TnDiamondback, even given your limited exposure to other road bikes, is it safe to assume that you'd consider an F90 a good starter, even if is older (assuming, of course, only common-and-not-brutal wear, good care, etc.)? I'm one of this week's n00bs here, and may have found a nice deal on an '05 F90 for $250 about a 1.5 hours or so away. I don't have a good feel yet for bikes, but the Felts seem to get respect 'round the forum.