Winter/Commuter decision

[oiljam]

So which would you do as your winter/commuter bike?
My budget is strictly sub £500. I already have a Cannondale CAAD10 105 but I'm wanting to keep this clean through the winter.
My list is narrowed to the following:

Boardman Road Sport £450 (with bcf discount)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_875977_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

B'twin Triban 5 £430
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

Mekk Pinerolo £439
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/mekk-pinerolo-al-zr-sora-road-bike-id78725.html

Please help my head is spinning

 

[oiljam]

Has anyone got any experience of any of them.
The boardman looks great but has poor spec, so is it a worthy upgrade frame over time. Plus it has mudguard clearance.
I've no idea how the b'twin will fair over time but is also a good looking winter bike with clearance and carbon forks.
Now the Mekk is very easy on the eye, perhaps not the ideal winter bike but it fits in the price bracket....and I do have sks race blades, which would be needed on this bike to make it winter proof.

 

[fossala]

The mekk got a good review on bikeradar the other month.

 

[vickster]

Stop talking about winter, it's only the 16th August

 

[oiljam]

Sorry vickster. I know where youre coming from. I'll start again....
This errr 'late summer' bike of mine will sit in the works car park all day and has no cover. I'm currently commuting on a 18 year old Fondriest frame shack of a bike and it's killing me. How bikes have moved on in them few short years! One day its going to crumple up like tin foil and I'll be in the middle of it somewhere.
Hence a new bike will marry up nicely with my new love, my cannondale and keep me pedaling come rain or shine...and more rain

 

[DCLane]

I commuted last winter on a Raleigh Airlite 100, which has turned into a full-time commuter with the addition of a carbon fork.

Personally, from that list I'd have the Mekk. Or have a look at Raleigh's Revenio 1, currently £440 at Wiggle http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-revenio-1-2300-2013/

 

[oiljam]

Thanks DCLane. I've thought about doing up my Fondriest but I think it'd cost me more than a new bike would. Plus the set up and geometry is just all wrong. Just checked the two raleighs and they're added to my list.
Hopefully I can buy tmrw and my self influcted anguish will be done

 

[oiljam]

Hey so I went and tried all three and to be honest none knocked my socks off but the B'twin Triban 5 just edged it. So my new winter steed is the trusty (hopefully) Triban 5.
Can't say it enthuses me greatly but you get what you pay for and it's a damn site better than my old Fondriest. I've not really ridden it yet so I'll report when I do. Think I've made the best decision based on spec and its ability to wear mudguards etc. Already fitted new pedals and put my lights on so its almost ready for a ride to work on Monday.
So here's to my new winter/commuter bike..... Can I join the Triban 3 club now???

 

[vickster]

Enjoy

You may want to get some mudguard tips here, the Triban isn't the most flexible in this regard http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/mudguards-for-a-triban-3.137629/

 

[avsd]

Interesting bike available under budget at Spa Cycles.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2414

 

[oiljam]

Thanks vickster. I've just removed my sks raceblades from old bike which I'm sure will fit as they don't go under the block. If anyone needs to know the outcome no probs, I'll post how it goes.
Must say the more I look at the triban 5 the more it grows on me. The perfect winter bike for trawling to work on.

Just for info I also bought a red triban 3 for my wife in size 54. They still have a few left in Sheffield....I know they're still sought after.

 

[bigup]

What made you choose the 5 over the 3 (red)?

 

[oiljam]

No red available or I would have. The white 3 has poor spec in comparison. The red 3 would have suited me fine for a winter commute but not the white, its just a little too basic for me....no offense intended if anyone has the white triban 3a

 

[oiljam]

Here it is, just before its first test run...all clean but not for long

 

[oiljam]

First ride went well. Needs bedding in and tweeking I think.
Just fitted my sks race blades, lights and spd-sl pedals. Its now ready for the daily grind.
They don't look quite as much fun with all their winter add-ons needs must though eh