Which bike for commute to complement MTB?

[Custom24]

Sorry, I know there are a few of these at the moment.

I would like to buy a new bike. I have been using my Spesh Hardrock for trail and road commuting for about 2 years and would like to supplement it with something more roadie for all year round, especially winter.

I think my requirements are (I'm not sure if this is all possible, and I'm very vague at the moment)
Budget £800 ish
Light - not a tank like my MTB, actually something opposite.
Mudguard compatible*
Cartridge headset & hubs - I've had enough of loose bearings.
Not sure about frame material or bar type, or brake type.
Don't care about panniers. Happy using my rucksack. But I guess ability to have panniers a plus.

*I'm not really inspired by my searches for touring bikes, in that they don't inspire me to spend money on them (because they don't look as sexy as racers, mainly). But from my experience with the MTB, I would like maximum protection for the bike. From what I read about mudguards, proper racers don't seem to be compatible with proper mudguards, and the plastic clip on types which are compatible don't offer anywhere near as much protection for the bike. Is this accurate?

I'm planning to take a trip to my LBS this week, but I'd prefer more focus before I do that.

Thanks for any pointers
Mark

 

[vickster]

Ribble winter bike? http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/r...art=BB13RIB7005AUDAXWINT&sub=conf_BBRW&bike=1

Few racy road bikes will take full fixed mudguards

Could look at the CX bikes perhaps

 

[MikeW-71]

Giant Defy 2 would fit that lot. Sealed bearings in the headset, not loose balls, a little under 10kg. Hubs are loose ball, but are decently sealed, doubt you'll find sealed bearings in hubs at this price level though. Tiagra gearing and shifters.

Mudguards fit. I'm using the Crud Roadracers which do a remarkably good job of keeping muck off you and the rear guard has a section that shields the front mech.

 

[vickster]

You'll need 23mm tyres really for cruds. I had them with 25s and they rubbed a lot! The giant specific guards are a bit better

 

[Cuchilo]

My Defy 5 has been great through this winter with lots of mud and water around . Takes a pannier rack and a crud guard on the seat post stops any problems . I can take that on and off when I want without messing about . Don't need anything on the front wheel as the large down tube takes care of that .
I ride it daily and have done just over 2 thousand miles on it . So far only needed a new chain .

 

[mcshroom]

A few Ideas: -

Revolution Audax - http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-audax
Revolution Cross Pro - http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-pro-13?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes
Dawes Century SE/Clubman - http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b178.../RS_GB/31096?gclid=CKD5qsv84LwCFUT3wgodRCYABw
Genesis Equilibrium 00 - http://www.londonbicycleworkshop.com/3511/products/genesis-equilibrium-00-2013-white.aspx
Genesis CDF - http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/m1.../RS_GB/13674?gclid=CLWujP784LwCFZDKtAodAhQADA
Planet X Kaffenback - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2TIA/planet-x-kaffenback-2-shimano-tiagra-road-bike
Ribble 7005 Audax/Winter trainer - http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/r...art=BB13RIB7005AUDAXWINT&sub=conf_BBRW&bike=1
Ridgeback Platinum - http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/p...Bike_RB16856?gclid=CKfVgp_94LwCFbLJtAodciwAPw

 

[Custom24]

Thanks guys
Lots of options.
This is what I would like to have from a "I know little about bikes and nothing about road bikes, but these look really nice" naïve point of view

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

But that's not what I need, right? Will crud road racers or anything else offering decent protection to the bike fit that?

I also was a bit unclear in my original post. This new steed is for road only, and all year round. I plan to continue to use the MTB for trail, bridleway etc use, in dry ish weather.

 

[jowwy]

Cannondale synapse disc in tiagra or 105

Jobs a good un.

 

[mcshroom]

Thanks guys
Lots of options.
This is what I would like to have from a "I know little about bikes and nothing about road bikes, but these look really nice" naïve point of view

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

But that's not what I need, right? Will crud road racers or anything else offering decent protection to the bike fit that?

I also was a bit unclear in my original post. This new steed is for road only, and all year round. I plan to continue to use the MTB for trail, bridleway etc use, in dry ish weather.

According to another poster on here, raceblades fit fine on that bike
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/planet-x-pro-carbon-mudguards.95312/

 

[Custom24]

According to another poster on here, raceblades fit fine on that bike
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/planet-x-pro-carbon-mudguards.95312/

Thanks for finding that.

I still think full length mudguards are what I need, so I will need to be sensible.

 

[vickster]

Dolan prefissio, they'll even fit the mudguards as part of the build

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/dolan-preffisio-aluminium-road-bike.html

Nicely in budget with tiagra and mudguards, a little over with good mavic wheels or 105

 

[Custom24]

So far, I've not been able to get to any bike shop stocking the list of bikes above.

Today, I tried one of these

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bike.../bikes/town/dual_sport/crossrip/crossrip_comp

And one of these

http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-road-touring/cb4141-2014

I think it's just the colour of the Claud Butler that I like, because I am a bit of a magpie. It also seems pretty good value.

The Crossrip was a lot more like I am used to, so might be a wise choice

Spoiled for choice....

 

[Hacienda71]

Raceblade longs offer decent coverage and fit bikes that cruds won't.

 

[slowmotion]

I commuted for three years on a Specialized Secteur Elite. It had mounting lugs for a rack, and I could have fitted mudguards if I used 23mm tyres. It had Shimano triple 105 gearing and cost about £700. If they do an equivalent now, you might want to have a look. It will probably cost a good few hundreds more now or have cheaper gears, but it might suit you. Get a 2013 model in an end of season sale if you can
Good luck.

 

[derrick]

Get a Fixie. perfect winter bike and great fun in the summer.