B'twin Ultra 720 AF...

Been beaten to it, but if you want one bike for all year, what about Pinnacle Dolomite from Evans? Compact chainset, 11-28 cassette. Mudguard mounts, clearance for 28c tyres + full guards. Hydro disc brakes, Tiagra/105 depending on budget. Lower spec than BTwin, but maybe more practical?

Oh yes, and SRAM is really good. I can swap between Shimano, SRAM and Campag no problems. They are all intuitive to use.

Also worth looking at Merlins own brand, Wiggles Eastway and Verenti range, Chain Reactions Vitus bikes range, and Evans Pinnacles. also good value and sometimes some corking end of season bargains.

I think you need to make a list of things you need on your bike and things you would like, something like this:

Compact Crank and/or 11-32 cassette - Need? (I still think you could cope with semi compact and 11-28 but it's your call)

Shimano Groupset Tiagra plus - Need? (you seem to have chosen at least Tiagra bikes and dismissed SRAM)

Clearance for Mudguards - Need (going of what you've said it's a must?)

Clearance for at least 28mm tyres - Need? (Just assuming you want a more cussioned ride)

Mounts for Mudguards - Like (as long as you have clearance there are other mouning options)

Mounts for Panniers - Like? (I don't think you  have specificaly mentioned this but I get the impression you would like this?)

Once you have your check list of requirements it will be easier to compare bikes that meet your specific needs

You could also look at ex display model bikes like this
https://www.scotbycycles.co.uk/2328/products/2016-cannondale-synapse-all...

I went for a 540 as a winter bike, mainly as I was sick of bodged on guards fitted to summer bikes that constantly rubbed. The 720 AF has got the clearance for proper guards either.

My suggestion would be 540 for a year, keep it as a winter bike and buy a really nice summer bike for next year

JimD666 wrote:

too much bike for a beginner cyclist?

The B'twin Road Bike Range is an excellent starting place for a beginner road cyclist by all accounts. As to wether it is too much, only your wallet can tell you that

JimD666 wrote:

Started riding after 30+ years on a cheap MTB from a certain high street shop and have realised I actually prefer being on the road so started to look for a replacement.

Keep getting drawn towards the B'twin bike's as they seem to be excellent value for money.

Well done on getting back into it after 30+ years, I did a very similar thing. I hadn't really ridden for ~30 years and started back on a hybrid but did not gain a real love till I went for a drop bar bike (though I was part forced into the swap by theft).

JimD666 wrote:

If I went for the cheaper 540 I'll also be looking to changing to a Compact 50/34 vs the 52/36 it comes with and possibly the tyres. I can (just about) stretch to the 720 without needing to change much of anything. Just add mudguards (assuming it can take them?).

As Simontuck says, just try out the original spec and see how you get on. If you feel you need the extra assistance to get you up hills then changing the rear cassette from the 11-28 to a 11-32 will give you greater range than changing the crankset and be a lot cheaper. Unless you have killer hills near you though I very much doubt you'll need it, just keep at tackling the hills till you are king of them

Also I generally think that you may well apreciate having a little cash spare to personalise the elements you find could be improved rather than overspend and be stuck with them.

JimD666 wrote:

Are there better options for a beginner cyclist? Or is it a fairly safe bet?

B'Twin are a safe bet, I expect that if your desire for cycling should outgrow the bike then it will only be demoted to a "winter bike" (people with a REALLY nice bike don't tend to ride it in winter as the season can be a little corrosive) and not be completely abandoned.

JimD666 wrote:

Should add I'm massively unfit (though it's getting better - slowly) and a little overweight (only a little)

I was in the same situation as I was a Consultant so living out of hotel rooms without much opportunity to exercise or eat healthy. I quit and got a job closer to home and started commuting by bike the ~3.5 miles each way to work. The commute took me the same amount of time as any other mode of transport but the weight dropped off (3 stone and counting) and my base fitness increased substantially.
If you too are considering using the bike to commute it may be worth noting that the 540 can take pannier racks where as the 720 cannot.

JimD666 wrote:

Thanks for any help/advice.

You are most welcome, I just hope it is useful to you and not just my ramblings

Changing outer can be pricey, maybe ask the shop to change both rings when buying the bike. If they won't, then you could just do the inner. Pretty much every groupset manufacturer says don't ride 52/34, but I ran that recently on the missus' bike (actually couldn't get the SRAM 50t outer anywhere) and it was perfect. 

Cheap 34t inner. Stock up on some water bottles and other crap from them here too to make the delivery fee worthwhile.

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-ultegra-fc-6800-chainring/ai...

Why are you so keen to change to a compact 50/34? I'd say try the oe spec and see how you get on. Unless you're riding up mountains you'll be fine, there's not that much difference as long as you have a decent cassette. Of course, changing the cassette is then a cheaper option to start with. You'd be better off putting the £50 for a chainset towards some decent bibs or shoes/ pedals.

you won't go wrong with any of the B'twin bikes.... they put many of the so called brand names to shame for spec, finish, price and build quality

I bought a B-Twin Triban 500 in 2014 as my first road bike, had Shimano Sora triple and it was a great bike, bulletproof, and cheap to maintain.

Think it cost me £450 and I sold it a year later for £300 when I upgraded. Didn't really need to upgrade but was getting quite into it and fancied something a bit lighter and a bit posher (not a poser honest), the limiting factor in performance mostly being my weight and fitness and not the bike itself.

I would say the 540 looks like a great bike for the money however if you live somewhere hilly and aren't particularly light you will definitely appreciate a compact crank set and from memory the Hutchinson tyres that came with my model were pretty terrible in the wet.

So if you can stretch to the 720 i'd got for that, you are getting a better frame, a full ultegra groupset, better wheelset, 1.1 kg weight saving for £400. 

Maybe if I had gone for something a little more premium like the 720 to start with I wouldn't have upgraded so soon, but I don't think you can get a better spec/value entry level bike than  any of the B-twin lineup.