I know "venge vs tarmac" handwringing is a very tired discussion so I apologize for rekindling it. I absolutely loved my tarmac. I test rode a venge a couple years ago and never had the "aah love" feeling, and no reason to switch from the tarmac. For want of a better word, the venge just didn't feel as lively. I don't want to place too much weight on my test ride impressions because the wheels, exact fit, etc were different, but on the other hand, that seems like a common reaction when comparing the two.

But, I am just about to pull the trigger on a new non-vias venge frame for racing next year. I expect to race maybe 20 crits and 2 RRs next season, no climbers' races at all. I don't care at all about half a pound -- at a pound I'd start to care. I understand the reasoning that aero matters more over longer durations, but I figure there's no way to win a crit without being in the wind for at least some of it. Bike handling matters, but I can't imagine the venge handling is actually bad, just maybe not as responsive feeling as the tarmac.