I recently started riding my Trek 7.2 again and I plan to build a road bike over the winter months. I'm looking for something comfortable and more along the lines of a Rivendell bike (ability to accept wider tires, relaxed geometry, etc..). I'd love to have a Riv bike but just can't afford it right now. I plan to do several weekly rides ranging from a few miles to 20-30 on weekends. I might even shoot for a century. My normal riding surface is pavement but I might venture onto some dirt roads. I definately prefer 700C tires and am looking for the best compromise between speed and comfort. I plan to set it up with drop bars. No fenders and no racks. It may be superficial but I'm not a big fan of sloped tubes. I much prefer a level top tube (or close too it).

Bikes I've considered:

Surly LHT
Surly Cross Check
Salsa Casseroll
Soma ES

I would love to hear people's experiences with those bikes as well as recommendations for others not listed.