Well I do see your points, however this is not exactly the case. I am giving the bike to a friend who wanted it, and is paying me back in full (since it is 3 days used). Also this is MY first bike but I have been riding a friends old trek 720 hybrid bike for over a year. So while this was way better than that I would like to invest my money into something that I will keep in the long run. I might go with the Wabi lightning if nothing else. pretty clean.

So you will also be looking for a threaded 1" carbon fork? Look at Nashbar http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Catalog...aded+Road+Fork

Your Welcome! Maybe?

Everyone is talking about swapping the fork, that's great, but the biggest perfomance gain and most bang for the buck is the wheels. If your trying to save money, note I said if, then just replace the wheels. If money is no object then replace the fork, but static weight of a fork is not the same as rotational weight of the wheels. Then replace the crank with lighter crank after the fork is replaced. Personally I would just do the wheelset and call it a day. You can either keep your current wheels for backup or sell them.

By the way the Kinlin wheels are a fantastic wheelset and you will notice a immediate improvement in the ride.

Add a tooth or two to your cog and spin faster.

or HTFU.

2.5 pounds will do very little compared to regearing and/or upgrading the motor/tires.

Its clear from all that time riding your friends Trek you learned a lot about biking, too. You're so well informed that you let a bunch of strangers on the internet convince you how to spend 4-$500 dollars 4 different ways in 3 days.

I guess I'm probably coming off unnecessarily dickish. If you rode for a year and know you love it the Wabi is definitely a nice bike. But if you're so worried about this hill that you feel its necessary to go $400 over your original bikes budget to make it up, maybe you should just buy a geared bike from craigslist. Then you can ignore the weight and downshift.

PLUS 1 on this. The Wabi is $765, you can find end of the year sales at most LBS's and find decent geared road bikes for that price; or even this: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._legacy_xi.htm
Nashbar, and Performance, all have road bike sales in that price range.

agreed.
keep the friggin masi as it is
love the masi!!!!!! cherish it!!!
keep it as a beater/ commuter bike and just learn to deal with the friggin pansy ass hill
and then buy a road bike
and be happy
and stop fretting the little things

Ride 20miles a day, (1.5hrs) everyday rain or shine with your current bike! You will kick that hill arse in no time! HTFU. Once your a bad arse with enough leg power to skid while seated then re visit this question.
I moved to Portland with a 26lb Walmart Alum conversion with a 12lb wheelset and a 4lb fork. After riding EVERY day for a Year I felt strong as hell 46x16. I had only moderate time going up hills here. Now I have a 22lb conversion! I mash up hills seated now! Work on the engine first. A lighter bike will only hinder your training!