New (comfortable) "race" bike, Madone 4.7, Specialized Amira

[zoom-zoom]

To some degree, yes. A new stem, a seatpost with a different setback, and a variety of other tweaks can make a difference. How much of a difference it makes depends.

Yup. But it's always better to have the geometry that meets your needs/wants, THEN make minor tweaks. It's one reason I "upgraded" to the SuperSix after a year on the Synapse. The Synapse was a nice bike, but it was more relaxed/upright than what I quickly discovered I really wanted...and the aluminum was killing me on our roads...and I wasn't thrilled with Shimano and wanted to change over to SRAM. So it made sense to start over from scratch.

We have a shop near us that is big and impersonal and very aggressive. Then we have OUR LBS an hour away...we go there and eat cookies and hang out. No pressure. Perhaps I'd prefer a Trek or Specialized or Giant...but those aren't brands our LBS carries. That relationship with a great shop is (in my mind) perhaps AS important as the perfect frame. 'Cause the great shop will help you make those tweaks, not just desperately get you on whatever they have in stock and push you out the door. It's all about service after the sale.

[Owlie]

Yup. But it's always better to have the geometry that meets your needs/wants, THEN make minor tweaks. It's one reason I "upgraded" to the SuperSix after a year on the Synapse. The Synapse was a nice bike, but it was more relaxed/upright than what I quickly discovered I really wanted...and the aluminum was killing me on our roads...and I wasn't thrilled with Shimano and wanted to change over to SRAM. So it made sense to start over from scratch.

We have a shop near us that is big and impersonal and very aggressive. Then we have OUR LBS an hour away...we go there and eat cookies and hang out. No pressure. Perhaps I'd prefer a Trek or Specialized or Giant...but those aren't brands our LBS carries. That relationship with a great shop is (in my mind) perhaps AS important as the perfect frame. 'Cause the great shop will help you make those tweaks, not just desperately get you on whatever they have in stock and push you out the door. It's all about service after the sale.

I agree completely. OP, I'd exhaust your other options and leave the Trek unless nothing else works.

[Susi]

I looked at the Cervelo RS today but my LBS said even the smallest RS will be too big for me. (My legs are quite short, I guess)

I hope I get a chance to try out the SuperSix, and it'll probably come done to either that or the Amira...

[brigada]

Oops, I didn't even realize how old this thread was before replying!