What bike??

[zetec]

Right, following a mental breakdown at the end of last year due to work stress, I made the decision to step down from my role to a much more junior position. This obviously involved a large pay cut. To manage this financially I sold my car, the expenses saved almost cover the lost salary.
I have borrowed a bike so I have been cycling into work, however I feel it’s time to return the borrowed bike and buy my own.
The bike I have been using is a MTB and it has seen me fine (damn the first few weeks hurt after not riding for over 20 years!!!!).
Work is a 10 mile round trip, mainly flat and almost all the journey is on dedicated cycle paths.
I am no Mark Cavendish, I am not looking to break records, just some advice on what kind of bike and features I should be looking at to make the ride as smooth as possible.
Budget £300-£500

Thank you

[Master Bean]

A hybrid bike of some sort. Basically a mtb with 35 or 38mm tyres and no suspension. Fit mudguards and you've got a comfortable commuter. Btwin is a Decathlon brand but there's also the Trek FX2 and others.

[emicen]

The Carrera Subway range is pretty good for this type of purpose. If you purchase via Cycle2Work, it would be about £20 a month for a year.

Whilst out of stock at the moment, their “All Weather” edition sounds ideal for a lot of people’s commuting requirements.

[JayRidesBikes]

I would personally go for a gravel bike, but you will struggle to find anything in your budget unless you’re willing to go second hand.

Wider tyres so that you can do canals, tow paths, light off road etc but still fast enough to commute at a decent pace and will take mudguards.

[emicen]

JayRidesBikes said:

I would personally go for a gravel bike, but you will struggle to find anything in your budget unless you’re willing to go second hand.

Wider tyres so that you can do canals, tow paths, light off road etc but still fast enough to commute at a decent pace and will take mudguards.

Good suggestion gravel bikes.

My wife has a Subway 2 and my first gravel / drop bar bike was the previous generation Voodoo Limba. Limba was definitely faster than the Subway, or less effort for the same speed to phrase it a different way, just worth bearing in mind drop bars aren’t for everyone.

The new generation Limba at ~£28 a month net on Cycle2Work would be a very good choice if the OP fancies giving drop bars a shot.

[JulianHJ]

If you can get on Cyclescheme via your employer, then something like this Planet X bike might fit your budget. As others have said, you may get more for your money by going second hand.

[WelshRich]

Sounds as though whoever loaned you the bike you’ve been using wants to help you out and isn’t desperate for the bike themselves - Could you just offer it buy it from them?

[benny.c]

A second hand Specialized Diverge or similar would be my suggestion. Quite a few on eBay go for £500 or less.

[tertius]

I would have thought a secondhand hybrid like a Boardman Comp or similar. Alloy frame, flat bars, disc brakes, make sure it has (or can take) mudguards - that sort of thing. I got exactly that on eBay a few years back for £250 and use it for commuting (or did before I gave up work) and general pottering about. Realise that prices may be higher now, but equally I get the feeling prices are softening.