[skiiipi]

Originally Posted by UFO

Even if you have access to parts at cost, it isn't worthwhile because OEM parts bundled with complete bikes are discounted very heavily. You probably won't be able to recover much cost selling your entry level parts even if they are brand new.

Now I'm not too sure about road bikes, but for mountain bikes at least, the consensus is to buy the best frame you can and as long as the parts and components are serviceable, they are useable. Parts like cassettes, derailleurs, cranksets are expendable parts as they are subject to wear and tear with regular use. When the Sora/Tiagra stuff wears out from use, then you can upgrade to the better 105/Ult level gear. Things like frame and fork do not wear out with that level of regularity and form the foundation of your ride. Unless the parts upgrade is huge and the price is ridiculously too good to pass up, I wouldn't put as large a premium on the parts spec.

In your situation, I personally would stick with the GT even though it has the lesser frame. It's half the price, less bells and whistles of course, but you have to consider if you will even stay in the sport long term or want to upgrade after a year or two. In either case, a used bike you got on a pro-deal will be easier to sell at closer to the price you actually paid as opposed to the Jamis where anybody has access to that pricing. $500 doesn't get you much for a road bike even in the used market but $900 opens many more options up, so you shouldn't have too much trouble selling the GT in the future if you so choose.

Thanks for the post
Will thank you when I get back home to a computer.
I'm leaning more towards GT too....too cheap to spend the extra $500+ for a better bike.