Originally Posted by filtersweep
Amen to that. Your commuter will be beat to hell anyway. This is no fairweather bike you are talking about. It is a commuter: might as well go with old technology. I ride fixed- but it sounds like you want some gears. Try an old 7 or 8 speed- and skip STIs. You want something bulletproof that can take a beating, rain or shine. Old-lugged-steel. They are almost giving these away. Modern touring bikes will often be steel anyway. Get something that you can afford to have stolen.
My custom touring bike cost me $325 and exceeds the Bianchi Volpe* in nearly every respect, particularly the drivetrain components and the premium tubing steel frame. LX derailers + brakes, 105 hubs + cassette, Mavic rims, Truvativ cranks, etc. The only thing is the Volpe has Tiagra STI while my bike has SunTour bar-end shifters.
I agree, build a custom bike. Start with a sturdy steel frame. I have a "spare" 56 cm 1980s Shogun with Tange Champion tubing in my basement, has double eyelets and touring geometry. PM me if you're near DC and interested.
* A coworker of mine rides and loves the Volpe, FWIW