Bike help cycle to work

I recently bought the Cannondale Synapse alloy 105 (2015 model) and can recommend it for commuting. I use it with sks raceblades as mudguards.
Lots of standard components as on all these bicycles (shimano up and down), but this one was put together nicely. Good frame, the best I ever had, it does absorb the bumps very nicely. The disc brakes are good, even for a heavier cyclist. Noy as strong as some Deore Hydraulics that I have used, but enough t block the wheeels, and much simpler.

This replaces my 10year old Ridgeback Genesis Day 03 with many thousands of miles. A bit of a stepchange, but doesn't make me faster.

I recently bought the Cannondale Synapse alloy 105 (2015 model) and can recommend it for commuting. I use it with sks raceblades as mudguards.
Lots of standard components as on all these bicycles (shimano up and down), but this one was put together nicely. Good frame, the best I ever had, it does absorb the bumps very nicely. The disc brakes are good, even for a heavier cyclist. Noy as strong as some Deore Hydraulics that I have used, but enough t block the wheeels, and much simpler.

This replaces my 10year old Ridgeback Genesis Day 03 with many thousands of miles. A bit of a stepchange, but doesn't make me faster.

I picked up the Fuji Sportif 1.3 D 2015 last week. Really pleased with it - lovely looking bike.

A slight upgrade to the Fuji Sportif 1.1 D 2015 would meet the OPs original requirements, i.e. 105 groupset, disc brakes, 28mm tyres, can take mudguards. Ideal winter training bike.

Only £800 too, so well within c-2-w voucher budgets.

Picked up the GT Grade alloy 105 tonight, looking forward to getting out on it at the weekend

Ok, stretching the budget a touch to the scheme limit +/- £100, it's heads or tails between GT Grade alloy 105 or Specialized Roubiax Disk 2014, which is in the sales, but for what is still an expensive bike has Sora. Considering that you can get alu bike in the sales with sora for just over £400.

Carbon frame or better brakes and gears? There would be no £ for upgrading parts for a long time!

I like the looks of both, I know the camo on the grade is an opinion splitter but I like the individual touch.

What to do ...

Thanks for that Simon. I'll hit the shops after Christmas and see which I like the look and feel of. Interestingly both Evans and Leuisure Lakes said the Diverge was the one to try. Hopefully that's a sign of the bike regard rather than a better margin.

Blissy, there are no real duds nowadays. I think you should visit shops selling these bikes and check them out in the flesh. You'll probably find doing that helps you make a decision more than anything else.

Also:
http://road.cc/content/news/121785-first-ride-gt-grade
http://road.cc/content/review/110792-whyte-dorset-commuterroad-bike
(yes it's the Dorset but very similar)

After some more reading and searching I've confused myself further with another two models taking the list to:

GT Grade (Claris or sora)
Specialized Diverge (racing road)
Whyte Sussex
Norco Search S3

I'm not familiar with the tech lingo, they all look nice and the marketing blurbs seem to fit what I need the bike for. Anything obvious that would assist in ruling any of these in or out? I'm lost

I've had a similar search but looking for bike and guards all in around the £850 mark. More flexible about what groupset as anything will improve on my 12 year old mountain bike. Currently like the look of GT Grade and Specialized Diverge. Anyone had any experience of either or opinions ?

Thanks in advance

The Cannondale Synapse alloy Disc 105 comes with the 2015 11-speed 5800 groupset.
I got it last month also on the Cycle 2 Work scheme (£999.99 from Evans). It's an awesome bike. I can't believe for 1K you get 11-sp AND disc brakes!
It'll take full length mudguards but only up to 25mm tyres and that's with minimal clearance. It's so ridiculously close it looks like bad design. Not sure about rack mounts but I'll check tonight on mine.

Good point - I have the same rack on mine for the same reason!

While I maintain this is the one to pick, isn't the Charge Plug 4 just under a grand, 105 etc, etc? Might be worth considering (as a runner-up option, of course!)

i'd go equilibrium disc 10 for £1099
only box it doesn't tick on your list is 105 gruppo...

re: planet x - they charge a 10% admin fee depending on what scheme you're on.

I couldn't decide what I needed this year. I've ended up ordering a Brompton

You might give Planet X a look - I'm very happy with my Kaffenback, the London Road isn't uninteresting either.
Custom builds are usually an option, so you could talk costs for 105 if that's the deal-breaking point for you.

HTH

To get 105 10/11speed you're going to have to go over the £1k threshold unless you manage to blag a sales bike or get a good retailer like me who did a £1100 bke for £1000 cause the first choice bike wasn't available for 6 weeks. I got a Forma Culver CX Sport like this.
10sp 105, Avid discs, rack and guards and comes with 32c CX tyres as standard but I now run 28c Conti 4Seasons. Apart from being white and showing every little dirt/mud splash I've got no complaints with it.

http://www.formebikes.co.uk/products/bikes/road/calvercxsport

Btwin nework 700 Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub gear as reviewed in the forum,
hub gears are weatherproof for Winter riding.

http://road.cc/content/review/135516-btwin-nework-700-city-bike

Yeah, the advice on the Evans question page is certainly contradictory!

One of the reasons I chose the Whyte was because you can get Whyte-designed model specific mudguards for it (and still have 28mm tyres), no fannying about trying to get SKS ones to fit. Think they're about £35.

Also on my list was the GT Grade Alloy 105 and the Genesis Equilibrium Disc 10, but the Whyte seemed to be the best all round proposition for me.

Ah, on reading properly I realise you already mentioned the Whyte.

If you definitely can't go over the C2W limit then the Dorset is basically the same bike but with a 9 speed Tiagra/Sora mix.

11 speed 105 is definitely worth the extra £200 though...

If you can put another £200 in on top of C2W, the Whyte Suffolk ticks all your boxes. I get mine in a couple of weeks.

+1 on the 2015 Cannondale Synapse 105 Disc (11sp). I have one and have been told it will take full mudguards so ordered some SKS Chromoplastics and waiting for them to arrive. Currently on 25mm but looking at getting some 28mm 4Seasons if they will fit. Fingers crossed

Take a look at ribble winter bikes