thank you for the info guys, I am definitely liking this plan more and more, so is my wife, the "spreading it out" is definitely a plus. weight isn't really a major issue, I am currently biking on a 35 lb mountain bike(weighed on a digital bathroom scale, I calibrated it with 50lbs weight first), so a few ounces, or even a pound all said isn't going to matter since I have no intentions of racing, but would eventually like to do group rides once i am more comfortable with my stamina. my biggest concerns are not being geared too high and good 36+ spoke wheelset. I would love to find a used cro-moly frame, but my options are open. if its going to cost as much as a new, then its all the same to me at this point.