Bike shopping- help me narrow the choices for an upgrade to carbon, 105

[LivetoRide]

The bike one should buy is whichever one that fits them. If more than one fits, start looking more closely at componentry (did they skimp somewhere, compare stock wheelsets, etc.) and which you like the looks of more.

Try not to worry so much about "endurance" vs. "race" bikes as it's mostly a marketing thing. It's smart to look at each bikes geometry charts but remember that flipping a stem or swapping out stems could turn a more race oriented bike into a more endurance oriented bike with less saddle-to-bar drop.

You may even feel that it'd be worth it to do a fitting on a fit bike to dial in what geometry you should be looking for in your next bike.

Also, although harder to find, I wouldn't rule out Sram quipped bikes. Apex is their lower end (think 105) but Sram componentry is also cheaper so you may even find Rival in your price range. I've not been inpressed with Shimano's "new 105" (or really, any of their stuff these days and I was totally a Shimano person before) as the plastic shifting levers require quite a bit more power to move, and becasue the plactic is so thin now (cost-saving I guess) which even resulted in a fairly sharp edge. Unlike Shimano, Sram shifters can be rebuilt (like Campy) and they can be adjused to better fit those who have trouble shifting due to having smaller hands. All one with smaller hands can do with Shimano shifters is to insert a small "shim" but with Sram you can adjust the entire lever setup. My next bike will most defiantly have Sram (I have the "old style" 105 right now).

Have fun finding your next bike!

Crazycanuck- I too, have been drooling over a Focus bike or two!