Or go for a BD titanium frame:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._pro_ti_xi.htm Of all the BD bikes, this one seems to be pretty popular:
[TABLE="width: 90%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 100%"]Factory Direct PRICING $1695 (List $3995)
PRICE INCLUDES UPS GROUND TO 48 STATES[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 700"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Main Frame[/TD]
[TD]Vari-Butted Titanium 3/2.5 Geometrically Enhanced tubing, Integrated HeadTube, 2xH2O bottle mounts (brazeons), Shoulder friendly top tube with underside flat section[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Rear Triangle[/TD]
[TD]Vari-Butted Titanium 3/2.5 Geometrically Enhanced tubing with S-bend seatstays, replaceable derailleur hanger, Fender mounts, REAR RACK BRAZE-ONS (Cantilever and IS Disc brake tabs, 130mm rear spacing)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Fork[/TD]
[TD]Motobecane 3K Weave CARBON FIBER Cross fork (AL Steerer1.125 inch)
(Cantilever and IS Disc brake tabs, 100mm spacing)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Crankset[/TD]
[TD]FSA Gossamer Cross MegaEXO External Bottom Bracket, CNC'D 36/46T Chainrings, Polished Black 110BCD(170mm 49-52cm / 172.5mm 54-56cm / 175mm 58-61cm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Bottom Bracket[/TD]
[TD]FSA BB-6000 External Outboard 68mm Sealed Bearing cartridge[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Pedals[/TD]
[TD]NONE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Front Derailleur[/TD]
[TD]SRAM Rival[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Rear Derailleur[/TD]
[TD]SRAM Rival Wi-Fli[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Shifters[/TD]
[TD]SRAM Rival, 10-speed (20 gears total)
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Cassette/Freewheel[/TD]
[TD]SRAM CS PG 1070 CASSETTE 10SP 11-32[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Chain[/TD]
[TD]SRAM Rival 10 Speed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Front Hub [/TD]
[TD]DISC-READY, Vuelta PRO, Black, 28H sealed precision bearing with QR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Rear Hub[/TD]
[TD]DISC-READY, Vuelta PRO, Black, 32H sealed precision bearing, with QR, 130mm spacing[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Spokes[/TD]
[TD]Black Stainless, Butted[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Rims[/TD]
[TD]Vuelta PRO w/CNC Sidewalls 6061 T6 Aluminum[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Tires[/TD]
[TD]Kenda Kwicker Cross Kevlar bead DTC, 700 x 32c + presta tubes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Brake Set[/TD]
[TD]Avid Shorty 4 Cantilever Aluminum, Black or Silver finish (NoChoice)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Brake Levers[/TD]
[TD]SRAM Rival Brake/Shift STI 10 speed (20 gears total)
AND Tektro RL570 Cross Top Levers (brake from the tops of the bars)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Headset[/TD]
[TD]FSA Orbit IS2 Integrated, 1.125" Threadless w/ Sealed Bearing[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Handlebar[/TD]
[TD]Ritchey BioMax PRO, 31.8mm, triple-butted 7075 Aluminum Road
(400mm width for 49 to 54cm, 420mm for 56 to 61cm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Stem[/TD]
[TD]Ritchey PRO 4Axis, Threadless - 6 degree Aluminum 31.8mm
(90mm 49-52cm / 100mm 54-56cm / 110mm 58-61cm)
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Tape/Grip[/TD]
[TD]Custom cork wrap[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Saddle[/TD]
[TD]Ritchey PRO Streem V2, hollow CrMo Rails[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Seat Post[/TD]
[TD]Ritchey PRO Aluminum, 27.2mm x 300mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Seat Clamp[/TD]
[TD]Ultralite alloy, 31.8mm, Lazer etched[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Sizes[/TD]
[TD]49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm | Cross Geometry Chart[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 134"]Colors[/TD]
[TD]Brushed Titanium[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"] Our low price is $1,695.95 Factory Direct
Compare at $4,000 and up
(NOTE: The 2013 will have the newest Rival Shifters+Derailleurs)This bike comes 90% assembled.
We suggest you take it to your local bike shop for final assembly & safety checks.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Originally Posted by
4Rings6Stars
I know you said you're only looking for steel... but have you tried a titanium frame?
Titanium is like steel only...better. Only real drawbacks are that it is more difficult to work with and more expensive, but that doesn't seem to be a concern for you.
If I wanted the best bike I could buy, I would get a custom titanium cyclocross frame (with some more sport-touring geometry changes like lower BB and ability to set up for light touring), disc brakes, Campy EPS...... First choice would be Steve Potts, then Moots.
Steel? I would be taking a very serious look at Dave Kirk. Here is a bike he recently built for himself:
http://www.kirkframeworks.com/blog/2...ready-to-race/
Just saw this posted recently, also stunning:
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2012/...t-disk-road/#1
I LOVE my IF planet cross. It's my favorite bike for road riding, cross riding, gravel/fire roads...etc. I would like another one of these but in ti with disc tabs at some point too...