I tried the Felt and Giant last year when I was in the market. I liked the Felt a lot, and was set to buy it until I made a last-minute LBS stop that turned into an extended test ride of a Cannondale Synapse 5 Alloy (alum frame, carbon fork, 105). It ended up being the one that "spoke to me." You might try one if you're open to enlarging the pool.