I think that the best advice is to go to a shop and try out the options. My second piece of advice is to buy a carbon fibre tripod and understand exactly what sort of photography you intend to do and buy an appropriate head.
You are able to knock in a panel pin with a sledge hammer, it is not as good as a small hammer. Buy the right stuff the first time, it is cheaper than selling and buying again. If you need to buy the right bits and you do not have the money, save up for it. How do I know this? I have a great Manfrotto and head that do almost what I want, unfortunately I rarely lug the thing around because it weighs a ton.
I NEED Carbon Fibre legs.
Best of luck. Chris