GT / Boardman Dilema - what would you choose?

I need your advice please - this decision is just driving me crazy!

I'm doing the cycle to work scheme, my problem starts with only being able to to buy from Halfords.

I have up to £700 to spend.

My choice currently is either:

GT Aggressor XCR or Boardman Comp.

The GT is currenlt £749 (was £799) but until Monday has another 20% off making it £600!!!
The Boardman is £699.

I am new to MTB. Currenly ride Specializesd on the road. Need an all round MTB that I can grow into.

Your advice is most welcome please.

GT Agressor XCR spec:
Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 19-20
Gears: 21+
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Front
Alloy Rims: Yes
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Truvativ Firex 3.1 chainset with GXP BB
Exact Frame Size: 18"
Forks: Marzocchi 44TST2, 140mm travel, 15mm axle, adj rebound & lock-out
Frame Colour: White and Gunmetal
Frame-: Superlight GT Triple Triangle frame, hydroformed & butted tubing
Front Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 185mm rotors
Front Mech: Shimano Deore
Gear Shifters: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire
Handle Bars: GT oversize handlebar
Headset: GT Alloy
Hubs: Formula dc20/e37
Number of Gears: 27
Pedals: Classic Cage with Toe Clips
Quick Release Wheels: Yes
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes 160mm rotors
Rear Mech: Alex DP20 disc rims
Rear Shock: NA
Rims: Alex DP20 disc rims
Saddle: SDG Bel Air saddle
Seatpost: Alloy Black
Stem: GT Oversized
Tyre size: 2.3"
Tyres: Maxxis Ignitor
Wheel size: 26"

OR

Boardman Comp Spec:
Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 19-20
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Front
Alloy Rims: Yes
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Truvativ Firex 3.1 GXP 44/32/22T
Colour: Black
Exact Frame Size: 20"
Forks: Rock Shox Recon SL Air, 100mm travel, adjustable rebound damping & lockout
Frame-: Fully double butted aluminium
Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 9 speed
Handle Bars: Ritchey OS 31.8mm
Headset: Semi integrated cartridge headset
Hubs: Sealed bearings
Number of Gears: 27
Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform
Quick Release Wheels: Yes
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy - 160mm rotors
Rear Mech: SRAM X7
Rear Shock: NA
Rims: Ritchey Pro Disc 32H
Saddle: Cboardman, Cro-Mo rails
Stem: Ritchey OS 31.8mm
Tyre size: 2.1"
Tyres: Continental Speed King
Wheel size: 26"
Approximate Weight (KG): 11.7
Fork Lock-out : Yes
Fork travel: 100mm
Forks - Adjustable damping : Yes
Frame Colour: Black
Front Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
Front Mech: Sram X5
Seatpost: Ritchey 27.2mm

Thanks.

Under the scheme you should be able to buy from other sources, I know both Evans & Cycle surgery deal within it.

Sorry I cant offer any advice on the bikes youve listed.

Thanks for the reply.

My prayers would be answered if I could buy from elsewhere but unfortunatley this scheme my work has decided only only permits Halfords/Bike Hut.

Depends of what terrain you want to ride and how much 'stick' you are planning on giving the bike. Rough and agressive - take the GT, fast and smooth, take the Boardman. I've heard good impressions of the Boardman range.

Halfords used top be able to order most bike in.

Out of the GT or Boardman I'd go for the Boardman. Marzocchi forks have been very poor of late & are failing a lot due to poor QC & cheap parts used to build them.

Also the Boardman has a slightly better frame, fully butted & slightly better gearing.

Boardman bikes are getting very good (user & magazine) reviews. You may have to wait to get one as Halfords may be short on stock.

Boardman is the better of the two.

Can I throw a curveball in there and suggest you look at the Voodoo Limba? Its a cyclocross bike, but if you're using the bike to commute to work you might appreciate the extra turn of speed it offers. Halfords flog it for £699.

Also, what about the Kona Cindercone? Less than £600 at Halfords.

The Kona is underspecced for the price, RS Dart's on a £600 bike! you normally see Dart's on a £400 bike, woeful forks

Ok, so the boardman may be the better bike, but is it £100 better?

BTW - thanks for the replies so far!

I am known for being a GT man through and through, god knows I have owned a few.

But, given the choice of the 2 bikes above, I would plump for the Boardman.

Far more kit for the money, and as the Agressor is a lower end GT, the ride wont be up to much.

Thanks Pickle.

Interesting that you own GT's and still go for the Boardman. So it really is worth the extra £100 on the GT?!?