I currently commute to work (9 miles each way mainly on cycle paths, which are at times muddy, glassy and bumpy) on a Brompton. Previously I had a train journey in the middle of my journey, hence needing the folder, but that's no longer the case, so I'm looking for something different.

The Brompton is OK, but I have had a few problems with it and I don't think it's really rugged enough for the daily rigours of my commute. Also, I find it a slow bike and I'm sick of being overtaken by people on full-sized bikes who look a lot older and less fit than me!

So, essentially, I'm looking for something a bit more comfortable, more rugged (something built to last and go for years and years) and a bit quicker.

I don't really want a mountain bike (don't think I'd ever go properly off-road), a racer (I think the narrow wheels would struggle on the cycle paths I commute along), or a hybrid (probably still too close to a mountain bike for me).

I've kind of narrowed it down, then, to either a cyclocross or a touring bike. I'm in two minds about this - I'm concerned that the touring bikes could be a bit heavy and unwieldy, but that the cyclocross bikes, whilst nimble, might not be built to last more than a season or two.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It would need to be sub £1000, ideally nearer the £500 mark. Panniers, etc would be an advantage, but not vital - I'm not sure I'd ever do any full-on touring, and I don't actually carry much "stuff" to work. Mud-guards (or at least the fittings to attach them) are probably a must, though.