The cult of CAAD gives it's nod to specialized E5.
Then again, given your snark, you seem to know more about bikes than I ever will so I'll lead you to say what really matters. Cause you like know what's up right?
I haven't seriously looked at newer bikes for well over a year. I don't really care about them. The marketing bullshiet about stiffness and this and that doesn't mean jack to me. I haven't been in the market for a new bike for 3 years. So I'm sorry that I didn't know that specialized decided to bring back an E5 alloy bike. All I know is that everyone I've talked to dug/digs their OLD Sworks E5. Oh and everyone I've talked to who owns a 9 loves it including those that have moved to one from carbon frames worth much more.