Mon Dieux! Pourquoi pensez-vous les Français êtes-vous mauvais ? Nous versons au moins une fois par mois ! Nous travaillons au moins 15 heures par semaine pour fournir le vin pour nos enfants !

I must thank you all for the unbiased give and take in this thread- I believe both sides of the argument have been voiced accurately, and fairly, allowing me to make an informed decision...

ah screw it, I'm buyin' the damn bike in the morning. WOOOHOOOO!

Tais-toi, frenchie! Ne le me dis pas!

Go to work ya bunch of slackers!

This is great. Making me feel like a fool for passing up a couple of bikes myself....
ahhh the endorphins of buying, and riding a bicycle.

Congratulations. You made the right decision. I can totally relate to your message. It feels like you're talking about me.

A few years ago, I decided to give myself some special treat, but it took me a lot of internal debating and agony (sort of like you just did) to finally decide to buy a low-end LeMond steel bike with Sora components, which I thought was good enough for me. Then on the following year, I started buying components, etc. on ebay and started tear things apart and putting stuff together myself. Now I ride aluminum Specialized frame and did all the assembling of components that comes from all over the place, some 2nd hand, some new.

Then a bug hit me again.

For the past several weeks, I had been debating myself all over again (or I should say 10% thinking and 90% justifying). I wanted a Ti frame bike. I've done a lot of research, comparing this and that, read a lot of postings on this forum (I've learned a lot, btw). After all, I have a good job, make good $$$, have some savings. I don't smoke, I don't drink. I don't gamble, I don't have an extra marital affair. And one of my few enjoyment in life is to ride a bike (besides reading). So I decided that I deserve to have some real nice one and I'm sure I'll enjoy it for a very long time. I just ordered it less than a week ago. It hasn't arrived yet. But I'm totally satisfied with my decision.

Buy.....buy......buy.......

he better post pics when he gets it!

At some point in time you're going to be dead and your kids are going to gather around your coffin and discuss what kind of legacy you left them.

Do you want them to discuss how sensible you were or would you rather they talk about what a fun person you were?

My kids are going to be debating whether it was worth the extra $2000 for the carbon fiber casket.

You will never be sorry.

I did it... trek 1200 currently sitting at home, with 50 brand new miles on it from the weekend.

HEAR HEAR!
Congrats man...
Like many posters have convinced you... keep riding and you will begin to wonder why you didn't buy it earlier... BUT there are no regrets in life... just actions... keep on riding that!
Pics please???

Thanks
-Peter

Good thing you instilled good judgment and a sense of moral obligation in them kids.

I also live in the N.O. area. Mandeville actually. I highly recommend Westbank Cyclery. I drive the 40 miles past several other LBS's to do business there. He carries Trek, Giant, Felt & 1 or 2 others. Speak to Sam. he is a great guy with beaucuop knowledge & won't rip you off. I also recommend GNO Cyclery although they are a bit more pricey. Both have excellent service. You can definitely find a ride in your price range.