@Cecilsmichie Some thoughts as a guy who has an aluminum Creo SL E5 setup for gravel, a Vado 5.0, and a carbon Domane road bike (analog); I previously had an aluminum hybrid (analog) but sold it when I bought the Creo.
I think the views of aluminum vs carbon frame differences can get a little overblown - yes there's differences, but they're also a lot more apparent when you're on a 120psi road bike tire and nothing like futureshock or isospeed to dampen the buzz.
That however will be your biggest decider - if you must have carbon, that's not an option for a Vado SL and you'll need to go with a Creo and adjust your riding position via stem and/or bar changes. I find the Creo to be a pretty relaxed geometry - seemingly endurance oriented similar to my Domane. Recently did a 42mile mixed surface (~60% gravel / 40% pavement) ride and the Creo performend marvelously with Pathfinder 700x42c tires. That said, I don't have neck issues so I couldn't gauge how that'd impact you.
My suggestion is seek out a test ride even if you need to drive a ways to do so. Alternately I'm told the Diverge is pretty similar in its geometry, your LBS should be able to help with that.
I think the views of aluminum vs carbon frame differences can get a little overblown - yes there's differences, but they're also a lot more apparent when you're on a 120psi road bike tire and nothing like futureshock or isospeed to dampen the buzz.
That however will be your biggest decider - if you must have carbon, that's not an option for a Vado SL and you'll need to go with a Creo and adjust your riding position via stem and/or bar changes. I find the Creo to be a pretty relaxed geometry - seemingly endurance oriented similar to my Domane. Recently did a 42mile mixed surface (~60% gravel / 40% pavement) ride and the Creo performend marvelously with Pathfinder 700x42c tires. That said, I don't have neck issues so I couldn't gauge how that'd impact you.
My suggestion is seek out a test ride even if you need to drive a ways to do so. Alternately I'm told the Diverge is pretty similar in its geometry, your LBS should be able to help with that.