Jamis makes a very nice frame....I had recently brought an 06 Ventura elite with the rear carbon stays.....I did not notice that much difference in ride between that and my CAAD9 ........ but it was not bad either. Needless to say the frame was a bit big for me and I wound up giving the bike to a fried that is a tad taller and it fits him like a glove. I retrospec, I should have spent a bit more $$$ and gotten a Quest.