The near-perfect commuter?

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OK, let me try this again, as the board was hiccuping on me the other day.

I've been poring through all these "best bike" threads and various website looking for my uber-commuter. I'm so close I can taste it, but haven't hit on all cylinders yet.

What I'm looking for:
- steel frame
- available in XL size (TT vic 61/62cm) as I'm 6'5", 225.
- horizontal drop outs (for internal gear hub)
- braze-ons for rack and fenders
- 700c wheels w/ decent clearance to around x32, w/ fenders

I've found all that in the Surly Cross Check and a couple of other frames.

But what I really want is disc brakes, too. At least for the front -- I have an Avid BB7 on my current rig and love it, I ride when it is wet. I don't mind a rim brake on the rear, and may even give the Nexus roller or coaster brake a shot.

I'm about to give up on it. All the frames I can find that are disc ready (front) either give up the steel, horizontal drops, rack mounts, reasonable price point, etc. Have to have rack and fenders. Just WANT the disc, too.

Alternately, I may see about swapping out the fork, but am concerned about the geometry (and still want a fork mounted front fender, not a clip on the down tube).

Any miracles out there?

What's wrong with alloy? Steel is great, but steel is strictly dry weather (for me anyway). The hassle of sanding and repainting whenever you put a scratch on it, having to wash the road muck off to avoid rusting, avoiding road salt, it seems a bit much for the rather minimal benefit of slightly improved comfort.

Save your steel frames by buying an alloy frame for commuting. Spend the extra money on getting nicer wheels to support your weight.

What about a custome frame? Look around, you might find a builder out there who could build you one with all the things you need. You never know, they might be reasonably priced too. Haven't had it done myself but enquired some years ago and it wasn't as pricey as I was expecting.

Steel = old, plush & heavy. Like me ;) . I don't understand the "save money" bit via alloy. But it has been a while since I owned a steel frame -- is it really that much of a bother? I didn't think so.

Re a custom frame. Maybe. The made-to-measure full customs I've seen are pricey. I've seen a number of semi-customs (lost of frame size options) that are more reasonable. I'm still looking.

OK, let me try this again, as the board was hiccuping on me the other day.

I've been poring through all these "best bike" threads and various website looking for my uber-commuter. I'm so close I can taste it, but haven't hit on all cylinders yet.

What I'm looking for:
- steel frame
- available in XL size (TT vic 61/62cm) as I'm 6'5", 225.
- horizontal drop outs (for internal gear hub)
- braze-ons for rack and fenders
- 700c wheels w/ decent clearance to around x32, w/ fenders

I've found all that in the Surly Cross Check and a couple of other frames.

But what I really want is disc brakes, too. At least for the front -- I have an Avid BB7 on my current rig and love it, I ride when it is wet. I don't mind a rim brake on the rear, and may even give the Nexus roller or coaster brake a shot.

I'm about to give up on it. All the frames I can find that are disc ready (front) either give up the steel, horizontal drops, rack mounts, reasonable price point, etc. Have to have rack and fenders. Just WANT the disc, too.

Alternately, I may see about swapping out the fork, but am concerned about the geometry (and still want a fork mounted front fender, not a clip on the down tube).

Any miracles out there?
Check out the Rocky Mountain Metropolis at http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/city/metropolis.aspx
or the Stevens Road Flyer at http://www.stevensbikes.de/2007/index.php?bik_id=142&sect&lang=en_US&flash=no

Very nice bikes.

Check out the Rocky Mountain Metropolis at http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/city/metropolis.aspx
or the Stevens Road Flyer at http://www.stevensbikes.de/2007/index.php?bik_id=142&sect&lang=en_US&flash=no

Very nice bikes.
Interesting.

Didn't know you could slap a disc on a Nexus hub. I've only seen that roller brake thing in all the looking I've done.

Interesting.

Didn't know you could slap a disc on a Nexus hub. I've only seen that roller brake thing in all the looking I've done.
They're AlFine hubs,Shimano's just released top of the line gruppo.