Commuter option

What about the Boardman range - the entry level models are (just) sub 500?

If you can handle single speed - far less stuff to worry about (as was pointed out earlier)

Matthew

I'd agree with that. The Giant Defys are pretty good looking for what they are and I've seen a couple of them with the rack and mudguards and it seems to work well.

The thing I like about the various Giant Defys is that despite being frighteningly competitively priced they still look cool and funky and there don't appear to be any nasty corners cut. Plus you really can fit a rack and their own clever mudguard set for £30. Best of all no one will ever accuse you of being susceptible to buying a 'cool' brand for its own sake. Rather like driving a plain sensible VW, it neither marks you out as being a flash git, nor a cheapskate who doesn't care about engineering.

If your commute isn't too hilly, I'd recommend a single-speed road bike. No gears means four less components to go wrong, two less cables to snap, perfect chainline for much less wear on the chain, and cleaning is just a once-a-month hose-down job instead of half-an-hour per week faffing around with degreasers and tiny brushes. Your 500 quid budget will get you something good, rather than something bottom-of-the-range with Shimano or Campy's cheapest, most plasticy components. If you shop around you might even have some change left from your 500 quid budget to buy accessories (mudguard, lights, bag, etc.) There are loads of choices, but I'd recommend Kona's Paddy Wagon, which is steel for extra comfort, and has the eyelets for full-length mudguards. That said, it has been getting trendier in recent years, to appeal more to the hipster crowd, so there may be better options these days.

Giant defy 4 looks pretty good for the money.

That new Spesh looks really nice in red.

Looks ace although last years model is the same price but with 9spd but Sora parts.

(Or look for a Trek 1200 2nd hand? although buying new you will get waranty and no hassels usually.)

Not much wrong with a Sirrus, or a Trek FX for that matter. The former is a bit of a lower riding position which might suit if your commute is fairly lengthy. You can also get a Specialized Allez for £500 which we haven't tested yet but looks to be super value.

Other options? Giant Rapid 4 or Defy 4, Trek 1.1, I think Land Rover do a decent spec flat bar machine for about £450 too