The English is prone to transposition. Just because you get the first move, doesn't mean you get to determine the whole course of the game.
I found, when I played the Dutch against the English, that people who avoided d4 really didn't to themselves any favors.
-The responses don't come up often enough for me to play 2.d4 and transpose into mainline QG, a they probably play the same line againt 1.d4 and my experience would be outclassed.
I'd play 2. d4 anyways. Chances are that you would only get "outclassed" by a higher rated player.
You can consider staring with 1.Nf3 which gives you more flexibility vs some things (eg you'd be less likely to see 1...c6) at the expense of creating new dilemmas (eg they can now play 1...d5 comfortably).
I do feel that the lines with 1.c4 and a quick g3 for white are quite pleasant for white to play though, play them often enough and it will usually be your opponents experience is very much wanting, as they will face the Reti much less often that you play it.
Their hearts will often sink when you don't follow up with 2.d4 :)
You can consider staring with 1.Nf3 which gives you more flexibility vs some things (eg you'd be less likely to see 1...c6) at the expense of creating new dilemmas (eg they can now play 1...d5 comfortably).
I would, the only problem is that I transpose into a saemisch line against the KID, which im quite fond of and score well in.
@MervynS, that's true, it's just a lot of upkeep in the slav mainlines for something I will rarely play, maybe 1/30 games as white, whereas my opponents may play the positions daily.
@Spudnik, of course the english is prone to transposition, but just because it is prone to transposition does not mean I have to transpose. Playing 1..c6 or 1..e6 as black doesn't force me to play 2.d4. I also disagree with the comment about the dutch, there are some very strong setups white may employ by playing d3 instead of d4. Not necessarily better than mainline against dutch with d4, but probably just as good.
@MervynS, that's true, it's just a lot of upkeep in the slav mainlines for something I will rarely play, maybe 1/30 games as white, whereas my opponents may play the positions daily.
I play the Slav exchange variation, but even in the regular Slav, play something quiet like 4. e3 and try to wing it.
A recent game with 4. e3 can be found here:
http://en.chessbase.com/post/gashimov-r9-all-rests-on-one-game
I recommend you just learn the QGD so you can play 2.d4. it offers the best advantage. the exchange variation of the QGD can be very straightforward and against the Slav/Semi-Slav, you can always just play the exchange variation and get a playable position.
Id probably agree the exchange slav and exchange QGD sound like the most suitable options, especially as I played them some time back, so I already have a bit of experience. Thanks everyone for the help.
One problem I've had with my repertoire for a while is how to respond to 1.c4 c6/e6.
-The responses don't come up often enough for me to play 2.d4 and transpose into mainline QG, a they probably play the same line againt 1.d4 and my experience would be outclassed.
-I don't really fancy the 2.g3 lines where I feel like white doesn't get much of anything, especially against c6.
-Ive been playing 2.e4 to both, but here I just end up with an IQP and not much activity imo. I transpose to 2.c4 caro v 1..c6 and a variations of the danish gambit declined v 1..e6.
Are there any independent, lines I can use after 1.c4 e6 or 1.c4 c6?