Road bike frame? which one?

[Mari]

Im new to the sport of road cycling and although Id like to expand upon that (try some tours and races) I have yet to decide whether to invest in an alumminum or carbon frame bike. Ive already decided that I want to invest in a "no-name" bike, need a triple chain, components are trivial actually. Ive read (and tested) that carbon frame bikes are lighter but I'd like to know what other people think about the difference between investing in a frame. Which one have you chosen to and why? Which would you reccomend. I suppose it'd be a good idea to state my longterm goal (at least as far as I can see it)... definitely switching over to road cycling as a lifetime fitness sport. Not very interested in competition. I just really want to participate in tours and races as an individual goal.