Thanks all for the help.
Based on what I've heard from you and some further independant research I'll prob'ly go for an aluminum frame coupled with a carbon fork. I'm only 19, and at my age I'm more concerned about the price (still have to pay for school) than the smoother ride, besides.... I can prob'ly take the bumps that you old geezers can't! Still open to suggestions of course, but this bike will probably be a training machine for the fall rowing season than for racing (never tried bike racing before).
Anyways... thanks again for the help, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Sly