I have two road bikes.

Bianchi Piaggio
Specialized E5

The Piaggio is my more layed back ride when I'm not out for a hammer-fest. The ride is also noticably smoother than the E5 thanks to the steel frame.

The E5 is my all-out speed machine. I sacrificed some comfort for the racier feel of the bike. The sharper handling, light weight and stiffer frame, wheels and cranks make the bike accelerate faster and it feel more responsive than the Piaggio.

I did have a cannondale but it was passed onto my cousin as a present. The bike rode well, I would say a little bit harsher than the specialized. The only thing was the wheels, those Gippieme(or whatever) wheels were heavy as sin and compared with my specialized it was like trying to turn a lead rimmed wheel.

The Piaggio isn't my beater bike or anything like that incase I implied that in any way.