Thanks for the replies. I'm after a racing bike because its the missing link/next step upwards. I've always ridden mountain bikes. At the moment I have an hybrid, an old mountain bike I "ride to the shops" on so I'm not worried about it gettting stolen/vandalised, and a Dahon folding bike. My hybrid is by far the most comfortable and enjoyable bike to ride.

See here

http://s309.photobucket.com/albums/kk391/VNAM75/?action=view&current=DSC01028.jpg#!oZZ2QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs309.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk391 %2FVNAM75%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DDSC01028.jpg

I'm assurred by others about the riding position now so thats OK. The halfords bike is the cheapest road bike I can find (apart from the decathlon one). I don't see what the problem with it is. I know I'm not going to win any competitions with it but thats not what I'm after. The reason I asked about the spec is simply to find out which is the better bike for £350. My hybrid is a 2006 claud butler urban 400 with a lowly deore groupset but it rides perfect still. I don't believe in spending loads on a bike. I normally buy my bike parts from Chain reaction cycles but their cheapest road bike is way too expensive and overkill. If anyone can find a better alternative for under £400 in the UK then I'm interested!