Winter commuter purchase

[voicey]

I currently commute into the City every day (8 miles in, 10 home) on a Boardman Team Carbon 2010 - this was bought through our C2W scheme. I want to continue throughout the winter so have already refurbished an old MTB for when the snow gets really bad but have been toying with the idea of getting a dedicated winter bike for general use. The bike will be only be used for the journey to and from work but the roads round here get ruined at the first sign of cold weather.

Yesterday I went to look at the Boardman Team CX and it seemed to be exactly what I wanted - drop handles are a must, I want it to feel a bit sturdier (especially the rims), space and fittings for mudguards, reasonably well equipped, etc. Priced at £900, I'd save 41% but be hit by the taxman for the final value - total cost to me would be £621 but I would get a free £135 voucher to spend on accessories (mudguards, pedals and winter tyres if Halfords sell them).

Before I take the plunge I wanted to check that I couldn't approach this in a better way. Can anyone recommend an alternative that ticks the boxes for me? I can only do the C2W through Halfords but if there's a way I can come in close to the £650 mark I'd just pay the cash.

Cheers!

[BliarOut]

I don't think you'll be very comfortable on a CX in the ice, I put mine (which admittedly wears slicks) in the shed at the first sign of ice as the geo doesn't inspire confidence in low grip. My MTB is like a mountain goat, it's fine even on sheet ice

[voicey]

In true PH style, I'm hoping winter tyres will see me right but I have a proper MTB for when the going gets tough! Really what I'm looking for something that is a bit sturdier and has fittings for mudguards but is as close to a road bike as possible.

[BliarOut]

A road bike?

I've got a CX and I've still managed to ping a couple of spokes on it...

[snowdude2910]

voicey said:

I can only do the C2W through Halfords but if there's a way I can come in close to the £650 mark I'd just pay the cash.

Cheers!

http://www.cycle2work.info/ Is it this scheme??
ours is through halfords (royal mail group) but if you phone the number on the letter of collection they will find you any bike within budget you just post them your letter of collection and they have it delivered and they send you back the 15% accessories(sp?)voucher to take in store and spend personally I'm going to be using my road bike all winter except snow i figure most roads are gritted and if I fall off i'll have learnt my lesson although I'm tempted by a belt driven trek just for training when my current scheme ends

[Jimbo.]

IIRC Halfords and Planet-X/On-One had a run in, with the former refusing to supply the letters bikes. This was a while back, and second-hand info. However, assuming that things are OK, then this:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFFDISC/p...

...might be worth a punt.
Drop bars.
Guard mounts.
Rack mounts.
Geared or singlespeed (single speed winter commuting = WIN!)

Sorted.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?a...

have a look at the ribble bike bulder, the horizontal tt 7005 is a popular winter bike.