pretty bikes! i looked at them briefly.... but since i'm not familiar with that style of bikes... i'm kinda useless to you! as i suspected (and i'm sure you already figured out) the difference is components... i'm sure some of the other more in the know ladies will tell you if it's worth it...

i know for road and mountain bikes.. it's almost always better to get the better components!

i will say, though... if this is your first bike... then maybe go less expensive... cuz you'll catch the bug and want to upgrade before too long anyways.. and it's easier to buy a new bike on top of a not so expensive bike than buy a new bike on top of a more expensive bike.. .is that a run-on sentence or what????????????

i didn't follow this advice for my first road bike.... and bought a more mid-range priced but nice components.... even though something in my head told me to go for that cheaper bike.... well.. within 2 months i was looking at and wanting something new and different.... better!

for my MTB i did follow my adive and got a cheaper one! i still have a blast on it (crashing doesn't count as fun ) but if i decide in a year or whenever... that i want a new.... better one.. it will be easier to do so!

most importantly..... buy a bike you will ride! and have fun riding it!