second vote for buying the $500 trek 1.2 (if it's a 56)
After a month of saturdays, you'll be an expert, having ridden multiple times, gone down the internet hole researching why this-or-that is like this-or-that and how it should be, etc. A few weeks later, you'll know exactly what bike/features you want/need and have a new bike on your mind. Then you'll make-do with the 1.2 for another couple months until you've found/saved-up-for your new perfect bike.
