CAAD10 vs. Specialized Amira Comp

[lsc]

Hello. First post, long time lurker here.
I was hoping to get some opinions on what's the better bike to buy.

Basically I have a rough budget of $2000. For the time being the bike would mainly be used for morning "training"/fitness/casual group rides but one day I'd like to race. I've been riding an old steel frame that weighs as much as drain pipe equipped with 600 and I just desperately want something modern that's better than me to motivate me to ride more (and that will make me go faster up hills). Currently most of my road rides are around 30mi and I like to include some hills, plus I commute on a fixed gear, but if time allows and when I have a roadie I like I'd be getting out on much longer rides on the weekend.

For $AU2000 I can get a demo 2011 Specialized Amira Comp - carbon frame, full Shimano 105, Fulcrum Racing 6 wheelset (research has led me to believe that means a 5 hub paired with a 7 rim).
http://www.specialized.com/au/gb/bc/...01&scname=Road

For $2200 RRP, hopefully less if I shop around (cheapest I've seen advertised is $1800 in another state), I can get a Cannondale CAAD10 - alloy frame, 105 except for the FSA Gossamer Pro BB30 cranks and Tektro R580 brakes, Shimano RS10 wheelset.
http://www.cannondale.com/aus/2011/b...0-womens-5-105

I'm not super fussed about the 105 components as they are more easily replaced/upgraded, and I imagine it would be better than my ancient 600 Ultegra. I have Rival on my cross bike and I don't love it enough to want to fork out the extra for the Rival CAAD10 - having said that if I could get it on special for the same price as the 105 version I'd pick it. The first thing I'd upgrade on either bike is the wheelset.

I know I should probably test ride the CAAD10 but it's really hard finding places to test ride bikes in my size. I've ridden at 48cm 2010 Amira Expert and that felt pretty good (regret not buying that one), and the Cannondale 44cm geo looks similar.

So I guess the question is about the frame... Entry-level carbon vs. top alloy? What would you get? And to throw something else in the equation, is the Supersix worth the extra grand over the CAAD10?

Thank you for your opinion in advance, ladies.

[Owlie]

Oh, I feel you--I'm weighing a CAAD10 (the 105, because Cannondale doesn't have an Ultegra option for the Women's CAAD10) and a Ruby Expert. If you can, go test-ride the CAAD10. How are the roads where you live? Is weight an issue? (Though the CAAD10 is quite light, so it may be a wash.) Are you susceptible to road buzz?

Re the two C'dales: "They" (meaning the Cannondale rep and the bike shop manager) said that if the fit is right, the CAAD10 rides just about as well as the SuperSix for a lot less money.

[zoom-zoom]

Re the two C'dales: "They" (meaning the Cannondale rep and the bike shop manager) said that if the fit is right, the CAAD10 rides just about as well as the SuperSix for a lot less money.

Yup. I went from an aluminum Synapse to a SuperSix. I didn't even look at the CAAD10. Our roads are VERY rough chipseal (when they finally start to get smooth the powers that be have them freshly re-done, so then they absolutely suck for at least another 3 years...bastids!) and I had horrible road buzz issues with my Synapse. If we had mostly smooth asphalt I have a feeling I would have ended up on the CAAD, but men's with Rival. I never got the hang of Shimano's shifting.

Other than frame material, I believe all that sets that CAAD10 and SuperSix apart are material. The geometry is the same.

[Owlie]

Huh, the rep did say he rode on MI's chipseal, though where I don't know. However, it seems like the guys are so much less susceptible to that road buzz.

[tulip]

Easy: whichever one fits you best. If the carbon one doesn't fit, it won't be comfortable to ride no matter what. Personally, I do not like aluminum bikes at all and won't even consider them, so I can't comment on the alu bike (except to say that an alu bike that fits is better than a carbon bike that doesn't).

If they don't fit, can you find some other models to try out? Don't disregard steel, either. There are some really nice steel bikes out there.

[Owlie]

Unless you're planning on racing, see if you can find a Jamis Quest Femme (the other bike on my list). Steel, 105 components, and a pretty reasonable price. I don't know that they have a distributor in Australia, though. Do go with whatever fits you best. Cannondale, at least in my experience, tends to make its bikes with rather long top-tubes. That said, according to the rep, I'm at the high end of the size range (I take 51-54cm WSD bikes--so I do know that it's often hard to find something to test-ride), and differences between the women-specific geometry and the unisex tend to be less as you go up the size range. You may be okay.