First road bike

[d598]

Hey all,
I have been lurking on this forum for a few weeks now as i'm on the look out for my first road bike to commute to work on. I have joined my cycle2work scheme and can only buy the bike from Evans. The bike will be used for commuting and hopefully a few rides in the evening and at the weekend - need to lose a bit weight!
I have a budget of around £500-£600 to spend and it has to be from Evans. I have test ridden a specialised allez double which I enjoyed,unfortunately though my hands hurt afterwards,the guy said it was because I wasn't wearing any gloves? I have noticed though that the components on that bike are the 2300 range and there is another bike in the range with all sora components. My question is, do I spend the extra £100 for the the bike with the sora set, or do I buy the cheaper bike as I would probably not notice the difference?

Many thanks in advance

 

[yenrod]

Boardman bikes are ok/great !

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_comp.html

 

[chris667]

If you are uncomfortable after a short ride without gloves, you will be in agony after a long ride, gloves or no. Go to a different branch.
The frame and fit of the bike are the only important things, don't worry about the components.

 

[accountantpete]

Don't use Shimano but the 2300 range is just below the Sora -which is not that great anyway. If you get into cycling you will want to upgrade from Sora pretty quickly so I would go for the cheaper option.

 

[2Loose]

Not comfortable, don't get - nuff said

 

[d598]

Many thanks to all of your replies. Regarding the hand ache/pain, the shop said it was because I wasn't wearing any gloves and that the bike wasn't properly set up. I did feel like all my weight was on my hands, like I was heavily leaning forward. The problem is I don't have anything to compare it with so I just going with what they are telling me.
Regarding the bike, I'm guessing it would be better if I just bought the cheaper option for now as there is no real difference? The guy in the shop also said that there is no point upgrading the spez allez in the future as it isn't worth it and that I should buy a new bike.
Is there any other bikes that anyone can recommend which come in between £0-£600ish mark and they must be from Evans?
Once again,thanks in advance for all your replies.

 

[d598]

Quick update, went to different branch of Evans in London today and a had a fantastic customer service. Told the guy what I was after and he talked me through a few of the bikes they had in stock and went through the benefits of each one. Really liked the look of the specialised allez for £599, told him my concerns and he got me set up on one to show me how my hands shouldn't hurt.
End result, I have put a returnable £50 deposit down for one whilst they order me one in and I have to raise my cycle2work voucher.
Looking forward to getting it now!