Mountain to road

[Brad030]

Hi, I'm swapping my downhill bike for a road bike (recently moved to Norfolk, it's somewhat lacking in hills for the aforementioned 'downhilling') and not really sure what to go for, iv searched everywhere from eBay to local bike stores and have narrowed it down to these two...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_912079_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810675_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Which of these two is best, they both seem similar priced but have different gears etc on them, as I don't really know what I'm looking at any advice would help.
Il be using it daily to ride to work on (only about half a mile each way but I don't like walking) and for keeping fit at nights/weekends (I can't stand sitting staring at a wall on a exercise bike at the gym)

Thanks in advance!

 

[philinmerthyr]

Halfords can be hit an miss as far as set up and customer service is concerned. Are you sure there isnt a local bike shop that you can go to for advice?

 

[SWSteve]

I wanted a road bike for similar reasons (wanted to cycle too/from work, ride at weekens and bored of gym) I went to the local bike shop and spoke to them. They were a great help, and went through several bikes in my price range. I would suggest going to speak to them to see what they say, the worst you do is not buy from them and go to Halfords anyway

 

[Therapor]

I found my local shop very useful for making the choice when I went from MTB to road bike, I was pretty shocked when the cheapest road bike they sold was £500 though

 

[biggs682]

+1 re Halfords be careful , go 2nd hand

 

[Easytigers]

+1 re Halfords be careful , go 2nd hand

I'll 3rd that...although I know many people who have a Carrera and are more than happy. 2nd hand is a good move if you are confident knowing what to look out for (or have a friend who can go with you to check it out).

 

[Brad030]

I took your advice and visited a few more local shops today, (the one I went to a few days ago put me off a bit as their bikes began at £700)
Iv found a few nice bikes which has opened up more questions, these carbon forks, do they make much difference, there's a shop offering a butler with carbon forks, 14 speed for £410
http://www.cyclistdiscount.co.uk/claud-butler-treiste-2013-bike.html
However there is another one that has caught my eye, which is all aluminium still a 14 speed but they do a 61cm frame opposed to the smaller 59cm frame, does the 2cm make much difference? (I'm 6ft 7'')
http://www.brianrourke.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=00120