For what reasons have you chosen those two? Might help people suggest other similar models with the characteristics you seek
£1500 bike will have rather different components to a £2500 bike most likely, quite a big ballpark
What brands do your fave local shops sell, always a good place to start? If ok with a 2013 model, you could get a 2-2.5k bike for £1500 or a 3-3.5k bike for 2.5k
Only advice I would offer is get something a bit different from the Spesh, Giant , big brands that most ride.
+2Please do not take this the wrong way, [perhaps we need a permanent thread titled "what bike"], but if you are a beginner and you have that much cash to spend on a bike plus you are already talking about wheel upgrading then something doesn't quite add up because just for starters you will not need a wheel upgrade on a £2000 + bike unless you are racing and even then. If you are more experienced, then all you are getting by asking on here are folks personal preferences. A good lightweight frame is just that, though if you want one for sprinting or climbing then you need a stiff bottom bracket. Apart from that all you are doing is picking the groupset and wheels you prefer. At this price point many bike sellers enable you to choose your components which is what we personally prefer to do.
I would like to bet though that for a significant portion of folks it is the aesthetics of the bike that sells it to them. Only advice I would offer is get something a bit different from the Spesh, Giant , big brands that most ride.
Just re-read your post in full & it is very very well put.Please do not take this the wrong way, [perhaps we need a permanent thread titled "what bike"], but if you are a beginner and you have that much cash to spend on a bike plus you are already talking about wheel upgrading then something doesn't quite add up because just for starters you will not need a wheel upgrade on a £2000 + bike unless you are racing and even then. If you are more experienced, then all you are getting by asking on here are folks personal preferences. A good lightweight frame is just that, though if you want one for sprinting or climbing then you need a stiff bottom bracket. Apart from that all you are doing is picking the groupset and wheels you prefer. At this price point many bike sellers enable you to choose your components which is what we personally prefer to do.
I would like to bet though that for a significant portion of folks it is the aesthetics of the bike that sells it to them. Only advice I would offer is get something a bit different from the Spesh, Giant , big brands that most ride.