I have to admit the new Specialized Allez has a pretty decent ride for an aluminum bike. The hydroformed tubing helps change the game. I am a long time hater of aluminum bikes, at least since the mid 90's models. The extreme vertical stiffness was not worth the loss of weight. I was involved in designing some of these bikes and disliked my own work. Just to make them tolerable we had to fit them out with carbon forks, carbon seat post, Ti stems, etc.. Currently I am switching back and forth from my Look carbon and my vintage Hetchins steel. Both are very different. I would take the carbon for very long rides, the vertical compliance of the carbon is heavenly but the acceleration of the steel bike leaves the carbon lacking.