The roads are mostly pretty good, but there are some awful sections. I have an RS now, and appreciate the smooth ride. The R3 is definitely the closest to that. ( I think it's ever so slightly more "harsh," and the bike shop says it's because the seat stays aren't curved, so they don't compress a little like a spring. ) The S2 didn't feel terrible, but it does less to dampen the road buzz.

I'm leaning pretty heavily toward the R3, and will probably make up my mind tomorrow. I appreciate hearing your experience, Sstorkel! And I wish they had 48 hour test rides for me!

A thread in the road forum had someone talking about having bought a bike, and the guy never got used to its handling, felt like it was twitchy until he sold it a year or two later. Any thoughts how often that happens? I guess that's a different way of asking whether feeling more confident on the R3 is the trump card that should make the decision for me? It feels sure footed like a mountain goat, and right ... and has faster and tighter steering.