Suggest a Cyclocross frameset..
 

But here's the kicker... it needs to be available for purchase in 54cm. And disc capable.

That's ruled out:
Soma Double Cross DC
Kona Jake The Snake
Neither of which seem to be in stock anywhere in 54cm.

Not particularly fond of the Surly Crosscheck and can't stand the Salsa colors. Special preference given to steel..

I know I'm missing some out there, looking to the collective for ideas. Not looking to give up my first born as far as cost is concerned.

Oh, and on edit... Nothing from BikesDirect. I own one of their heaps. Never again.

Thanks.
Roger

Do want: Vassago Fisticuff

You would be hard pressed to beat the price of this:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...397_-1___14500

Biggest issue I have with that frame is the fact that it's a cyclocross frame (and alum is not my first choice) and yet the derailer runs are beneath the BB.

Nice, but I should have specified not SS. I ride 50 miles a day :P

You can gear it:

http://vassagocycles.com/xmlstuff/pics/fisty/img05.jpg

I want to get one of those. Since getting my Jabberwocky, I'm a big fan of their bikes.

Gunnar Fastlane
Van Dessel Counrty Road Bob

http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruz08.html

53 or 55 cm (no 54, but 53 or 55 should suffice, right?)

Thanks. 53 in that frame. It's on the short list, but would have to include a trip to the powdercoaters as I can't stand that color!

+1 on the Nashbar X

I've been commuting on this frame for 2 years and it's a great deal. I'm also running the Nashbar carbon disc fork.

LOL! yeah, and I did see the color comment in the OP. It is a sweet frame though. It is definitely on my shortlist.

What I had my heart set on from the moment I saw it was this: http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/bik...oss/pure-blood. But it's not particularly cheap, which is why I don't have one.

Getting disc-friendly front fork is another option - front brake is the important one.

Others may know more though.

What about the Redline Conquest? I know at least the base model is disc-capable.

Hoo boy. A German bike called the "Pure Blood" for which the marketing slogan is; "The Rebirth of Race". If that's not on purpose, well, you can't write fiction with advertising accidents that funny.

One ever so slight step down on the funny meter is their bike called "The Peacemaker", which sports the slogan; "White State of the Art."

That's another on my short list, although only the base model is set up for discs and then it's only 130mm rear spacing. I'm trying to stay 135 as MTB disc hubs are easier to come by than road spaced ones.

And thanks all for throwing these out here. It's also helping me to define the "needs to have" list

These guys used to do custom only, and might be able to accommodate the disc braze-ons for an upcharge. Not an inexpensive frame though! http://www.spotbikes.com/bikes/tan

This is a custom framebuilder in Colorado who is known for his bang for the buck factor. http://www.waltworks.com/dev/index.php

The Vassago Fisticuff looks like a GREAT bang for the buck. I've been planning to build up a Jabberwocky SS 29er, and have heard nothing but good about their frames.

I scored a new Cannondale 09 X7 for under a grand and it's been an awesome bike, got SKS 45's on it, in the winter it's got Hakka W106, summer Gatorskin 28's. I still defer to a fast road bike for nice days but on the wet and winter days it's just slightly slower than my R1000 C'dale. Wheels are a little weak but eventually will get swapped out for something much better. The Sora brifters aren't actually that bad, they're good with long finger gloves in the winter, eventually a nice SRAM setup will go in but for now, bang for the buck complete bike, this was impossible to beat IMO. Made in the USA too... Took me several months of stalking Craigslist and ebay before I found what I wanted though...

Cycletofitness.com is showing a Soma Double Cross DC size 54 in stock (at least on their website) with free shipping. Never heard of them but it might be worth checking out.

http://storesense4.megawebservers.co...oss/Detail.bok

http://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html

I know you said no salsa bikes but there is the salsa fargo. It's not too hideous of a green color. I just hate the sloping top tube. I understand why they did it but I still don't like it.

CtoF is a great shop to work with. Give Daniel a call at the number on the site (tell him Ritzy sent ya!), he's excellent at answering questions and getting you the info you need. I'd be considering the same frame if the fork was included.

Sorry, I don't have a recommendation to share. I'm kind of in the same boat. :) Good luck!

Thanks. Except for the drop bars similar to one I ride now.

http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/kaitai

Comfy bike, but looking for something a bit more road oriented but not a full-on road bike.

That's the best laugh I've had all day... Thanks. :)

Oh, and as Banzai pointed out to me in a previous thread, the Nashbar "X" now comes with 130mm rear spacing. I have an older model with 135mm - and would have recommended it to you except for that little change.

Thanks Not in stock. Talked to Soma today, there are none in the channel at all and the ones in the pipeline are bobbing around in the Pacific and are 3-4 weeks out.

I want to add 2 thumbs up to the Nashbar X frame. A little backstory....I built a commuter using the frame and their carbon fork. I live about 25 miles from where I work and to make things a little easier, I drive in with the car and bike just inside the city limits, park and then ride the bike in the last 6 miles.

The second week of commuting with it, I had the bike on trunk mount car carrier. It was early in the morning, and I didn't realize I hadn't strapped the bike on the carrier. Well, I guess you know what's coming....

Well, I got out on the main highway and at about 50 miles per hour the bike flew off the carrier and hit the road. I saw it go in the rear view mirror. I just knew that was it for my new bike. I pulled over and jumped out and ran back while the cars behind me were trying to work their way around my bike lying in the road.

I grabbed it up and got it off onto the side of the road. The bike had no significant damage. The frame had held up, no cracks, no odd bends. The Nashbar carbon fork got off scot free as well. The handlebar, rear rack, pedal, rear skewer, seat and left brifter (Nashbar MicroShift) took the brunt of the fall. I have a Vuelta Corsa wheelset with Conti GP 4 Season tires. They were OK. I rode the bike in that morning without further incident. I've given it a good check out, been on a couple of 23 mile group rides with it. No problems!

I got off easy. I know it could have been far worse. But still, I'm pretty impressed with the frame and fork.