Am I right to buy a Carrera Tanneri?

[marihino]

I was a keen cyclist when I was younger, but I just realized that last time I owned and rode a bike regularly was about 8 years ago. I'm eager to get back in the game.
The bike's main purpose would be commuting, as I work really long hours, 5 to 6 days a week. About 6-7 miles, east to central London. Then I'd like to take longer trips outside town on my days off, country lanes plus a little bit of not-too-heavy offroad. Finally, I'd take the bike on my holidays two or three times a year - scenic countryside in various european countries and some Alps too.

I'm on a really tight budget after some time between jobs and moving houses recently, but I don't want to (and won't) wait and save up or use a credit card. Also, I prefer to buy new for many reasons. I'd prefer to stay within £300 for the bike itself; I budgeted some extra for locks, spare tubes etc on top of that.
I like road/sportif geometry but also appreciate some clearance for mudguards and slightly bigger tyres, so I'm thinking cx, and the Tanneri http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...eri-limited-edition-cyclocross-bike-2015-blue seems to be really well spec'd for the price. I don't like the tyres or pedals that come with it stock, but that's obviously replaceable, if not necessarily immediately.

Anything I'm missing?

 

[Pale Rider]

Toe clearance looks a bit tight from the pic, even if you don't use the caged pedals.

You could check that when you sit on one.

Bike should be fine in other respects.

I doubt you will get anything better for the money.

Experience shows Halfords' staff are variable, so check the bike is built correctly or get a local bike shop to do it for you.

 

[Arjimlad]

My son bought a Carrera Crixus CX bike and it is amazing value for the money. Cambodian manufacture of course but he's thrashed it to school and back and been out on family rides with no problems at all. I have tightened the rear shifter cable & kept the chain Mickled.

I would ask a shop to fit mudguards, though, as clearance under the canti rear brake looked interesting.

 

[Kumquat]

I also have a carrera crixus, and highly recommend.

Is it the best bike in the world? Probably not, but it fits me very comfortably (which imo is the most important), it was cheap and it's much faster than my mountain bike was, but I'm not scared of potholes or the occasional gravel/dirt track.

Yes, I probably could have got a rigid hybrid with slicks instead, but drop bars are cooler . Also, I am not the best cyclist- I ride short distances to work and shops to save paying for a bus and get a bit of exercise, rather than any more "noble" aspiration of going far or fast.

 

[siadwell]

I'd disregard the Was price, as it was never worth that.
It's a fairly heavy bike with a steel fork, but that probably means it's robust.
The Claris gears are entry level but should do the job fine. Cantilever brakes are rather old school and may need a fair bit of tinkering to get them working well (one of the reviews mentions the "woeful" braking).
But overall, for the money it looks like it'll do the job.