FWIW I am commuting on a Pake C'Mute and am loving every minute of it....

Same cyclocross style wide tire capable, cheap but still a solid build. I contemplated this frame and the surly cross check but the Pake has a longer headtube and and was much cheaper. I ride on crap streets everyday with 28c tires and think you can not beat the balance between cushion and speed.

It as sold as a frame only, which is what I was looking for and may not work for you, but it is def worth a look....