What's the cheapest bike you'd recommend for the following..

[Miguel Alvarez]

Hi Guys...

I'd like either a cyclo-cross or road bike. It'll be needed for winter use doing a 26 mile round trip in theory 4-5 days a week.

Normally I'm the type of person who's view is buy cheap you buy twice but I have money tied up for the next few months (house purchase) so would like to keep spend to a minimum where possible.

I currently have a fixed speed Colnago which is very nice but I find my legs spin out at about 22-25 miles an hour and feel I could easily pick up more speed or maintain more speed with some gears.

I'm open to a cyclo cross or road bike as I can travel on a canal path to work or down an A road.

I'd like to keep spend around the £300 mark where possible. Any more than that and I'd be inclined to soldier on and get something a bit more bling after my house purchase but as I can't seem to find anything I like house wise I want to avoid this idea.

I appreciate things will fall off a £300 pound bike after some usuage but I'd like a good 6 months trouble free usage if possible. If it was to last longer than I wouldn't complain.

Any suggestions? The people I have around me range from the £50 Tesco bikers to the £5k for a frame enthusiasts.

[louiebaby]

I think you're looking for the right kind of bike for what you suggest.

To get something that will stand up to a bit abuse, you're going to have to be a little inventive. I suggest eBay, (I wouldn't normally,) and a bit of luck.

This might be worth a look:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cyclocross-2012-Merida-4...

Or have a look at the search I was on:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes-/33503/i.html?_nkw...

I hope that is a little bit useful at least...

[shouldbworking]

Put some gears on your colnago and get a set of CX rims?

[Miguel Alvarez]

The Colnago is more of a track bike with a front brake. There isn't enough clearing at the back for a brake according to the guy who owned it. That was my original thought.

[Roman]

Unbeatable for £300:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.htm...

Or spend £60 more for a Revolution Cross (on offer this weekend & better than buying a tired 2nd hand TriCross):
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

You may be really lucky & find a great used buy for £300 but chances are you'd have to travel some way and you could be waiting for some time and I you'd find a decent cross bike for £300 at the start of the cross season.

The Decathlon is a great buy, the mechanics there tend to be very good, you get a warranty and they have a store in Reading. If you start sliding & puncturing on tow paths get a pair of 28c Schwalbe Marathon or Kenda Kwick tyres.

Edited by Roman on Friday 21st October 15:19

[Accelebrate]

It's not uncommon for a basic spec Allez or similar to turn up on my local Gumtree for £300ish with minimal use. I'd be concerned about buying something that was stolen though.

[Gizmo!]

Usually a few Caud Butler Levantes on EBay/Gumtree?

[anonymous-user]

My Kona Jake cx 2010 sounds ideal. I have seen good used ones on Ebay for around your budget..

[Miguel Alvarez]

I ended up going for this.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/team-s...

Seems to be fine after my first commute. It feels weird going from a fixed speed back to a geared bike. I'm going to have to switch up the two so I don't get back into any bad habits.