So, I'm looking to get my first "grown up" bike. I've been riding my dad's hybrid trail bike (that is too small for me) to work/university almost every day on roads (occasionally cobbled), with longer weekly rides out of town on both roads and canal towpaths, just for the fun of it.
After a few rides on friends' road bikes/tourers I'm keen to get something a bit more aggressive. I started looking at hybrids but am keen for something with drop bars. As its always raining here in Scotland, it also has to work reasonably in the wet and have good mudguards (prefitted or enough clearance).
After sifting through many road bikes without clearance for mudguards, overly heavy-duty tourers/cross bikes, I think that an "audax" bike may be the best style for me. I've managed to find a store selling the Dawes Clubman for £570 (~$930) despite 99% of other stores selling for the RRP of £850 (~$1,400). My budget is pretty tight - ideally under £500 but since this one is reduced so much I figure the extra £70 will be worth the higher quality.
Link to the bike: http://www.dawescycles.com/p-395-clubman.aspx
Any advice/thoughts?
I'm also wondering, since this has 25c tires, which I understand would be unsuitable for towpaths, is there any way at all I would be able to switch out the tires when necessary?