This is mostly to get my thoughts down on "paper", but would welcome any input...
My current commuter is a 2003 Specialized Allez that I've upgraded to 105 (or 105 level) components all around. I've managed to squeeze some 700x28 tires on there, but there is no extra clearance whatsoever. That being said, I'm happy with a road bike for my commute. I don't need fenders, because it rarely rains in the mornings (when it does, I just drive in) here in the desert and I don't particularly care if I get wet on the way home. I travel light (change of clothes and an iPad, maybe lunch) with a messenger bag, so a rack isn't a necessity, but may be a nice option.
My commute is a little more than 13 miles one-way (downhill and usually cool to work, uphill and usually hot on the way home). I usually ride in the mornings and take the bus within 5 miles of home in the evenings, so about 18 miles total per day, approximately 3 days/week. I also ride 10-15 miles for general fitness a couple additional times a week. I occasionally (like every few years) will do a century or similar ride. No group rides.
I've decided on a steel frame, because I like them
My other bikes are a steel single speed MTB (KHS Solo One) and a steel Trek Sawyer 29er (set up for MTB, not road).
Requirements:
Steel (I could possibly be talked out of this, but not likely)
Drop bars
Reasonable tire size (28s or a little bigger might be nice)
Fenders are not necessary and would likely not be used
Rack would be a nice possibility, but not absolutely necessary
I'd like to keep the budget under $1000
My first thought was to build a Surly Pacer or a Soma Smoothie using the parts off of my current bike. It looks like about $400 for the Pacer frameset and most everything would swap over, except for brakes (I think).
I've gone to several bike shops over the past week or so and rode a few bikes, including several cross type bikes and I think I want to lean more towards the road spectrum than the cross spectrum.
One shop had a 2013 Kona *****tonk on clearance for $850 in a 53cm. My current road bike is a 54cm and the 53 felt a bit cramped when in the drops, but okay on the hoods. The LBS seemed to think a longer stem (it came with a 90mm stem) and a bar rotation would correct that as well as flipping the stem. I'm a bit worried about the Sora components, but since they eliminated the thumb shifter, I think I'll be okay with them. I'm planning on selling my current bike, so I could possibly move the 105 stuff over.
Finally, I spotted a Schwinn Slicker on the local CL for $250. It's a 1x9 and for my use, I think it would be fine and actually kinda cool. That being said, I think I've talked myself out of that one, because I'm worried at some point that I'll want a few more gears on my road bike.
Anyhow, those are my ramblings...I'm definitely leaning towards the *****tonk at this point and will see if they will set it up with a longer stem for another test ride on Friday (if they still have it).
Thoughts, if you have any...Thanks!