Which bike should I get? I hear a lot of good things about the CAAD9... a lot of people on here own one. The TCR Alliance seems to have gotten very good reviews, though I've read by a couple people it isn't the most comfortable bike at times. However, by going with Giant... I can stick with the same LBC I've been goign to for years now, which has been very good to me. Or I can go with the CAAD9 which seems like a sure thing... So what should I do? Sell out and go with cannondale? Or stay faithful to the people who have taken care of me? Or the more important question... which is the better bike?

I have an Alliance. I can't compare it to a CAAD, since no one around here has them, but I've found it quite nice on the rides I've taken it on. Noticeably more comfortable than the all-aluminum bikes I tried.

I'm probably biased, owning and selling Giant every day, but the TCR is a really nice bike. I'm sure the CAAD9 is too, but I'd go for the TCR. I've test rode one once or twice, was quite nice. The advanced though, not the alliance.

I had this exact dilemma about a month ago.
My LBS carries both the C-dale, and the Giant.

I went with the TCR Alliance. It felt more lively, and more comfortable to me. When I cranked on the pedals, it just sprang to life much more than the CAAD9. I could tell that the CAAD9 was very efficient and was a very fast bike. But I don't think I lost any efficiency by going with the TCR, and I got a bunch more comfort and a 'feel' that I really love.
It's now a month and 300 miles later, and every time I get on the TCR, my decision is confirmed. It's just a great riding bike. I can mash up a hill and there is NO flex. Sprint out of the saddle...no flex.
But it's more comfortable over rough pavement.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for the TCR again.

In my previous post, I gave very subjective info. Let me put it in more concrete/quantifiable terms so that it might help.

Comparing 2009 TCR alliance1 with CAAD9-5

Ride quality: Smoother with TCR
Fit: A wash. C'dale 58cm and Giant M/L both fit well. .
Components: Same. 105's.
'Lively' frame:105 by a mile. CAAD felt fast but totally dead.
Esthetics: Preferred the CAAD9-5 by a mile.
Stability: CAAD felt more twitchy. TCR is more stable.
Cornering: They both hang on in corners and communicate their limits much better than a Fred like me could ever utilize.
Stiffness:I feel no flex in either frame when cranking hard.
Patriotism: Handmade in the USA is one of the sexiest things I could ever hope to see on a bike. So CAAD is the winner here.

Subjective: I've fallen mady in love with the ride that the TCR provides. It was a very close choice between the CAAD9-5 and the Alliance1. I went with the TCR because of my perceived vast ride quality improvement. The CAAD felt dead. The TCR jumped to life like a startled horse when I stomped on the pedals. It cost me a couple hundred $'s more. But it was well worth it. That frame is just awesome. Oh, and it doesn't look quite as bad once you put on black bar-tape and saddle.

My reasons for going with the TCR are very personal. it was the bike that "felt right" to me. Test them both out and see what speaks to you.

I really appreciate your imput on all of this for the few of you who posted. I figured it'd be overwhelmingly in favor for the CAAD9... but I'm now much more heavily leaning towards the alliance...

What made you go with the Alliance one and not the alliance zero if you don't mind me asking? I know there is a $300-$400 price difference... but I don't know if I could live with a 34/50 setup....

Im waiting for the 2010 alliance 0. Going to be built with full rival. CAAD 9-4 has rival/force but tektro brakes ack. I dont wanna upgrade the day after i get a new bike. Will have to wait for giant to release there new stuff and cannondale to get 9-4s to my local dealer.

I've ridden both and I'd consider either one to be "best value" race-oriented bikes. And after riding many additional bikes, I'd consider Giant's Alliance frames to be one of the most under valued designs available. I don't have any scientific evidence of this, just personal experience.

To be fair, isn't the Cannondale Six series a more apples-to-apples comparison?

Any idea what the cost of the 2010 model alliance will be?

Good question.

1)I'm a law school student. I don't have enough money. I lead group rides for my bike shop and have done some work for them. They gave me the bike at cost to them (they even absorbed shipping.) Even then, it was a huge stretch for me to buy this bike.
2) I'm not THAT good of a rider that the difference in components would matter that much. Although I would like the wheelset on the zero.

What's wrong with a 34/50? It's just your standard 'compact double.' I live in very hilly CT so the slightly lower gearing is nice. it took a little bit to get used to (used to have an old road bike with a 54t chainring. Can you say looooooow cadence?), but I like it.

I can't say that I blame you then... cosmetically I think your bike is sharper than the zero...

I'm not the one you asked, but I can answer for me:

They're both 105-level. I live in (ok, next to) the mountains, I'm not really in good cycling shape, and an extra several hundred dollars for a nicer saddle and such didn't appeal to me. The crank on the 1 is an FSA Gossamer MegaExo anyway, so I will likely change it out at some point. If I want a standard double at that point, it's just as easy as sticking with the compact.

In fact, a new crank is less than the price difference between the two. If that's your concern, I'd go with the 1 and pick the crank of your choice. The real answer, of course, is try both and pick the one you like better for the price.

I agree that the C'dale six would be a more apples to apples comparison. the Giant is a great bike, so in the CAAD. I have a CAAD and love mine. I never rode a TCR, only a Specialized Allez. the C'dale was far superior to that bike.

you should definately ride both since its your dime. Pick the one you like best and feel the best fit on. then buy that bike. I can't think you'll go wrong with either one.

The new 2010 TCR Alliance is looking really good. It looks more like the TCR Advanced with the headtube. However, it only comes with Ultegra, I think.

I also looked into the six.

You might find some useful info in the thread I started about it when I was looking.
Here.

The general feeling I got was that, yes the Six is carbon. But it is heavier than the CAAD, has similar geometry, costs a couple hundred more, and has a very heavy fork. So the CAAD seemed like a better deal to me, all else being equal.

That's why it came down to CAAD9-5 vs. TCR Allaince1.

get the CAAD9

Get the TCR.