I think both bikes you have mentioned are great bikes. Take each bike for a longer than around the parking lot ride. Your shop should allow you to do this. Think about how the bike feels in terms of its handling, acceleration, and comfort. Make certain both bikes are the same size, have the same saddle position and tire pressure before riding them. You may also want to measure the distance from the saddle to the handle bars to see it they are set up the same. It's all about the frame. Everything else sounds like its the same. Remember, you can always change components. If you want my opinion, I'd go for the Trek 1500. I like the geometry of that bike better (never cared for compact frames)