carbon frame?

wow, that is a good point about upgrading the components. my LBS puts you on a few bikes (4-5) after the fitting so I am looking forward to "getting in the saddle". Thanks

I have an 06 S32, it's aluminum (sans the fork) and I don't feel I'm giving up anything riding it.

Would a carbon frame be nice. Yeah, as a matter of fact my CR1 is carbon and I love it. However, I don't feel any faster riding carbon than aluminum.

Unless you are already at IDEAL race weight, performance, etc, I don't think that giving up carbon for aluminum will be noticeable in races.

That said... the mental aspect of riding a carbon rocket is something that shouldn't be ignored. Placebo's work better than most actual medicine you know.

I raced on a road bike (aluminum, very stiff) for 6 seasons before buying a carbon tri bike.  In my experience the carbon makes a huge difference in reducing fatigue at IM-distance races.  I cannot tell any difference at Oly and below.  So... IMO it depends on what types of races you will be doing.

Recently purchased a Massi carbon bike in a sale with about 300 pounds sterling knocked off, couldny have bought it otherwise my previous bike was a Dawes Giro 400 and IMHO there is no comparison placebo effect maybe but Im glad I made the purchase. 

Goes both ways I suppose. You will find those who swear by them and others who say its just a fad or not worth it. I would like to think there is some good middle ground out there. I just bought my '07 Trek Equinox 5 new this spring deeply discounted since it was a couple of years old. I a firm believer in finding good deals and not paying a premium. It has been a good bike, but it is Aluminum and I like my gadgets, so I can see a change over to a carbon bike in my future, ideally over the winter, but if not, then at the end of next season. I did not have my Trek fully fitted, they just did the seat post height and that was all, so I will probably not be going back to the same store for my next purchase. I have been keeping my eye out for a year or two old carbon frame and have considered building up the bike, or waiting for a full bike to cross my path. It would depend on your budget as well. I was saving money up for a set of wheels, but then convinced myself that a bike and proper fitting will do more good than a set of wheels. My big focus this winter is to build up my speed on the bike. I will probably use that as a way to justify my new bike purchase in the spring As said above, watch what component packages come on bikes you are looking at. Dura Ace vs Ultegra can jack up the price of a bike significantly without providing much benefit for the average user.

I have three tri bikes. A full carbon kestrel airfoil, an aluminum specialized s-works transition, and a combination frame alum/carbon BMC TT02. Each bike has its own unique characteristics, but I can't tell any difference due to the frame materials. I've ridden each in 50+ mile rides and never felt that one frame was more comfortable than another. They all have carbon forks, and the transition has a carbon stem and carbon aero bars and this may do something for the ride.