Help me pick a bike!

I'm going to be doing quite a bit of long distance riding on slightly potholed roads, so I looking a Specialized Sirrus Sport, but I can get an AWESOME deal on a Specialized Allez Elite (top of the line) which is a bit more of a serious entry level racer.
What do you think?

 

is it going to commuter bike or a cyclist bike for real riding? and a specialezed allez eite is a very good entry level bike that was my first road bike

 

No, its gonna be riding for pleasure. Like I said, I think I'll get the Allez Elite as the markdown is MASSIVE!
I was told the wheel set is okay for a little bit of pothole abuse but they aren't the best. The Allez is also a lot easier to upgrade apparently.

 

Yes the use mavic wheels which are on a bit of the heavy side. I would upgrade them first i tossed a set of carbon spynergies on mine and good to go. Normally they come with shimiano 105 components which are very easy to upgrade one piece at a time.

 

Here's a nice Raleigh. Steel frame.
http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/830080/raleigh-port-townsend-bike-2012

 

Steel frame bikes are a nice ride but they are very heavy and have a weird feel heading up hills and raleigh isnt a very good brand to be putting lots of miles on.

 

Very true. My dad and I rode 460 miles down the California coast on steel frames. You just gotta choose wisely.

 

if you have narrowed it down to the 2 above IMO grab the allez cant go wrong there.

 

+1...

 

Okay, yeah the Allez is less than the Raleigh....