Originally Posted by rugerben

Good question.

1)I'm a law school student. I don't have enough money. I lead group rides for my bike shop and have done some work for them. They gave me the bike at cost to them (they even absorbed shipping.) Even then, it was a huge stretch for me to buy this bike.
2) I'm not THAT good of a rider that the difference in components would matter that much. Although I would like the wheelset on the zero.

What's wrong with a 34/50? It's just your standard 'compact double.' I live in very hilly CT so the slightly lower gearing is nice. it took a little bit to get used to (used to have an old road bike with a 54t chainring. Can you say looooooow cadence?), but I like it.