I am buying my first "high-end" road bike and was hoping to get folks thoughts with respect to frame choice. I am fortunate enough to be getting a good deal, so cost is not as big an factor as it might otherwise be in this situation. Most of my riding has been mountain biking in the west and now I'm a flatlander and am taking up the roads and triathlons.

I am trying to choose between an alloy frame with CF fork (with mostly an Ultegra set) and a carbon fiber frame (with 105 or maybe Centaur if I can swing it).

I am 6'3" about 210 and don't have a lot of road experience. Most folks I have spoken with have told me to go with the alloy and the better components, but I recently spoke with a couple guys from bike manufacturers and the were steering me toward the CF. The weight difference between all the options is under a pound. My biggest issues are durability (both normal stresses and crashes) of the CF, ride/feel differences and the value of the better components.

Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

no no never... always buy the better (for you) frame.

If you can, test ride each one on your normal ride.

Absolutely a question with no answer. The bikes in question would be helpful,but in general go with the better frame. The question then is which one is really 'better',not just more expensive.Often the better one is the one that fits and rides best. Nothing wrong with Centaur,and it may be the better deal than ultegra. Durabilty is a stinky fish,and one shouldn't even go there.And, you will get a ton of barnyard stuff when it comes to materials and ride/feel.

carbon rules.

mooooo...

Carbon fiber is strong and stiff. Plus it looks cool . I like it, but only if it fits though

Saab or Volvo.... Ford or Chevrolet.... Nokia or Ericsson....

Buy whatever suits you best, but as a general rule, take a frame you like with bad components instead of a disliked frame with good components.