I am in the process of replacing my stolen Specialized Ruby right now. I really loved that bike but I will also be trying a Trek Silque and a Cannondale Synapse. They are all carbon frame "endurance" type road bikes- oriented for endurance rather than racing. I tried a Giant Avail but even the XS frame was too big for me without doing some significant "tweaking"- (seat post, maybe stem etc).

If you are on more of a budget, you can find aluminum frame models with the same geometry from Trek (Lexa), Specialized (Dolce) and Cannondale (Synapse, I think).

If you can afford it, carbon is more comfortable than aluminum, even with the carbon fork. When I switched from aluminum to carbon it made a big difference. I ride a lot (about 100 miles/week) but I'm slow.

Sharon