Not experience in owning one but I have riden the Evoke and am totally blown away by it. I mean, it's a 15 pound bike that has a life time replacement deal (not to be under estimated), some very worked out tubes, and it really moves up to speed off the line. It climbs very well too - as does your Cannondale. The BMC I have only taken for a short two lap run on a crit course and it too was pretty nice. I don't know about specs or company replacement of the frame if there are problems - ever, but I do think that I saw them showing up for $1000 at Competitive Cyclist.com which is not to be shrugged off. I have only looked at Salsa Cycles and they are a cool small company, sort of like Ibis was, but I don't believe that their frames will come in at under 2 pounds, so if light weight is your deal with rocket-like acceleration, the Kestrel might be worth a ride. They too, by the way, are a small domestic company like Salsa.