If it makes you feel better, Reynolds 520 is 4130 so your not missing out on anything. The only differences would be the butting profiles, but they are most likely very similar.

Its a really nice build. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on the 58cm deal at Dept of Goods. Just worried it will run small. I tend to ride 63'cm seat tube. Salsa is listing the size as the effective top tube length. Measuring a few of my frames that I like they are around 58cm top tube. I'd have to sell off a couple bikes if I buy one.

Some really nice bikes here. And here is my own commuter, finally a drop bars disc and EBB setup that fits my 6'6" height. It's a mixture of parts, the frame is Poison Chinin IGH from a German company Teikotec, the fork is Salsa Fargo 2010, looong cranks 205mm) from Joseph Kuosac. Couldn't afford a custom built so this is what i came up with finally.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/6...425b008d_c.jpg

Not a true singlespeed. 18 tooth cog for hauling my kids trailer around and 16 tooth for going to work. 44 in the front.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7...d0049bdd_c.jpg

The handlebar is Salsa Cowbell 3.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/6...e0d98094_c.jpg

And the same bike but in the touring mode. Photo taken few weeks ago.
Alfine 8 IGH, BB7 brakes, Salsa Woodchipper handlebars (rest in the garage now) and Gilles Berthoud 60mm stainless steel fenders:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6...4f3452d4_c.jpg

The leather mudflaps are handmade, much cheaper than the ones from Brooks. Applied hot bee wax to it for weather proofing, so far I'm happy with the results:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6...262a026f_c.jpg

Wow. That's pretty unique. I like that.

That's one of the wildest bikes I've ever seen.

Nothing fancy, my Norco Indie 4, less then 2 weeks "old" now.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...2/131716e0.jpg

Fenders, bike rack, bottle holder, coffee cup holder and kick stand all added by me after my purchase. I hope to convert it into a Belt drive Alfine system by fall to be ready for winter.

Jim

I have always thought this was a great bike if I ever decided to go the IGH route. It sounds like you have been happy with it, but I would like to hear more about what you think.

Those are pretty levers and the bike is a wonderful build

Some of you know this bike as my commuter but it was stolen 3 weeks ago.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/6.jpg

In replacing it, I decided to keep my next road bike light and lean by not outfitting it for commuting. Instead, I've chosen to use a simple Hybrid for my new pick-up truck/commuter. It is a modest Giant Escape 1 fully outfitted for commuting and cargo hauling. So far it's proving to do a fine job. It is pictured here in full compliment and the way it will usually be set up. The road bike is being replaced with a 2012 Defy II Composite.

This is how the Escape 1 started out:

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../Escape_1b.jpg

But it quickly mutated to this capable hauler:

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4699b.jpg

But more often will be set up this way:

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4647b.jpg

Now just a couple more beauty shots

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4706b.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4695b.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4651b.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMGP4690b.jpg

I have a house in escrow so I can't be seen moving this kind of dollars but I count the days. This comes immediately after the house closes. The Escape is religated to the commute and city exploring and the Defy lives on the River Mountain Trail and Northshore roads.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/p...posite-2-b.jpg

Still trying to get everything set-up, but here's my new commuter - stock Surly Cross Check I picked up on clearance:
http://i.imgur.com/jDSzG.jpg

^Nice Surly bike.

Hi BSE,

Thanks for responding. I've been leaning toward the Salsa and your praise is good to hear. But without a test ride I'm hesitant to make that commitment. Also, I'd need a 50 or 52 frame, unfortunately, or I probably would take the risk on the Salsa at that price.

Thanks again. Cheers.

Thanks QStorm, but a 59 is way too big for me. I'm still hoping to find one to test ride, but may decide to take the risk on it anyway. Cheers.

I'm considering a Surly Cross Check. What is your impression and thoughts so far?

I really like it. I tried out a Bianchi Volpe that I liked better, but I tried the Cross Check and liked it to and pulled the trigger when I found out it was on sale ($960). My only complaint about the Cross Check, and my understanding is this is pretty common with cyclocross bikes, is the bar-end shifters, but I'm sure I'll get used to them the more I ride it. It's a serious improvement over the Trek 4300 I was riding.

The bike itself is wonderful excellent build quality, ability to fit huge tires, has threaded holes for racks/fenders/baskets, brakes are just decent, would have liked discs or the nexus with the rear coaster brake, it is heavy when compared to a road bike but as far as commuters go its probably somewhere in the middle but it does have some nice beefy components with all look like they can taking a beating, the paint is beautiful with lots of fine mica flake overall for 450$ I think its a good value and way better than the mtb I was using

the nexus hub though has really been trouble free I have only had to adjust it twice which took maybe 30 secs, Flat tires do take alittle longer and the 1st time you do it is really confusing, the 8 speeds are more than enough for me, I am impressed with the range of gears they were able to cram in there, the 8th gear is insanely tall and I have used it only a handful of times, the 1st gear is super low and I do find myself using it a lot. the ability to just hop on and go and not worry about it was it biggest draw as the more complicated it is for me to ride a bike the less I actually ride it

I found I got used to the bar end shifters on my cross check in about the first 3 weeks. I have actually found them to be quite nice and versatile.

In the winter, I have found it necessary to switch the rear shifter into friction mode because of poor operating conditions which is easy to do on the fly.

Also, I had a crash several weeks ago that sent me over the bars (I walked away unhurt because of heavy winter clothes and a helmet), and I mangled one of the brake levers. With brifters, this would be a pretty serious issue, but I was able to cobble it back together long enough to ride home and then replace it on the cheap.

Reynolds 520 is 4130 cromo.

Here's my new bike for commuting. It's a Schwinn Empire XL.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243567

Cool thanks for the feedback. I had forgotten about the ability to put huge tires in there. I'd to get one of these, but I gotta thin out the herd before I would be able to do that and who knows when that will happen. It would make a great winter bike.

I just built this bike up. Twas my first bike build!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/6...0344e37b_c.jpg

plans for the bike:

to put on 3M Orange reflective tape on the frame
install my old planet bike cascadia fenders
install my topeak rack
install theft resistant bolts (seatpost/seat/headset/stem/brifters/ect ect)

I've got my old lights, bell, and NYC Kryptonite lock for it too. This will be my commuter/errand/city bike.

Here is my fresh errand runner. Just picked it up yesterday. It is really comfortable. I just need either bar ends or an adjustable stem (or both) and it will be perfect.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...rtDay101-1.jpg

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...rtDay104-1.jpg

This is really a nice one!