New Sub-£700 All Rounder Bike, Recommendations?

[Exile]

Hi all,

I've been commuting since March on my B'Twin hybrid, and I've finally reached the point where I've added everything I want to it, and have got it set up how I like it. Which obviously means it's time to buy a second bike! As my workplace aren't signed up to any of the C2W-type schemes, the money is coming out of my own pocket so I'm limited to what I can spend whilst keeping the bills paid, and that's £700 all told.

I've got a 'wish-list' of sorts for what, in an ideal world, any new bike would have: Disc brakes, drop bars, clearance for wider tyres (35/38c), mounts for mudguards and rear rack, and suitable for both on and off-road use. Yes, it's asking a lot from one bike, but I did find the Boardman CX Comp at Halfords for a penny shy of £600 which seems to be ticking all the boxes, and leaves me enough left in my budget to get the rack/mudguards and some decent enough lights so I can start commuting on it as soon as it's bought.

Has anyone got experience with this bike? Or can suggest any others in this price range that meet my needs?

 

[vickster]

Quite a few posts if you search for the boardman

http://www.cyclechat.net/search/4758239/?q=Boardman cx&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

How about a 2014 whyte Sussex

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=16025&O_ID=1

Or a dolan cx

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-cyclo-cross/cyclo-cross-bikes.html

 

[Cycleops]

The Boardman is nice. You could also consider this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/cda-10-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073905
Or this:http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/grade-sora-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec070841
Both around your budget.

 

[vickster]

Or a heavily reduced cannondale, over budget but 6 months interest free credit

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s23p5171/CANNONDALE-CAADX-105-2013

 

[slowmotion]

Now is a good time to buy a 2014 model because the retailers are heavily discounting bikes to make way for next year's models. You might pick up a £1000 bike for below £700 if you hunt around.

 

[Exile]

Thanks for all the suggestions, gives me lots of options. Not 100% sure what I'm going to go for yet, might be worth me having a mooch about to see which 2014 models are being slashed (like the Cannondale).