I'm currently looking for a new bike and these are my shortlist. Lots of reasons why each could work for me but also appreciate that they are quite different bikes. Thus: thought I'd open the question to the genius of BF :
what type of riding/rider would suit each of them?
Why would you own one over the others?

All thoughts appreciated (& prepared to get a bonus ethics lesson along the way if need be)

you forgot this question:

how much are you interested in spending? I realize the CAAD10 can be had in mechanical dura-ace 7900, but I doubt many people buy one. so I doubt this is a tale of three bikes all in the same price range.

Fair question. The CAAD would be cheaper - although not much as I'd spec it pretty highly. That said, forget about the budget for a moment and think about the riding style/purpose. I'll spend more or less once I decide what I want.

What suits what?

How about instead of expecting someone here to write an essay regarding the use of road bikes, you just tell us what kind of riding you're interested in. And your budget. Then you can get some useful recommendations.

I can understand where you're coming from, but that's hard to do. I ride an R3, which is the same price as an S2. I'd be on an R5 (analogous to an S5) if money was no issue. So my answer is that the S2 and S5 are very similar, both bought and ridden by the same basic type of rider as far as style and purpose go, but that the S2 is for the more budget conscious among them.

Ironically, though, I think a lot of people in this forum would prefer to race an S2 vs an S5, because crashes are more likely in a race than a solo ride, and, again, because of budget reasons to do with replacing the bike.

Ok, can do. Just to be clear though, I'm not after an essay and just wanted views on the relative merit/purpose of the bikes - without knowing what I'd use them for. Sort of a blind test. Anway, if thats too hard, here's my background.

Ride mostly alone on roads of average quality. Enjoy longer rides (100km+) when I can.
Occasional weekly club road races during the season
Occasional triathlon at mostly sprint/Olympic distance but also do occasional 70.3 or IM distance

Looking for a bike for all of the above. Have had TT bikes before (additional to a roadie) but have sold them all and just want one bike now. Prepared to spend $3-4000 but happy to spend less for the right bike. Don't mind getting modest wheels as I'll probably get a second pair later.

thoughts?

thanks man. thats the kind of advice I'm after. The S2 and CAAD are similar $$ but I'm mightly tempted by the S5 with all its new design tech. seems like a good bike for me as an occasional triathlete too. All said and done, a well-specced S2 is a pretty fine bike and thats probably where I'll end up.

S2 Rival for $1800 with the Share the Ride deal is the obvious choice, act fast before it ends this week!

Thanks for the pointer but I think that deal is US only and I'm in Australia. I haven't seen STR here at all. Shops are discounting the 2011 stock (which is now looking WAY overpriced) but nothing like the STR. S2 Rival is $3300 here - AND our dollar is still stronger than yours. No wonder we all get twitchy on Ebay or CC.

Seems like a strange comparison to me, two aero- carbon-frame bikes and one not-aero aluminum-frame bike. Is there a particular reason you are considering the CAAD, or are you just trying to appease the fanboys on this site?

I've always liked the CAAD - and the Cervelo S1. I'd probably go for an S1 if I could find one I liked actually. But appreciate your point - they're different bikes.

I have an S1. I would have bought an S2 if had the money at the time.

There's a lot of nice bikes in the price range you are shopping in. Are you set on only Cervelo or Cannondale? Visit your LBS and test ride a bunch! I myself have a s-works tarmac SL3, and a Cervelo S2 (couldn't resist the STR deal)

With what you've shared, I'd look for a Synapse. It's comfortable enough for long rides and I heard some pros use it for racing.

For anything else, I never rode a Cervello, but you really can't go wrong with a CAAD.

CAAD10 is a great bike, can't go wrong with it.

S2 and spend the left over $ on power and/or killer wheelset

The S5 is clearly the fastest bike for solo and triathlon riding. If that's what you want/ride, you can't beat it's aero benefits.

The CAAD10-4 with a nice pair of deep section wheels. If your more interested in Tri's...then an S2 with deep wheels. Your price range will only get you the S5 frame.

s5.

I'd buy the CAAD and some nice wheels. The aero benefits of the frames are minor.

I agree with this. You also need to budget for clipon aerobars (my recommendation) or an integrated TT/tri bar.

The bike isn't going to win or lose you the race. Having a budget for a good skinsuit, aero helmet, power meter and so on is critical. Don't buy the S5 unless you can buy all that stuff on top of it.

Yea...Mr. L here said it better than I. There's other stuff you'll probably want, it's good to make room in the budget.

I have an alu Soloist ... I think it's basically the same thing as an S1. It's a faster bike than my R3, at least on the flat. I got mine used because I needed a metal bike for commuting (to lock up outside the office ), but I'd prefer to have an S2 if it were possible and as cheap.

For the OP, one thing that bothers me about the S5 is that the frame itself is split out into several different versions. You can get the "bottom of the line" one at a price that's still pretty high, or spend another $1,500 or so to get the really nice one. Difference is 'only' 270 grams between the S5 frames, but, still, that's very annoying in such an expensive bike. But, I don't think the S5 is much more aerodynamic than the S2, and if it were my money (and budget) I'd go with the S2 and better wheels and components over the S5.

Also, I really love my R3.

The CAAD 10 is a great do all bike, for either the recreational cyclist or the racer on a budget. I had a CAAD 9, with Rival and a BB30 crank. It was one of my favorite bikes. That said, I would have bought an S2 if I could have, but there was like a $1400 difference in the MSRP at the time.

The s2 and s5 are really race machines. Obviously you can do whatever you want with your money, and ride a $10,000 bike to the coffee shop.

Yeesh. Do you guys even read what the OP has written? He wants one bike that he can use for club racing and for tis.

In what way, shape or form is the CAAD10 better suited for this than the S5 or, if budget doesn't allow, an S2?