I hate to do this to everyone but I am truly stumped here. I have narrowed my decision down to a Cannondale R5000 and Felt F2C. Both Dura Ace. Felt is full carbon. Same price. I test rode both and really loved the look of the F2C. It was very smooth and dampened any vibration. The Cannondale was very fast and stiff, love the wheelset. My main concern is the strength or durability of the full carbon frame. I am 6'1'' 260lbs...injured knees...football. I ride hard and dont want to spend 2500 and wish I had the other one. The LBS said that the carbon is as strong as anything out there and for me not to worry. I really push the bike hard and it felt stiff enough for me, although not as stout as the C'dale. I like them both and feel like I will get the most bang out of the Felt as far as features. Is a full carbon bike like the F2C practical for a heavy weight recreational/ exercise rider. Do any of the carbon frames have weight limits that would void the warranty? I hat these threads too, but I need to hear feedback from experienced roadies like ya'll. Thanks.

I hate to do this to everyone but I am truly stumped here. I have narrowed my decision down to a Cannondale R5000 and Felt F2C. Both Dura Ace. Felt is full carbon. Same price. I test rode both and really loved the look of the F2C. It was very smooth and dampened any vibration. The Cannondale was very fast and stiff, love the wheelset. My main concern is the strength or durability of the full carbon frame. I am 6'1'' 260lbs...injured knees...football. I ride hard and dont want to spend 2500 and wish I had the other one. The LBS said that the carbon is as strong as anything out there and for me not to worry. I really push the bike hard and it felt stiff enough for me, although not as stout as the C'dale. I like them both and feel like I will get the most bang out of the Felt as far as features. Is a full carbon bike like the F2C practical for a heavy weight recreational/ exercise rider. Do any of the carbon frames have weight limits that would void the warranty? I hat these threads too, but I need to hear feedback from experienced roadies like ya'll. Thanks.

Go with your gut instict. Carbon resista fatigue better than Alum. ("They" say carbon does not fatigue.) Check out the warrantee though, might be prudent to go with a bike with a good warrantee, given your 260. A riding buddy is 240, and when his Alum. trek 2300 cracked, it was covered. He upgraded to a 5500 carbon after that.
Also, go with a sturdiy wheelset.

Go with your gut instict. Carbon resista fatigue better than Alum. ("They" say carbon does not fatigue.) Check out the warrantee though, might be prudent to go with a bike with a good warrantee, given your 260. A riding buddy is 240, and when his Alum. trek 2300 cracked, it was covered. He upgraded to a 5500 carbon after that.
Also, go with a sturdiy wheelset.

Let the warranty and wheelset be your guide. At 260 lbs., stay away from low spoke count lightweight wheels at all costs.

I agree, if you're gonna break one frame, you'll break the other, too. The wheels are key for you at 260#. But remember, you're not going to be at that weight for long if you ride the bike, then you don't have to worry about stressing the frame as you get lighter. Get good 36 spoke wheels and have at it! I'd go with the one that feels the best and if it were me, I'd probably be swayed by whichever looks better.

I went with the R1000 after a long process. I am riding for mostly just exercise. I read that the DA components actually did not hold up as well over time as the Ultegra comp. The price diff was only $600.00. Believe it or not the LBS told me to save some money and that I'd be just as happy on the r1000. I got the black, will be here in a week!!!!Can't wait

I went with the R1000 after a long process. I am riding for mostly just exercise. I read that the DA components actually did not hold up as well over time as the Ultegra comp. The price diff was only $600.00. Believe it or not the LBS told me to save some money and that I'd be just as happy on the r1000. I got the black, will be here in a week!!!!Can't wait

Dura Ace bikes are for show-offs (I have one), but the components are easily as durable and reliable as the lower Shimano component groups. You shouldn't believe everything you read and don't trust lbs employees any farther than you can throw them (which could be pretty far in your case ;) ). My completely manufactured statistic: If all Shimano component groups sold for the same price, 99% of Shimano customers would use Dura Ace on their road bikes.

I think the R1000 is actually a very solid choice though. Dura Ace doesn't really give you $600 of increased quality and functionality over Ultegra, in my opinion.