Hey Andre. I guess the question is how long is a piece of string? A white elephant can be delivered right to your doorstep if you wave the right amount of cash around mate!! Budget plays the biggest role in any bike buying exercise and usually what you like and what you can afford are at 2 opposite ends of the spectrum. Lighter frames, rims and parts are more expensive, and more often than not less durable. With the newer type frames, its a preference thing between carbon, titanium and aluminium, or a mix of them. These materials offer a different degree of rigidity and durability, and also have weight limits, for example, if you are a 130kg ex rugby prop, steer clear of carbon and titanium. You can also get compact, semi compact and standard frame sizes. Speak to your LBS to have you measured up for the right size. There is also personal preference with the groupset you choose. Shimano's Dura Ace is the flagship and can be compared to Campy Record or Chorus (yes most guys say Chorus because Record is in a class of its own bla bla). Campy has been complimented on a better look and feel (carbon finishes and italian style), Shimano has been said to work better with less hassles, again its a preference thing. You mention Sora in your post, try and go for a 10 speed, Shimano's 105 or the campy equivilent, probably Mirage is mid range. Sram also provide road groupsets and their flagship RED is world class, do some homework though. Rims are important and a good set will set you back a bit of cash. I have ridden both the brands you mention and had no issues (bar a broken spoke on a set of Shimano's). Eastons are good and are somewhat better priced on the rands to weight ratio. The best you can do is go to a few bike shops and speak to the guys on the floor and listen to what they have to say. Most times they will contradict each other because like I mentioned above its mostly preferential. For every rumour you hear about a particular model or make of frame, chain, or stem snapping, there's a thousand raves for the same product range because the guy you speak to rides it. Hope this helps you
