New Rider: 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 vs 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10 3

[MGM]

First of all, not all carbon is created equal. Some carbon bikes are better quality and, therefore, more comfortable than others. So if you rode them both and they are both comfortable to you, than carbon .

Agree, there are differing qualities of carbon used in bike frames. The OP could research that if she decides to go with the Madone.

Second of all, you CAN change the frame. You can change anything you want on a bike. My bike has been a evolution of changing parts, slowly over time. It used to be a CAAD9 frame with Dura Ace and, over time every single part of my bike has been changed out. I now have a Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Red. And before that CAAD9 frame, it was a CAAD8 frame and belonged to my husband. And before that CAA8 frame with DuraAce, it was some other lower level Cannondale with some other group set. He slowly upgraded the components and then changed out the frame last.
So don't choose the bike just on the frame, thinking you can change the group set and other components, but not the frame.

Lol, I was waiting for someone to say that. Of course you can change out a frame. You can change anything and everything on a bike, if you have the money and/or the know-how. But people don't go looking to buy a bike thinking that they're going to swap the frame out. They're looking for the right frame, the one that's comfortable and a good fit. Components are likely to be swapped out first as they need replacement.

I do envy you for having such a handy husband, DuraAce AND SRAM Red, lucky you! I'm taking it that you prefer the SRAM?

[Jiffer]

Also, not all aluminum is created equal. I rode a CAAD 10 (the 5) and it felt better than the Specialized Roubaix I tested (it was probably built for someone who outweighs me by 30 pounds; Spec does size-specific carbon layup, apparently; it cornered like a brick). The guy at the shop said that it rode about as well as the SuperSix (the carbon version of the frame) for much less money. My next bike might well be a CAAD 10.

I haven't ridden a CAAD10, but the difference between my CAAD9 and SuperSix is quite different. SuperSix has a substantially smoother feel IMHO. I don't know what changes they may have made to the CAAD10 that makes it a smoother ride . . . or if maybe the LBS guy didn't know what he was talking about. Just giving my two cents.

I still vote for the CAAD10 bike over Madone, though.