Advice on new bike

[LosingGrip]

I'm in the process of getting a bike via the cycle to work scheme. I live in a lovely area and the cycle to work could be quite nice!

I'm not too sure what I need/want however! I don't want to spend more than £1,100 on it. Plus £200 for extras.

I don't want a road bike however, as I'd like to do a bit off road.

I was looking at the Cannondale Trail 2 which seems to be recommended.

Any other ideas would be welcomed . I've tried searching but the search system is pants!

Thanks .

[Daveyraveygravey]

You want either a cyclo-cross (or just cross) bike or an adventure or gravel bike. It should be able to fit wide, knobbly tyres, anything from 32 - 45 mm. Disc brakes, hydraulic rather than mechanical, and probably have a 1x transmission. This has a single chain wheel at the front and a wide range cassette at the back; it won't have quite the gear range as a double, but will be easier to maintain. If it had mudguards or the mounts for them, even better.

[LosingGrip]

Think I understood mudguards in that post ha.

I'm not too keen on the dropped handle bars that those seem to have. I had a road bike a few years ago and just didn't get on with them.

[Blink982]

Sonder do a flat bar version of the Camino AL. I hadn’t ridden a drop bar bike since I was a kid but have adapted and love my Cannondale Topstone. Never underestimate the ability to change hand position on a long ride. However, if you simply don’t like them, you’ll have to look elsewhere. I think Planet X also do flat bar versions of their gravel/adventure bikes.

[LosingGrip]

Decided to go for a Specialized Fuse in the end.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-fuse-2020-...

Now just to wait for it to be delivered!