Help me decide on a new commuter please?

[bikingdad90]

Hi boys and girls,

My first post so be gen tle ha ha. I have a budget of £500 for my next commuter come sportive bike. It will be purchased via C2W. The bike must have drops for variety of hand positions, mudguard eyelets and preferably pannier mounts so I can travel with a laptop. My daily commute is around 10 miles each way through suburbs with plenty of pot holes but it is all tarmacked so don't need any off road capability.
I am 5 foot 7 inches so if you have any experience on the sizing of the bikes below please let me know what size would suit me best?

I have been looking at the following but can't make my mind up on which one to get as they have pluses and minuses. Feel free to throw into the mix if I have missed any other good bikes!!

1. Decathalon triban 5 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

2. Evans Pinnacle Dolomite 2 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolomite-2-2013-road-bike-ec044210

3. Mosa Speed Sora http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

4. Battaglin S11 Sora http://www.wiggle.co.uk/battaglin-s11-sora-2013/

5. Revolution continental 13 http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-continental-13?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes

 

[Born2die]

Specialized allez

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-compact-2013-road-bike-ec040963


Really good bike for £500

Trek

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/11-c-h2-2013-road-bike-ec040340

There is also the boardman sport for £500 that always seems to get good reviews

 

[JamesM]

I've been looking for a commuter with drops that can take a rack for about £500 too. Cheaper would be nice!

I've been looking at the Trek 1.1, the Dolomite 2 and the Dolomite 1. Partly because I've got an Evans near work and the guys there have been pretty helpful in the past. I currently ride a Specialized Crosstrail Sport which I've been happy with but I'd like drops, no front suspension and a new toy! The only reason I discounted the Allez was that it didn't look like it could take mudguards and a rack.

I might get round to test riding them at some point. I'm probably more likely to just keep looking on the internet for ages and keep plodding along on the one I've got!

I see people recommending you try bike out a lot - what bike shops have you got near you?

 

[vickster]

You won't be able to ride, but several on here have bought from Ash, this should fit the spec, including a carbon fork for comfort (versus alu on the Trek)

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-4-compact-2013

I have the 2012 Avail. Happily takes a fixed rack, can fit mudguards too (Giant's own best)

Just noticed the previous post is quite a brutal thread hijack

 

[JamesM]

It wasn't a total hijack. I upped the thread so more people well have seen it, suggested test rides and explained why I discounted one of the options Born2die suggested...

 

[Born2die]

True hadn't thought of guards and a rack i hold my hands up to that one