Steel?

[eofelis]

How about a Gunnar steel frame? Stock frames are around $800, custom geometry is $300 extra. (Prices may have changed a bit since I last looked). That's a pretty good price for a custom frame!

I have a custom Gunnar Sport and it's a great ride. (It was a custom for someone else, I got it on ebay, but it fits my quite well.)

There is a thread on Gunnar bikes....

[SpeedyChix]

Mike DeSalvo makes a fine steel frame and is pretty reasonably priced and wait time isn't too bad either. Ride is great.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, I just looked at Terry's current offerings, most of which appear to be in the range of $3500. Maybe I'm missing something, but from a price perspective, Luna (and any number of other steel builders) could put you on a custom complete bike for about the same amount of money as a complete Terry bike. That's not to say the OP shouldn't just stick with Terry, but if price the factor, she shouldn't rule out custom builders.

[sundial]

I'm curious as to why your LBS has you entertaining the thought of a custom Serotta? Perhaps he sees the Terry as a bike with a higher price point given the components it has? As for the ride quality of steel, it will soak up the road noise and give you a smoother ride. After I retired my carbon fiber bike, I went back to steel and haven't regretted it.

[Zen]

What is your price point?
That would give us an advisement base.