...based on his description of what his intended uses are. Many people buy aluminum for their first bike and are quite happy. My rear end appreciates the softer ride of carbon, but it's at a cost measured by more than Clutch's $100 or so threshold. Carbon is only justified if you plan on riding over 30 miles a week (maybe more).

My experience: I bought a used Trek 5900 carbon w/top of line parts for $900 more than a few years ago on Ebay, sold for $500 to a riding buddy years later, and it's still performing well for him. Meanwhile, its replacement was a demo Trek 5.2 Madone (carbon) bought from local Trek shop. The carbon cracked within a year; Trek replaced it under warranty but it still cost me $$ and time off bike to get the replacement. Its replacement is still performing well, though, now years later.

For what it's worth...