Recommend a road bike please

Hey,

Want to get a road bike on the bike for work scheme. Im not new to cycling, used to be pretty big into mountain biking/downhill but dont really have a clue about what components are decent these days etc., especially on a road bike.
Im planning to spend about 1250 or so;

Was looking at these two bikes and was wondering if you have any thoughts?

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=62902

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_918505_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2

Any other suggestions would be more than welcome as long as its available in a shop that complies with bike4work scheme, I dont have preferences on brands etc

The carbon frame attracts me but I dont know the brand or if it comes at a cost in the other components,weight between the bikes seems negligible. Wont be doing crazy miles and would be doing maintenance myself if it makes any difference.

Thanks

TychoCaine

The group set is the same and the rest of the hardware is similar grade. €1250 is way too much for an aluminium framed Tiagra bike, so the Boardman is the better option. Be warned that some Halfords outlets don't have the most capable staff wielding the spanners, so give it a good going over before you go out on it.

Unless your employer is signed up to one of the 3rd party managed schemes there's nothing stopping you buying a bike online or even overseas under cycle to work. Planet X would sell you a carbon bike with Shimano Ultegra (two tiers higher, and just below what the pros use) for an extra €50 on top of your budget. Canyon from Germany are another great option.

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/road/pro-carbon-ultegra-pre-order/

Thats great, thanks Tycho. Il find out from work if they have a list of resellers or can I go anywhere. If anyone else has any opinions would love to hear them.

macnab

I bought a Boardman Team Carbon in 2010, it was at the sale price of €1250, I had an Axa insurance policy at the time so I also got a 15% discount. The bike ended up costing me €1064.
They are a well respected bike and rightly so.