Thanks for the input. I keep hearing the same complaint, that the aluminum fork is kinda harsh...of course it's all relative and comes down to personal taste...I have always had bikes with a steel fork, and never a front suspension. I was going to ask if the aluminum fork will be that much hasher than steel...but of course I already answered my own question. IE, I'll have to see for myself...and if it is I can always swap out the forks, that's not a big problem at all...thanks again for the advice.