well, this is a little anti-climactic, but the guy at the LBS didn't get back to me and the test ride didn't happen today. It's possible that the bike is already sold, but if it isn't I won't have time to pursue it until Saturday, if it's still available.

So maybe I won't be getting a great bargain on the bike of my dreams.

Thanks all for your input and your perspective. I don't NEED this bike. It's true that I ride a low end road bike (Trek 2.1 Al frame, 105 components) and that most everybody in my local club rides with much nicer gear, but there's nothing wrong with my bike and I have no illusions that a better bike will suddenly make me a stronger puller or a noticeably better climber. But my few experiences on really nice carbon bikes is that they are a joy to ride.

To those who say that $4k is a heck of a lot to spend on a bike - yeah it is. I can "afford" it in the sense that I have more than that sitting in my checking account and I have a very secure job- I'm very fortunate that I do not live close to the financial edge. (And I KNOW that that makes me fortunate). On the other hand, there are other long-range demands on that money - keeping my 100 y.o. house from falling down, my daughter's college fund, etc. so I debate the wisdom of spending that kind of coin on a bike.

But biking is my passion and I spend many hours/month in the saddle. I may still pull the trigger if the opportunity hasn't passed.