I bought a CAAD 9 7 recently, I rode equivalent bikes from Trek and Specialized during the test ride process. In the end the CAAD felt the best, and was the best bang for the buck. I've been riding it for 3 weeks straight now (I ride 7.5 miles every morning before work and a longer ride on the weekends) and I really enjoy it, it feels light and responsive, the other manufacturers offerings are more the comfort oriented fit/geomertry at that price level. Also it has the advantage, as several people have pointed out, of being a race quality frame, so if/when I get more serious about it, it will be worth upgrading.