I Can't Decide. Road or CX Bike for Central London?

[WuMyster]

With all the public transport issues these past months, I decided to try my luck at cycling around Central London and fallen in love. I'm using an old/heavy Merida MTB I bought years ago just for something to get me around when I was living outside of London.

Now I plan on commuting by bike 99% of the time. I have a budget of around £1500 but cannot for the life of me decide if I want a CX or road bike.

CX is more versatile, hydraulic discs come on cheaper bikes but I just can't budge the fact that I will be faster on a road bike and there are no trail routes in Central London.

Any thoughts on which I can pick? Musts are hydraulic disc brakes.

 

[WuMyster]

So for someone like me who doesn't want to bother changing tires. Is a road bike the way to go then? I don't plan to ever ride on anything but the road.

 

[WuMyster]

Do this


Put these on.

That's what I've got although I bought 28c tyres.


I'd never changed a tyre/tube before yesterday, it took me somewhere between half an hour and forty five minutes to swap both tyres and tubes, there are plenty of guides on youtube so just find the one with the prettiest presenter

Took note of your recommendation.

I've been MTBing for my whole life, I can change an inner tube in 2-3 minutes but for a commuting machine, I just want to ride it and not have to change tyres for seasons.

 

[WuMyster]

A few tips for a London bike:

• £1500 is a lot of money to leave locked up around London. It's a big risk. Think about what locks you want to ensure it doesn't get stolen. Fahg, Kryptonite Mini etc.
  Will be locked up at home or in work. I do also own a full size Kryptonite Fahg lock but may pick up the smaller one later down the line.
• Bin ALL the quick releases in favour of conventional hex or security fittings. If it comes off easily, it will get stolen.
  Plan was to remove quick releases.
• London bikes get bashed around a lot. People kick them. People bash into them. Other bikes get crashed into them. Make sure the bike can take some punishment and take getting scratched up. Thin carbon not most suitable, aluminium is better.
  People will be jerks, I'll have the bike insured with Wiggles.
• Stealth is best. Don't attract attention - less likely to attract thieves. Take off the loud stickers.
  ............. I like stickers
  
• Do you NEED gears? Fixed gear and SS are so popular in London for a reason. There are no hills. Fixed and SS is much less maintenance and far less to go wrong or out of adjustment.
  Couldn't imagine riding without gears; especially from a red light. I've tried a fixie and the only thing I like about it was the ability to balance at a red light with both feet on pedals.
  
• Roads in London are getting worse and worse. I'd agree with the 25mm tyre size minimum. I ride mine on 20s, but will almost get thrown off the bike on some roads if I'm not paying attention.
  This is what makes the decision of CX or road so hard for me. I feel as though London roads are good but almost everyone disagrees. I may be lucky with the routes I'm taking.
  
• If it's being left outside then durability is more important than lightweight and performance. Sealed bearings and stuff that doesn't corrode or degrade. Tough tyres. Strong wheels.
  Won't be left outside. Will be in my home.
  

Sorry, I misunderstood your comment about changing tyres

No worries.