I like the ride of a carbon, what's all this about melting in the rain?
The boardman I have is a cracking bike.
I was thinking of the Mekk as a possible winter bike, different tyres etc.
It seems to have a good frame as a base, with tiagra etc.
I'm all in favour of winter bikes. With sturdier wheels & tyres, cheaper components that can be easily replaced when the wet, muddy grinding paste has done it's worst, and no concerns about wrecking the bike generally because it's not a precious high value machine. At the same time, you want it to be a pleasant ride, so the Mekk is a good choice. You only need a rear mudguard perhaps, and clip on options are perfectly adequate.
For years my 'secret' training tool has been riding my 21.5lb Trek 1000 through the winter, then jumping on my 17lb Trek Madone in the summer. The stiffer higher quality components also make a difference, it's like getting an EPO boost. Not that I'd know anything about that. Or would endorse the use of such substances in any manner or form, at all. Under any circumstances.
Unless there was an important race like the Tour de France.