For a friend, thinks he wants a racer, roads are a bit crappy (so I ride a Pompino), he wants gears. £3-400 quid tops.

Spesh Sirrus.

The Spesh Tricross works for me, I do about 15 miles each way, I run a SS.

Loads of rack mounts etc, Mine was £420

I ride mostly down a tow path which is pretty bad in places, its held up to everything so far….

I use a Kona Jake the Snake with 25mm slicks, works a treat on my 20 mile each way commute. You could probably get a decent s/h cx bike for that sort of money.

Factors for me would be fitting rack and mudguards and wide enough tyres. I’d want gears too.

Condor Fratello.

see:

Condor Fratello Frameset | Our signature steel all-rounder

I love mine.

those Fratellos look good but are three times the budget specified. I’d just get a road bike that can take 25s and mudguards. A bottom of the range trek or giant probably.

Kona Dew Drop. Or a roadie that can take 25mm tyres or even larger.

I love mine.

I’m sure you do, however it’s almost three times his budget.