As some of you already know, I've set my heart on riding with the American Lung Association across the country next year. As such, I'm using it as a great excuse to get a new bike, especially since I will be unloading my mountain bike.

So far I've been on three bikes for a test ride:

Co-Motion Nor'Wester (Steel-- probably set me back about 3 and a half grand with Ultegra)
Steelhead custom Titanium (more like 4 grand with meh parts)

and the biggest surprise came this afternoon when I rode a Cannondale CAAD10 Dura-Ace. I was not expecting such amazingness from aluminum, but wow.

I definitely enjoyed the Co-motion. It had a bit more heft, but I felt confident that it would be a sweet, comfortable ride for the duration of the trip.

The Ti bike was most excellent. I rode that thing with a huge-azz smile on my face and it rode like butter. The problem is that it comes at a premium. With Shimano 105, it rings in at $4000 (weeee!)

Today I wound up talking to a very nice young (hot) retired pro racer at my favorite shop and he plugged hard for the CAAD 10. He just bought one for himself as his retirement from cycling/in school bike. The bike weighed in at just 16 lbs fully equipped with dura ace componentry and some stock wheels of some kind (I'd sell those and get my own). I wheeled around on that thing and winged corners like I never had before. It is incredibly fast. Even without a fit it was more comfortable than my carbon Trek.

The beauty of this bike, though, is that I can replace my carbon Trek too.

I'm not sure I'd build it up with Dura Ace. For my money, I'd rather have full Ultegra and get some really nice wheels with very pretty Chris King hubs

Here's the specs:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...ad/2011-caad10

I think I was mostly surprised by how comfortable I was on a non-women's specific frame design. The handlebars were a bit wide, but they said they'd swap them out no problem.

Anyway, the guy felt confident that I would thankful for a bike like that on the climbs, even if it was a little less smooth and buttery on the road. He felt that good wheels and the right saddle and perfect fit would help quell discomfort issues anyway.

Unloading both my current bikes and upgrading my road sounds very appealing too. Lots to think about and I'd love for you guys to weigh in!