Commuting / winter bike

Nerrep

Having spent perhaps a little too much money upgrading my current road bike, I'm looking for something new to use for training through the winter, and also for commuting.

Must-haves:
- <£800
- Can take proper mudgaurds (e.g. not crud road racers, excellent as they are)
- Can take a rear rack
- Can take at least 25cc tyres
- Comes in size suitable for someone 194cm tall. E.g. 62/64cm
- Isn't going to collapse under my weight (88kg) plus luggage required for work
- Light/fast enough for me to ride 150km per week on recreationally without wanting to self harm

Would likes:
- Tiagra at least
- Disc brakes

Ribble Winter Training bike looks the best thing I've found so far (though no discs), but it's pretty ugly. Any suggestions for anything to beat it?

bobmcstuff

Dolan Prefissio maybe? One of my colleagues is just getting one on C2W to replace his Ribble winter trainer. Their bike builder gives you a Tiagra build for as little as £720:

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

Or if you take the 105 deal you can get a 105 spec for £799.99:

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/dolan-preffisio-aluminium-road-bike-shimano-105-5800.html

Also no discs on that one. Something like the Genesis Croix de Fer might work if you really want discs and you can get good deals on those at the moment (my misses just got a CDF 10 for £650, only Sora though).

bendertherobot

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m117b185s862p15221/GENESIS_Croix_De_Fer_10_Adventure_Cross_Bike_2015/RS_GB/51676?gclid=CjwKEAjwxYGuBRCtoqjkrIPDqDwSJAAnd-rCTeGGDckhRLrmu6Wczts4hFkopnsF4yJc5Rp4eo3-GxoCkBvw_wcB

Though I don't know, I confess, how large a 60cm is. I know it's "only" Sora. But it's good new Sora.

arlowood

Another to consider is the Charge Plug 3

http://www.chargebikes.com/bicycle-collection/plug-3

Has the discs, rack and mudguard mounts and clearance for up to 28mm tyres if not bigger. Only slight downside is the drivetrain which is Sora rather vthan your minimum Tiagra. However you may be able to source a 2014 model at a discount and upgrade with the savings you make.

BTW the Plug 4 has 105 fitted so you might be able to find one of those at a discount

http://www.chargebikes.com/plug/plug-4

Just done a quick Google and Fudges Cycles has an XL Charge Plug 4 in stock ATM for £750 - so you get Shimano 105 and all the other spec requirements within your £800 budget.

http://fudgescyclesonline.com/product/2014_charge_plug_4_road_race_bike

rafletcher

Genesis Croix de Fer, only Sora mind, but can easily be replaced once worn out. Up to 60cm on a 1 week lead time.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/74537/Genesis_Croix_de_Fer_10_2015_Bike_GN61254?gclid=CJKY7a2Xj8cCFevnwgodW8QH1w

night_porter

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival-22-road-bike

3 colours

up to 35mm tyres

and 1p change

wotnoshoeseh

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b185s6p15246/GENESIS_Equilibrium_10_Road_Bike_2015
In budget , Tiagra , rear rack mounts not disc braked though .

This one, just outside budget :? , all as above, but does have disc brakes...
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b185s6p15242/GENESIS_Equilibrium_Disc_10_Road_Bike_2015

Shop around though, you may score cheaper prices elsewhere....

saladdays

I'm 191cm tall and ride a 58cm Genesis Croix de Fer and so 60cm is your size.

Nerrep

Thanks all - some excellent suggestions there. Will have a proper look through and let you know once I've committed!