If you were to hold out a little more you could get an njs frame or old pinarello etc on ebay, but Im not sure if there is really all that much of an "upgrade" within that price range that isn't 1 1/8. I think soma and some other similar brands make some 1 inch. I would go with a leader or other 1 1/8 frame over that anyday, but I am biased towards aluminium. Plus thomsons are cooler than nittos.