Help a friend pick a bike

Kiith

A friend in work was asking me about a new bike he wanted to get, but i don't really know much these days. Can anyone recommend either of the two bikes below, or suggest another within €1000 limit of the bike to work scheme?

He'll only really be using it to cycle to and from work.

Focus Arriba Claris 2018

FRAME - Arriba, aluminium 6061, disc, BSA BB, 135 mm quick release dropouts, post mount 160 mm, internal brake & gear cable routing
FORK - Arriba, aluminium, disc, 100 mm quick release, post mount 160 mm, external brake cable routing
SIZES - M,L,XL
HANDLEBAR - Concept EX, aluminium, flat
SADDLE - Velo VL-3363 Steel Rail
SEATPOST - Concept, aluminium, 27,2 mm, 350 mm, set-back: 15mm
STEM - Concept, aluminium, 31.8mm, +/- 6degree
TYRES - Continental Sport Contact, 700x28C
COLOUR - Magicblack matt/Orange/Blue
BRAKE/SHIFT LEVERS - Shimano M315
BRAKES - Shimano M315, disc, 160 mm / 160 mm
CRANKSET - Shimano Claris 2000, 50/34T
REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed, short cage
SHIFTER Shimano - Claris SL2000
CASSETTE - Shimano HG-200, 12-32T
CHAIN - KMC Z82
HEADSET - 1-1/8, ZS 44/30
FRONT DERAILLEUR - Shimano Claris 2000, w/clamp 31.8
RIM DESCRIPTION - Concept, aluminium

Trek FX 2

Frame FX Alpha Gold Aluminium, DuoTrap S compatible, rack and mudguard mounts
Fork FX alloy w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades
Wheels

Front Hub Formula TK31 alloy
Rear Hub Alloy
Rims Bontrager Connection, alloy, 32h
Tyres Bontrager H2, 700x35c
Drivetrain

Shifters Shimano EF500, 8-speed
Front derailleur Shimano Tourney TY71
Rear derailleur Shimano Acera M360
Crank Forged alloy, 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Bottom bracket Sealed cartridge
Cassette Shimano HG31, 11-32, 8-speed
Chain KMC Z7
Pedals Wellgo nylon body w/alloy cage
Components
Saddle Bontrager Sport
Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2 mm, 12 mm offset
Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise
Grips Bontrager Satellite, ergonomic
Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible
Head set1-1/8 threadless, sealed cartridge bearings
Brake set Tektro alloy linear-pull

magicbastarder

there's quite a gap in price between the two, and you can see a corresponding difference in the quality of some of the components.
how far is the commute?

CantGetNoSleep

Not sure about delivery and size - but something like this is better than both

https://www.jejamescycles.com/trek-1-2-h2-compact-road-bike.html

I wouldn't go for either of the above and certainly not the second one, quite a low spec. How long is the cycle to work?

Kiith

The cycle is 25 mins each way. And it needs to be an irish shop/site for the bike to work scheme i assume, right?

As for the price, he doesn't mind how much it is, once it's under the €1000 limit. But he doesn't want to go overboard, considering the commute is about the only time he'll use it (at least for now).

magicbastarder

that depends on the conditions his or her employer places on it; the limitation on where the bike can be bought is not inherent with the BTW scheme, but with the employer's policies. if the employer is OK with it, it can be bought online.

Kiith

I don't think they allowed online purchases, though it's been a while since i checked.

CramCycle

What part of the country is your work friend based, maybe we could recommend a local shop to go into?

Kiith

Dublin 5 or Dublin 1. I doubt he would mind going elsewhere if he got a good deal though.

magicbastarder

sounds like 360 cycles on the coast road would be a good local place?

Kiith

Yeah, that looks pretty good. Would this be any good? Similar price to the first one he asked me about.

http://www.360cycles.ie/merida-merida-race-80-2018-black-green.html