Competitive Cyclists has two bikes on close-out that I am considering.

Bike "A" is the 2009 BMC Road Racer SL01 with updated 2010 Rival group and Easton EA50 SL wheelset for $1700.

Bike "B" is the 2007 Ridley Excalibur with "vintage" 2010 Rival group and Easton EA50 SL wheelset for $1650.

Right now I'm riding a 2007 Motobecane Le Champ SL, with an older SRAM Force group and Ritchey WCS Protocol wheelset. This has become my daily commuter and all around go-to bike. The level of componentry on my current bike seems to be about the same as that of the two bikes I'm considering, and is perfectly adequate for my purposes.

Basically, I'm looking for a stiffer, more agile machine for fast, fair-weather weekend riding.

I'm leaning toward the Excalibur, because of Ridley's reputation for durability, and because I've never owned a carbon frame. OTOH, the BMC has the funky quasi-integrated seatpost design, internal cable routing, and that overall industrial aesthetic, which I also find appealing.

In my opinion, the two bikes are functionally going to be very similar, which is why I'm offering this up for public dissemination.

BTW, I weigh 185 lbs and am more of a masher than a spinner.

Any comments or opinions would be welcomed.