dallasmike

Thanks everyone for all the input. As luck would have it, I was doing my normal CL search for anything that might be decent here in Dallas during my internal debate of low end all aluminum or waiting, and I ran across a 2005 Trek 1000 w/ carbon fork/ seatpost for a great deal. Actually cheaper than anything I have seen. I was a little skeptical, but saw it, picked it up the next day. It is in excellent shape. Rode it for the first time yesterday, had a blast.

Thanks for all your help, if anyone comes across this thread and has a question about my process, I have done a ton of research and countless hours reading on this forum, and would be glad to help out in any way I can.

txvintage

Great news, and congrats on finding a bike! Sounds like you found someting you are happy with.

Now the only thing left to do is RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!