Originally Posted by
mcours2006
Both are flat bar bikes. If you are in it for the long haul I suspect in the not-so-distant future you'll be wanting a drop bar bike. I'd choose the $1000 bike and save the $300 for that future purchase. When you're ready to upgrade (to a dropbar) you'll likely just buy a new bike rather than upgrading or converting the old bike.
This. If you stick with it and want to ride longer rides, you will want a drop bar road bike sooner than later.
Invest small now, invest better on the road bike.