Bike

[TsPoet]

Carbon frame with lower end components or
Aluminum frame with higher end components?

I've been riding every bike at every LBS within 50 miles. I've found two that I really like:

Specialized Roubais Elite (05 = the 06 Comp components)
Full Carbon, mostly Ultegra with some 105 components. Smooth and comfortable. Lousy flexy wheels. 9 speed triple

Orbea "Lobular"
Mostly Aluminum, carbon seat stays and post and carbon fork. Full Ultegra. 10 speed compact double.

The Orbea is $400 more, but I'd have to buy new wheels for the Specialized. The Orbea is a couple lbs lighter. I also had a lot of pedal stear with the Orbea - but that has to be my fault and I hope I'd learn.

A little about me - used to do singletrack mtb 15 years ago. 2 years ago discovered performance recumbents and road riding. Love to do TTs on my recumbents (they are often allowed). But recumbents are rarely allowed in road races and never in crits. I want to try to race. But, I will *never* win, and probably never get out of citizen's class. I'm 40 and overweight and I haven't ridden an upright bike in 15 years. I want a bike that will help me do as well as I can, without making me look like an idiot on a bike way above my abilities and I don't want to have to buy a new one in a year if I decide I do have some ability.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sue