I ended up with a Specialized Sequoia, but the Cannondale Synapse Alloy was at the top of my list for a while (ended up going with the better deal at the better shop). For my kind of riding (reasonably fast over long distances), the long wheelbase/relaxed geometry bikes suit me well--you might lose a little nimbleness off the line and around sharp corners, but once up to speed the bike purrs along with the best of them.