Hey dc -

I know its tempting to drop the cash when you got it and the itch for something shiney and new. But the way I see it is you can't possibly know what is the best fit for you, size as well as function. So to me it makes sense, unless you ride in a Bently and park it in one of those San Marino estates, to make use of the huge used market we have here in SoCal to answer that question.

Check craigslist everyday. Scan LA, OC, Ventura, and even SB and the IE. When a bike that has your name on it pops up, you'll know it when you see it. Don't be locked into Bianchi. Be adventurous. Try different makes, materials, etc. If you are patient you'll find bikes for half thier shop price that are only two or so seasons old. If you stick to good to great deals you can always re-sell for little or no loss after you put on enough miles to find out what you need to know about the bike. Consider a loss the cost of renting them. This will allow you to experiment with geometries, materials, and sizes. Once you get a bead on what works best for you, then you'll know exactly what you want when and if you're ready to drop the 5K on the dream bike.