CAAD9 for sure. Stiff, responsive, durable, relatively light. That's what I race!

Way too many good bikes out there to get a consensus. I also race an AL Cannondale. I've crashed it 3 times and it has survived each time. Light, stiff, nice handling and they can be found pretty cheaply. I know it works too, because my collar bone is currently broken.

TCW

I built up an aluminum Solist with Easton EC90 Aeros and I am presently leading the Thursday Night Crit Series, so it seems to be working for me. It's stiff, responsive and fast!. To each his own though....

Umm... what does crit stand for?

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Running is a gift.

What size?

I've got a Fuji Rubaix Comp that's aluminum except with carbon fork and seat stays. It's a nice frame for your purpose. It's 56cm. It won't cost you much.

Here is the answer.

Thanks so much for the offer, but not interested in that bike. And, I'm a 54cm.

Learn something new everyday!

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Running is a gift.

I have owned several bikes that are much better than my own ability and recently bought an S1/Soloist Team for rain/crap/dirt/crits and that bike is amazing. I am selling my other two road bikes and sticking with it. So if you want a 54 cm Scott Addict or a 54 CM BMC SLC01 I'll sell you one but for your purpose (and mine as well) go with thS1/Soloist.

Best website ever. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered why people can't just type their damn question into Google. I hope you don't mind, but I'll be using this one a lot in the near future.

+1 on the CAAD9. I think that's the perfect crit bike. Stiff, responsive, not too expensive. Don't think you'll find a new one for $500, though. Soloist is a good choice as are the Fuji and aluminum from Giant of Specialized, too.

Google Alan. You may find something to your liking.

Finally, Planet-X has their aluminum frameset on clearance at $375. I've never ridden it, but it looks like a great deal.

+2 on the CAAD9. I bought one back in 2007. Light, good geometry, stiff and cheap. I cut the "lawyer tabs" off the front fork with a Dremel tool and it was ready to go. Yeah sure it doesn't feel like carbon and you might marginally feel less "fresh" after a 80 mile road ride but screw it. You won't cry when you lay it out in a hard turn at 33 MPH behind a pile of broken carbon and weeping riders trying to figure where they will find the $3K+ to replace their frame when you are looking at a few hundred. If you don't crash valiantly at least once a year you are either not racing enough or riding aggressively enough. The math changes a little once you start riding Pro/1/2 events.

http://www.fortframes.com/

Leader bikes. Or, better yet, buy a used Cannondale. Then be a man and race it as a 54x12 single speed.

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
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