Originally Posted by
ChuBikes
I'm avail to spend $2k on a bike and I know I'm touching borderline to go with either CF or Alu in that price range. But since I've been reading thus far, CF and Alu frames are not that far apart as in weight. See, you guys DO help! Now tomorrow I'm going to test a Felt F5, CAAD10, Specialized Tarmac/Allez ... So do I test ride a Alu first then CF or vise versa?
Test the Allez, then the Tarmac.. same geometry, frame material is the only difference. Then test the F5, but realize that it has a longer top tube than the Spec'es, so don't test the same size (I am a 58 Felt F series, but a 58 Tarmac is too small). Test the CAAD last.
In the price range you are at, buy the F5. It is significantly stronger, as in less flexy and better power transfer, than the Tarmac SL2. I have this from some hours spent playing on both bikes on a Tacx Fortius trainer (in case anyone thinks that I am pulling it from my buttox). I would dare say that the Allez is stiffer than the SL2, but have not tested that specifically. I can say that my Nashbar frame gives better power transfer than the Tarmac SL2.