Single speed for a beginner?

[Arch]

It's true that slicks aren't suitable for gravel. Was that actually a designated cycle path? I only ask because I've never seen a gravel one, they've always been paved.

There's a 2 or 3 mile stretch of route 65 just north of the Humber that would make the average expensive gravel drive look skimpy.... I made it on 25mm tyres, but at about walking pace and with my back end sliding all over the place.

I think some can be a bit gravelly, and the condition may depend on the local recent weather - rain loosening the surface perhaps.... The last leg of the York/Selby bike path is not paved, merely hardpacked - it doesn't tend to be too bad, but there are loose stones.

 

[Stereo]

Not sure what to do now! How about two bikes, a road bike and a mountain bike (the mountain bike later, when I can afford it). Something like this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37907

 

[Randochap]

Not sure what to do now! How about two bikes, a road bike and a mountain bike (the mountain bike later, when I can afford it). Something like this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37907

Too far in the opposite direction.

Read this ... and this ... and this.

MTBs are not appropriate for riding paved roads.

 

[RedBike]

Not sure what to do now! How about two bikes, a road bike and a mountain bike (the mountain bike later, when I can afford it). Something like this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37907

That bike isn't appropriate for gravel tracks. (Guessing you knew that). However you wont regret having a road bike over a MTB when riding on tarmac.

I've no experience of the model you've linked to but it looks a lot better than most 'budget' models you tend to get. There are a few tiny niggly little things.

95% of the bikes in this price range will have Shimano Sora / 2200, Having used both I would pick Xenon over Sora any day.
However, Campag dropped the Xenon groupset from their lineup at the start of this year and Xenon has been 10speed (not 9) for serval years. Why has this bike got what on the face of it appears to be old parts?
(Old or not they're still better than the current Shimano offering).

They've cut a few corners fitting 'no name' parts for the brake calipers, bottom bracket, stem, bars, etc. This isn't a biggey and is pretty much to be expected.

Have you had a look at any of the 700c wheeled hybrids.
Just for example like the Kona Smoke?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/smoke-29-deore-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017266

It's wont be a patch on that chainreaction bike on the road and it wont even come close to the Rockrider off the road. However, it will do both adequately