Quote Originally Posted by Zen View Post
Ride then decide.
+1 Choose a bicycle that feels good and puts a smile on your face when you ride it.

That being said, I can comment on the '09 Coda Sport. I've had mine about 6 months and it never fails to delight. The steel frame-while admittedly heavier than aluminum-handles rough roads beautifully. It shifts smoothly and the gearing enables it to buzz right along with ease. In my opinion, it's a quality bike that is worth every penny. I like it so much, in fact, that I just bought a Jamis Aurora (touring) bike.

On the other hand, I'm a recreational/fitness rider only. If you are considering competition, you might want to purchase a drop bar road bike with a lighter frame. Hopefully other competitive riders will have other hints for you. Good luck with your goals, and let us know what you choose.