After lots of lurking, and occasional questions, and thinking about steel vs. aluminum, drops vs. bullhorns, complete bike vs. a build-up, etc., I finally decided on a Jamis Sputnik. Thought I'd try to find an '08 model on sale, before '09 price increases. An '08 for $775-10%, or about $700 at one shop, plus another $60 to switch to bullhorns and add brakes. $760 total, not too bad; the '09 is listed at $900 MSRP (include brakes) and they're not in stock at shops yet. Next shop I called said they had no '08's in my size, but would order me an '09 at '08 price of $700, and switch drops to bullhorns for $50 more, so $750 total. $10 better, and an '09. Thought I'd call one more shop. He said he had no '08's, but would order an '09...for $580, and add $25 to switch out the drops to bullhorns. $605 total for a 2009. SO...is the owner a smart shop owner who figures get me to agree an dbuy at a smaller profit before I walk out the door to see if I can find one in stock somewhere else? Or does Jamis allow dealers to order the '09 at an '08 price since they hadn't delivered the '09's yet, (to theoretically keep me from buying some other brand I can get my hands on quicker)?

I pulled the trigger on the '09 for $605 total, and I'm drooling just thinking about it!