Carbon synapse 105 for beginner?

Originally I was between the defy 2 and the canondale synapse tiagra which are both around ~1200. I definitely want something that has a more comfort/endurance based geometry. My question is after seeing the canondale synapse carbon 5 105 which is around $2400, but it seems like the extra cost may be worth it. Get's really good reviews, has the new shimano 105 and it's all carbon so it should absorb the road a little more than those aluminum bikes which would be nice.
So my question is I've kind of been focused on Giant\Canondale and while I have researched Fuji, Trek, and some others Canondale is the one that always comes to the front, probably because my LBS is a huge reseller. Is there another good bike I am missing that is cheaper or better bang/buck? Like I said, I am new, and never owned a road bike, but I am kind of "buy once cry once" and don't want to spend $1200ish on a bike just to want to move up right away because the other bike will ride, shift, handle, be that much more comfortable.
I will obviously test ride each before just buying one. I just want to make sure I don't miss anything! Thanks
So my question is I've kind of been focused on Giant\Canondale and while I have researched Fuji, Trek, and some others Canondale is the one that always comes to the front, probably because my LBS is a huge reseller. Is there another good bike I am missing that is cheaper or better bang/buck? Like I said, I am new, and never owned a road bike, but I am kind of "buy once cry once" and don't want to spend $1200ish on a bike just to want to move up right away because the other bike will ride, shift, handle, be that much more comfortable.
I will obviously test ride each before just buying one. I just want to make sure I don't miss anything! Thanks
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105 isn't going to cause you any problems, TBH neither is Tiagra.
So if you try one, it fits, and you like the look of it, I doubt you'd be regretting buying it in a year or two. It's probably what I'd buy if I was choosing a bike now.
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