Hi folks,

I'm looking to get a new bike that'll last me awhile (i.e., components are fairly durable and won't become functionally obsolete)... and that won't beat me up too badly. At the moment I've got a pretty nice rig, but it's a 7-year-old aluminum frame and fork. The road shock, particularly high frequency vibration, is becoming a bit too much for my hands and arms.

On to my question: I don't currently race, though I may try my hand at some Masters level races, but I regularly go on 30-70 mile group rides at a pretty good clip (17+ mph average, hilly, WINDY!). I'm trying to decide between CF competition-caliber bikes, such as the Madone or Tarmac, and 'performance' bikes, such as the Pilot or Specialized Roubaix Pro. The former framesets appeal to the testosterone-driven side of me, but the latter appeal to the side of me that's becoming increasingly old and busted. Are the competition-level bikes significantly less forgiving/comfortable, such that if I go that route I may need to go through this exercise again in another 6-7 years? Along the same lines, are the really-high-end components (DA) worth it in the sense that they may be more durable than high-end (Ultegra) components? Would the best option be to spend a ridiculous amount of money and get a custom-fit frame?

Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks!