Yep, the Challenge Crit's do look like they should be a great tire. Step or two up from the Vittoria Rubino Pro III's I been using for the last few years.
Aluminum bikes are supposed to be notoriously stiff. I don't know, I've never road aluminum much, certainly never owned one. I'm on steel which in light bikes is usually springy in the places you want it to be springy.
So yeah, the chip-seal might be a good excuse to spend a good penny on a carbon bike or another titanium. Or spend less on a really good steel bike, though it's hard to find a truly light one anymore.