gotten much stronger, and much more confident on my bike. I think I've got a happy saddle situation now, though it's tempting to play a bit more with that, just in case I could be wrong! I'm also starting to feel very comfortable in the drops after wondering if there was ever going to come a day when I'd be brave enough to even try them.

Overall, I feel I could happily spend a full day on this bike! (now to get DH that happy on his!)

Karen in Boise