Nobody else seems to want to talk about bikes, so I'll bat on a bit. Have you considered second hand? I don't mean buying some old clunker, I'm talking about recent models that people are moving on. As an example, though it is way outside your price range, Spacey of this parish is selling a lovely Cinelli (iirc) for £1400, which is just over half of what he paid less than a year ago. Now the thing hasn't been dropped, it's hardly likely to be worn out (maybe a chain if you want to be really picky) and it looks lovely. If you can get something similar in your price range that lets you move up a range - say 105, maybe Ultegra, nicer wheels, etc. In excnage for what? 10 months of wear, odd scuffmarks here and there and some polish to the handlebar tape. No big deal, especially as in another year you won't tell the difference.