The most important thing to determine is what you are looking for in a new bike. Do you want it to feel differently from your Giant? Are you going to ride differently on your new bike? Is there a particular kind of geometry that you are interested in?

There are zillions of cool bikes out there. I am happily riding an 8 year old Litespeed Classic. They make nice bikes, as does Merlin. Seven, Serotta and Moots also make great bikes. Lynskeys are made by the original family that founded Litespeed.

As far as carbon goes, the two bikes that interest me at the moment are Orbea and Specialized. I think that the Orbea Orca is gorgeous and the Specialized Roubaix looks like a fabulous, all day bike.

Have a blast!

Joel