I didn't know that they even made CAAD 6's anymore. The 8's and 9's are definitely solid crit bikes, but for tris I wouldn't really want one. They have good power transfer, but aren't very comfortable. Also, I'd want something with a geometry that would better fit a triathlon, which would be the Soloist. If you ever try to put aerobars on the CAAD, you'll be stretched out too far.

In that case, the SystemSix is a solid bike, but still really designed for road racing exclusively. It'll be more compliant than a CAAD, but the geometry is about the same, so I'd still want the Soloist for tris. I'd definitely want the SystemSix over a CAAD for long rides because it's more comfortable, but it'll still stretch you out if you put aerobars on it for doing tris.

It really sounds like he was trying to move inventory, or pehaps was just ignorant. Personally, I wont buy from a shop that cant say good things about other brands. Really, I am not buying the brand, I am buying the shop.

Cervelo, Orbea, and Kuota makes solid bikes. All can be had with SRAM Rival or Force if you ask the shop to swap the components before purchase. Of course, this assumes that YOU want SRAM. I know I would if I was buying new. But Shimano's fine for the road, too.

There's nothing wrong with Cannondale, but their bikes are NOT any better than anyone else's. I'd find a more humble shop and see what they have and what their component swap options are.

I dont own a SRAM roadie, but my MTB is SRAM. I have played with a couple Rival and Force equipped bikes, too. Perosnally, I would try to hold out untill the Red group hits the market. Then Rival might be priced more at the 105 level. Thats just a possibility.

Off road, SRAM tears Shimano up. I've owned an XT equipped bike and now own a X-9. I wouldnt hesitate to pull the trigger on the same bike again. All my future new group sets will be Sram. I like them that much. I will likely be upgrading my tri bike to Rival with thumbshifters this off season.