I was in the same situation as you were last year. I took both bikes out for a ride and liked the carbon elite better. However, did not know if it warranted the difference in price. I chose to just suck it up and buy the carbon frame as it seems to always burn me when I try to save a little and dont go with truly what i want. Went to one of the LBS and they had the elite on sale for $1450 and the alum frame one for $1250. With the gap closed the decision was far easier and I scored the carbon framed elite. I have no regrets what so ever. Did a metric century and the bike was comfortable the entire ride and I was able to pump out a pretty good pace. The components are 105s and have worked great for me so far, and the reseach i have done on the wheel set (as everyone has told me as well the first thing to upgrade is wheelset), though a little heavy, are supposedly very durable and good wheels...surely something i can ride on for a couple of years until my milage and speed gets to a point where the wheel set may actually slow me down. With that said, you cant go wrong with either bike. I really enjoy my Roubaix and it was instrumental in turning a recreational activity into an obsession...I love to ride now. Good luck with your purchase...and i too liked the feel and ride of the Roubaix over the C-dales and treks i tried...cant really explain it either...but once i road the roubaix the only queston was which model. Again, you cant go wrong with either and here is to years of good riding.