New bike but which? Tricross Sport, Revolution Country Explorer or other??

[Sheffield_Tiger]

I like riding my cheap road bike (Carrera Virtuoso '08) but the wheels take a battering (I'm not the lightest of riders, plus I usually have a load and Sheffield roads are potholes joined together with tarmac patches).

Cycling around the steep hills of Walkley today, my rear tyre just catching the chainstay after a careless moment with a pothole crater (OK, I have squeezed a 28 tyre in there, so not too much margin admittedly) I decided enough was enough and that stronger wheels (35 or thereabouts) and wider gears are necessary for my commuting/general riding. Also lower gears will help drag the shopping behind me in the mule. But I still like the Virtuoso's handling so want something that still rides at least a little like a "racing bike"

Called in at J E James' on the way home and was quite taken by the Tricross Sport '10 (£850), so much so that the impulsive part of me is telling me to go order it now...

However, I've just noticed the Revolution Country Explorer

I do like the idea of front discs. I do like the idea of it being £200 less than the Specialised (though that would mean that I couldn't have a bike that cost more than my £750 car!)

Only thing is the geometry looks a little lazy from the photo (may be just the angle of the photo)

Anyone looked at or own either? Or any other recommendations that I might have overlooked? Budget is an absolute ceiling of £1000 including mudguards/rack)

 

[marinyork]

I don't know anything about the specialised tricross sport (other than it being quite a different bike) but my 2p worth on the revolution country explorer is that I rode one and it is a funny bike, pretty heavy and clunky but something on it compensates a bit in the handling (I don't know what). Anyway I wouldn't spend that much money on that sort of bike myself but I think I can see where they're coming from.