I can't commit to bicycles. I buy and sell all the time. I'll say "this is the one" and 3 months later it's sold and I start over. Since I started commuting I've gone through a number of bikes, just looking for that "spark" or the "oh yeah" feeling. I bought my Cross Check in September 2009. I love this bike, it does everything I ask of it. Sure I still eye other bikes, but nothing else has come along that is worth getting rid of my Cross Check for. Surly has a magic to it, it's hard to describe. Some people can ride a Surly and move on like it's no big deal. Others take one ride and it's love. When I get bored with it I throw racks and fenders on. Or strip it down and put slicks on it. Or the knobbies and go play in the mud. It loves it.

With that said, when you're talking about spending over a grand on a bike, make sure it's love, and not "it'll do". I think you'd find some of that love in a Surly. Or a Kona. Or a Salsa. Or a....you get the point.