New Commuting Bike and/or Winter Trainer

[beancounter]

My summer/"best" bike is too nice to use over the winter as I'd like to keep it in good shape.

My commuting bike is my old Hardrock Sport mtb with road tyres.

I'm wondering whether to get a new commuting bike which is more suitable for the purpose, or get a winter road/training bike, or if I can get a single bike which will do both jobs.

My 10 mile commute is half road and half cycle paths, so the bike needs (I think) to be a little bit more robust than a straight road bike.

I don't want a hybrid as I much prefer drops to flat bars.

I thought that the Spec Tricross might be a good compromise, but when I looked at one in the LBS I was surprised at how very heavy it was.

Budget up to £1000.

Has anyone any advice?

Cheers

bc

 

[Yellow Fang]

Planet X Kaffenback. You could get it built up to your specification and delivered to you.

Otherwise a Dawes Audax or a Ridgeback Horizon spring to mind.

 

[Rykard]

I read yesterday that the Kaffenback was quite heavy. Anyone know the weight?

 

[urbanfatboy]

a few folks on uk-mtb have kaffs

 

[velocidad]

kaffenback is what i've been thinking about myself, i have a pompino (which is great), and the kaff is just a pompino frame with a mech hanger really. i can't see it being very heavy (maybe compared to your 'best' bike?), i think there are details of weight etc on the kaffenback FAQ's page. at the moment they are doing the flat bar at £600 and the drop at £650 or you can have one custom built.
cheers, velocidad.

 

[RedBike]

I read yesterday that the Kaffenback was quite heavy. Anyone know the weight?

CRC list the frame as weighing about 4lbs, which is quite heavy for a road frame.

 

[beancounter]

Many thanks to everyone for all the comments.

bc

 

[beancounter]

So, I've ordered this----->

Strangely, I'm now looking forward to winter (well, sort of).

Tyres will be changed from cross knobblies to puncture resistant road slicks.

Thanks again for the advice (even though I ignored it, er sorry!)

bc