So I'm just getting into biking and don't know much about it. As for the type of use.. I'm planning on doing a sprint tri in a few months (and will hopefully keep doing a race every so often) and I'll probably try to do a decent ride at least once a week.. hopefully two. I don't see myself competitively racing as much as just enjoying jumping on the bike Saturday morning and going for a good ride. And even if I'm racing, I don't care if my wheels weigh that extra little bit lighter to help my time a few seconds. I'm mostly concerned with comfort, durability, quality, and a good smooth ride.

I looked at Trek's and Specialized, and from what it seems (from what the sales guys were saying), I should try to at least to get the carbon fork (easing the ride some without adding a huge price tag of a whole carbon frame) and get 105 components (quality parts that shouldn't need as much replacing or maintenance as the step below).

So with that said, I was looking at the Trek 2.1 or the Specialized Elite Compact (both 2010). Both are about the same price (Trek ~$70 more, which doesn't make a difference to me) and both have the important carbon fork and 105 components (from what I've been told).

From what I've learned in my 24 hours of research, I know it seems which ever feels better on a test ride is probably the one to go with. But aside from that, can anyone give some advice on which they think is a better bike? Are there other bikes with other companies that you would recommend over these two bikes that are within the same class? Also, more broadly, am I missing anything important (with regards to important parts I'm missing.. or maybe I'll be buying with these two options that I won't be needing) with the type of biking I'll be doing? Any more advice and/or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.