So this might be a dumb post but it's not a 'which bike should I buy'.

I am looking at moving to carbon from a 2005 Trek 1500 with full 105 and upgraded wheels, and have a couple of questions.

1) My shortlist is Roubaix, Defy, Synapse, but I also want to look at the Z5, 566, and RS, M1, and my first question is how do you find those non-mainstream bikes (Z5,566,RS,M1) in the right size for a test ride?? Short of driving 30-60 miles to find shops that might have your size, I'm wondering if there is any trick to finding demos. The big brands are easy enough but not sure about those smaller ones?

2) Along those same lines I would love to reuse my existing components (assuming 2005 and current 105 are similar), and just buy a frame, but even worse than above, how do you guys know what frame you want without testing it out fully equipped?

3) Are there any general differences between the felt/look/cervelo/litespeed models that are significant (i.e., one is particularly stiff or is known to absorb more road noise, etc.) and would a professional bike fit rule some of them out automatically?

Happy to hear any advice from experienced buyers.

To find bikes to test in your size you just gotta call. 30-60 miles ain't bad. My problem was most LBS had pretty limited stock. So I had to use on-line fit calculators and test what was available and make a decision.

Heck the M1 with new SRAM Rival can be had for $1548 including shipping. You could buy the bike complete assembed pretty much ready to ride and just sell your other bike complete or else part it out. Then you'd have the complete bike = warranty from a reputable company like CC.

I read a lot about different bikes in this price range. Availability and price made my decision the M1. I'm assuming the ride on the carbon frame will be good and that any of them would ride well. That's an assumption I made and I'm willing to accept the risk. But my bike will be here today and I'll be climbing hills with it this evening. You can overthink this, you know.

Lol..yes..definitely agree it can be over-thought. Also agree that 30-60mi isn't bad but the issue I have is the same as you mentioned, it would be to look at one size that is usually not mine for any given brand. Although I realize after reading our posts that I can probably just make a trip to Boulder, CO and find more options than just in Denver. Just have to commit the day to it. I saw that M1 in your other post and can't wait to here your road report. It was one of the reasons I added Litespeed to my list. I can get the frame from CC for $700 and swap all of my components over for another $100 and call it a day. I just don't want to jump into that without at least a few test rides.

If you just buy the frame, are you going to tear your current bike down and build the new one up, or pay a shop to do it for you? You're going to sell the old frame, right?

I've had a Cervelo RS for a year. It's very comfortable, for a lot of reasons: the carbon, the geometry, the curved, thin seat stays, etc. But it's very very fast, incredibly stiff, and a great descender with stable but good handling. I really can't say enough good things about this wonder frame.

Yes, IF I go the frame only route, I am having the LBS switch over all my gear from the Trek 1500, and then either sell that Trek frame or play with it as a fixed gear or something like that. The RS is definitely on my must ride list.

Do you know what LBS will charge you for that? It's a lot of work. I'm only asking because it probably won't be free, and you should include it in your budget.

Yeah, it's up in my original post. I called my favorite and they said around $100. My component group is full 105 with low mileage, and my wheels are brand new Ultregra/Mavic so I figure that $100 is well spent to salvage the gear.