Do-everything Bike Recommendations

Hi!

So I’m still a relatively new cyclist and have been riding my hybrid Merida Crossway 20MD for a year now. While it’s a great bike to ride round town and short rides, I’ve kind of caught the cycling bug and I’m looking for something a little more capable! 

My bike is my only form of transport and so I use it to carry my shopping home, cycle into the city and I occasionally cycle to work (15 miles each way). This is the main reason I want to upgrade as it’s quite hard work at the moment on my hybrid especially when there is a strong SW wind and I’d like to commute by bike more.

Of course, the choices are absolutely vast these days so where better than here to get some advice from people who know their stuff! My bike knowledge is a lot better than a year ago, but still not perfect!

So my budget is between £800 to £1300and I think I’m looking for something a long the lines of a road plus or gravel bike.

Other requirements:

• Able to fit full mudguards and rack
• Easy maintenance and weather resistant
• Focus more on comfort than speed.
• Low key look (less likely to be stolen)

I’m looking to buy something maybe over the summer although I could wait till September.

In my research I have found a few models that look like they could meet the bill so any owners of these bikes I’d love to hear from!

Ribble CGR – seems to get great reviews everywhere I look and it is also very good value, I’m not a fan of the colour scheme though

Trek Crossrip 2 https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/urban-commuter-bikes/crossrip/crossrip-2/p/22045/ Again seems a solid bike, but conspicuously no in depth reviews anywhere for it

Whyte Glencoe – Probably my favourite bike that I have seen on my internet searches. I like that it has wide tyres as potholes are a hazard on the countryside roads I prefer to cycle on. The 1×11 gearset also intrigues me! However, it’s at the top end of my budget!

Lastly, the Kinesis Tripster AT sounds like it could potentially meet my needs (if I picked a cheaper groupset) However, this is complicated by the fact I would have no idea how to put it together!

Would love to hear people’s thoughts on these bikes or any other suggestions you may have!