Road bike choice: Trek Pilot 5.0, Specialized Sequoia Comp, or ?

[Trek420]

These are all great bikes.

I'd seriously consider some of the smaller manufacturers. In a sea of virtualy identical Trek/Specialized/Cannondale bikes (again, love them, love what they are doing for cycling, would love to have one, would not turn any of them down, not critical of them in any way) look into the smaller companies.

For carbon I have major Calfee envy. My cousin and his partner have Calfee road bikes and a Calfee tandom and they love 'em. Also have heard great things about Aegis (sp?).

As for feeling every bump in the road I love my steel frame. With a lot of bikes you choose speed, comfort, light frame pick any two.

With Mondonico (or her more-often-seen sister-frame Torelli bikes) I get all 3.

What I don't pay for is marketing, hype, major team sponsors so I thought I got more bike for my buck.

I know where I live there are a lot more choices. Some areas you get the company your LBS stocks. But look around, there are so many wonderful small companies and these bikes really stand out and are worth finding.