Thanks for the advice guys. I'm a student and I really had to scrape together the money so that's why I am so loath to spend the bucks on shipping. I agree that a lot may change, as 'wild animals' said, but I know I will need a bike for the next few years for getting to classes, etc. The only question in my mind is: is this REI deal worth getting now or are there sales before the spring season as well? In other words, is the REI deal killer or just another sale? Thank you again for your help. Oh, BTW I don't have any bike at all right now.