I have ridden a Trek Madone about 45 miles, an old Specialized Allez that had the carbon tubes connected by aluminum lugs about 30 miles and test ridden a Specialized Tarmac. I have a friend who opened up a bike shop that has been trying to sell me on carbon, I did a test ride on one of his new Raleigh Militis 1 a few weeks ago. I love the old steel Raleigh's and so part of me wanted to like it but in the end it was 'meh'. I also have ridden a steel Bianchi ?something? and a steel Pinarello Trevisio, each with carbon forks. The Bianchi had a Nashbar carbon fork . Those were okay on the flat straight sections but I always felt that I needed to take extra precaution on the winding down hills.

That said, I realize I am becoming more aware and much more picky about wheels. On my old Raleigh Grand Prix I rode the original wheels and it was okay. About what you would expect for a 30 year old entry level bike. I borrowed my Mavic Cosmos wheels from the Cannondale I had for the Grand Prix and the bike came alive like it never had before. Suddenly it was an amazing ride with a 10 times better handling. After experimenting and riding friends bikes for the past year and a half, making various comparisons I think I may have found what is for me the ultimate frame/wheel combination, I really can't imagine a better feel to the ride I have now. I have a steel, early to mid-90's Olmo San Remo with 03/04 Chorus drive system, 03 Record hubs with Ambrosio rims. Riding it is a dream...so far. I just finished it last Friday and so there is of course the honeymoon effect. I have been without my own bike for the last year and a half and have been fortunate enough to have friends with extra bikes who were also kind enough to lend me one.

I dont really want to buy a bike to test if i will like the road bike experience. The last years I only did tarmac on my mtb. So Im pretty sure I will like it.

Thanks for your opinion, I will take a look on the caad 10.

I don't know what the reasoning behind that comment. But I can tell you I've ridden different bikes had a different feel.

Maybe I've explained myself incorrectly. English isnt my native language :-)

What I meant is I dont need to buy an entry level bike to see if I will like the switch to a road bike. I dont see why I wouldnt. With my mountain, I was only on the road for the last few years. But its too slow.

I also would prefer going to a better bike, no hassle in selling and switching to a better bike.

I think there is sound logic in getting a CAAD10-type alu bike with decent components and then spending the saved money over the Evo-type bike for a better wheelset. We all know how much a high-end wheelset can improve a ride.

The derailer may not be able to shift an 11-32. The majority of road bike derailers are short cage ones that max out on a 28t cog. Touring or MTB derailers shift bigger cogs.

Another gearing consideration: the cranks. 11-28 can be tough on hills when paired with "standard" 53/39 cranks. I have this setup on my steel race bike, and I struggle on steep hills. A "compact" double or a triple front cog could climb steep hills more easily.

Understood, english isnt my native language either.

When I mean try a cheaper one is because between road bikes there are different types. Aero, comfort, race, climb etc. You won't know which type you prefer until you've done a couple thousand miles and your body has adapted to your type of riding. I now ride a $4k roubaix (which is a great bike) but I wish I would have saved up, waited and gotten myself the Venge I really want after knowing my type of riding (sprinter). Thing is I dont have that money anymore because I blew it on a racing cruiser.

Anyways, that is something you will figure out and a lot of people dont really care about that. They can ride anything fast (including hybrids) if they really train for it.

Thanks for your advice. This is really something to consider.

LOL at the grammar in that post. I guess I was sleepy or something when I wrote that. :O