New bike for new commuter - Advice please

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Hi

I have a very old mountain bike (>15 years old).

Last summer I rode to work (approx 6 miles each way) a few times a week which was great and so I want to do more this year and get a new bike

I can't choose between a Carrara Subway 1 Women's bike and a Giant cypress DX women's bike - both £199

The former is from Halfords. The saleman I saw was very helpful but I have heard bad reports about Halfords

The latter is from a local specialist bike shop. The saleman was helful but not as informative as the Halfords salesman.

Any advice on howto choose ? or wouldn't I notice any real difference ?

Any advice will be gratefully recieved

Thanks in advance, Hazel

Check out Trek (http://www.trekbike.co.uk/2006/?sec=overview&MainCatID=4&SubCatID=31&RangeID=0&ID=261).

A bike, any bike is a personal thing,

It's not unlikely that you'll find hard core bikers being favourable to Hellfords. As a realitve newbie to how cycling appears in the UK. I've found that the likes of Evans and Hellfords would be disappointing in the long run, this is true. Be VERY clear of what you want to acheive and dont be swayed by what the sales person needs to say (to meet their sales targets)

I know this dosen't give you an absolute answer, but hopefully it does give you focus.