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.
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.