A drop bar bike is absolutely faster than a flat bar bike. A TT/tri bike will be faster than a drop bar bike.
Cripes, I'm noticing that aero wheels are noticeably faster than standard wheels.
CAAD10 is a decent race bike, so for sure, you'll be faster on it.
BTW--the creaking might be your bottom bracket if it's a press-fit BB. They are notorious for getting creaky. The solution is to pull the bearings and reinstall them with Loctite on them (can't remember if it's red or blue Loctite)
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gamby
still have an EM1--go figure