It's all about the carbon! I just went (two weeks ago!) from an aluminum Cannondale to a Bianchi carbon, and the difference is dramatic! I has having all kinds of issues with hand-numbness and saddle woes, and I don't have a single complaint. I just did 165 miles this weekend and my hands feel great. Did the same thing last weekend, and my hands feel great! It was really worth it for me.

More importantly, congrats on the nursing! Nurses make all the difference in the world! I have to have fairly regular breast biopsies, and almost as important as getting my usual surgeon, I insist on the nurse who works with him - I won't get the operation unless she's on duty that day.