I'm in the market for a new road bike, but can't decide between a couple of '04 bikes in my price range:
Bianchi Giro ($1500)- carbon seat stays, 105 components, Mavic Cosmos wheelset
Lemond Alpe d'Huez ($1300) - Ultegra components, Bontranger Select wheelset
I've enjoyed the ride of both, but I'm a total newbie to road bikes. I like the fact that both have aluminum frames made in the USA. Carbon seat stays on the Bianchi sounds like that would give it the advantage. Unfortunately, I'm not that experienced with carbon and I'm not sure that I'd be able to differentiate the benefit of carbon seat stays unless I rode a bike for more than the few minutes I get as a test ride from the LBS.
Any thoughts?