I was also looking at the CAAD8 7 Sora however is the frame actually that much better? Not a big fan of red and will not ride a white framer soo... I have not road the Cannondale yet and since the LBS has both the raleigh and cannondale I will check it out. Not too worried about the whole downshift in drops since I spend little to no time there. thanks for that advice though I'll check those others out as well.