I have an '06 CAAD8 and I'll be taking it to my grave with me. Absolutely love it...still!!!

Thoughts on Cannondale? I think we will se some lower end bikes showing up in wal mart due to new ownerships track record.

I have a 09 CADD 9, and it is comfortable. In fact it's more comfortable than my 08 Bianchi carbon.
I don't feel bent over, which is a good thing for this 48 year old body. If set up properly, the CADD 9 is a joy to ride, carbon is nice, but to be honest, the Cannondale is great for long rides.Yes, i didn't flip the stem, it fits me to a tee.

If you're worried about what anyone would say while you're spinning along on a kid's toy with its seat jammed up your butt, clippity-cloppity shoes, a superhero costume, and a plastic mushroom on your head, you've chosen the wrong sport. ;)

OK, so maybe that was a somewhat juvenile/immature comment about worrying what other people will think. Unfortunately their are tons and tons of elitists in this sport, and this forum for that matter, and I think a lot of people think the same things I did. Thank you all for your opinions and comments. Hopefully I will be able to try a Synapse, Six, and CAAD9 so I can make an educated decision. My biggest thing is that I just want a frame that will last so I can grow with it, and just upgrade wheels/components in years to come. Sounds like any of those bikes will do the trick. I understand the concern of some people with me going carbon at my weight, but it's not like I will be hucking off of stuff, and I will pretty much be on straight up blacktop roads. I also am still trying to lose weight, so I don't plan on riding this bike at 300lbs for long. As a matter of fact I am down to 297 this week. I'm hoping to be about 275 by the time I actually purchase the bike. I will say the carbon dropouts worry me a bit on the Six, but the Six also seems to be in between the Synapse and the CAAD9 in price/components/geometry/etc. Will definitely have to try out all three. I will probably try a Fuji Roubaix Pro and Team also.

You make a very good point, one that most of us (myself included) have fallen prey to - for the most part it's human nature to be concerned about other's opinions (or what we think their opinions are), whether it's with bikes, cars, golf clubs, bowling balls, whatever..... My first bike had to be carbon, I picked an 06 Giant TCR 1, and I rode it a lot before doing my first group ride.... When I showed up on that ride there were guys riding 1990's steel and aluminum, there was no way they were going to be able to keep up with me, or so I thought - As I was riding I wondered what their opinion of me was when they were kicking my a## on every hill and sprint along the way. A definate wake up call.
I've never worried about what people think when I show up on my Specialized Roubaix. As long as I'm able to hang with the strongest riders I'm happy.

A good bike shop will sell you the bike you want.
A great bike shop will sell you the best bike that fits your needs, and that you will want to ride lots.
Don't worry about other's opinions.

Good luck!

What a well thought out intelligent response.

Thanks for participating in a thread on a subject about which you obviously know nothing.

If you are buying a frame like a Super Six, you are buying the exact same frame that's being ridden by professionals. Same as a Madone Black or Red, a TCR Advanced, a Scott Addict, yadda. These frames are like sticking a NASCAR engine in your own car. Light parts, high performance, makes a lot of horsepower, but needs a ton of maintenance and will need a rebuild after 600 or so miles.

These are frames that, when used by a pro will wear out in a season.

You are not a pro. You are not riding pro miles or providing the abuse that a pro will. BUt you do need to look at a carbon frame every time you ride it.

If you want something more durable, you get a Madone TCT, or a Cannondale Six type frame.

If you are racing a pro frame, well, there's an old adage that says, "race what you can replace."

Realize that a pro gets whatever they want for free. So the manufacturer's are making a light stiff frame, because that's what they (pros) are looking for. It's the same for components.

Your mileage and your weight should not be a problem. But that's why they say all that stuff. My point to the OP was the weight issue and carbon.