forward-facing dropouts, rack & fender mounts
 

any frames besides these three that i am missing? aside from all the 80s frames that also fit the bill.

cross check
salsa casseroll
masi speciale commuter

i want to make a commuter. maybe with an internally geared hub.

i like the speciale commuter, though according to masi there aren't plans to sell it as a frameset. don't know if it would be worth $700 if i end up switching out the wheels, crank, seat, and post. if i can get a good deal on the salsa i could see myself going with that, relatively light frame, and i think i'd be fine without cantis.

bianchi volpe

Masi is boombbbb

How about any of the tons of old road bikes that were hand-made by skilled or master builders with better tubing, and are cheaper to boot? You can get an old 531 Trek with all your specs for ~$100.

yeah i know, see the second sentence of the original post. $100 might be optimistic for a nice 620 or 720 from the 1980s, they're kind of collectible. the miyata 1000s are always pretty sought after too.

apparently last year's casseroll framesets went for under $300 on jensonusa toward the end of the season. at that price i'm not sure if even the nicer 531 or other classic frames could compete.

i'd like to know how 531/columbus sl/ishiwata 022/tange #1 actually compare to today's steels.

I apologize, I did skip that second sentence, but I promise, I read everything else.

Two complete Trek 620s with 531 tubing sold for $240 and $400 respectively. That's for a while bike, not a frame, mind you.

You're right that 531 for $100 is a little optimistic, but it's not too far off. They seem to hover between the $100-$200 mark, at least for the ones I've watched. A 52cm 501 frame with a few nicks and scratches, but all your requirements, sold for $62 last week.

i'm working on a similar project but i've more or less conceded to using the cross-check. colors are great, frame options are on the dot, price is decent.

unless you've got a lot more to spend, the only other option i can think of is the surly traveler's check but be prepared to spend close to $1000 for a crosscheck+s&scouplers.

what are you thinking about for brakes? cantis, caliper, drum, coaster, disc, v?

calipers or cantis if the frame takes them. maybe a coaster in the rear.

bonechilling's right about there being comparable frames from the 1980s, though i like threadless and frames built for 700c wheels (in this case the wheel size issue is probably irrelevant though).

This isn't exactly what you asked for, but here are two bikes that have EBBs and are therefore ss-able:

Steelwool Tweed

http://www.steelwoolbicycles.ca/bikes/tweed_big.jpg

Singular Peregrine

http://www.singularcycles.com/images...uild_1_002.jpg

The Peregrine looks completely *****in.

i really like steelwool cycles. that said, the tweed's color is the only reason i can't purchase it.

frame cost aside, i'd prefer to go threadless. worlds easier.