A friend of mine just sent pics of his new Surly Straggler build. It's not even dirty yet, but based on the few miles he has on it, he likes it a lot. He built it up with a Sora triple, BB7 brakes, Shimano Alfine dyno hub in front, B&M lights, Topeak Super Tourist disc rack, and SKS fenders. He's running 40mm tires on it now, planning on 28s for summer.

If it turns out aluminum with rim brakes is in the cards for you, I'm very pleased with the Ribble Winter/Audax I built up last spring. I bought it because it was cheap, intending to replace it when I could afford better. It's so nice, I changed my plans. It's a keeper. The bare frame is $143, I also bought the $121 Deda Black Rain carbon fork with fender eyelets. Plan on $80 for trans-Atlantic air freight.

It requires 57mm "long-reach" brake calipers, like Shimano BR-651. It fits 25mm Conti 4-Seasons under SKS P-35 fenders right out of the box. When I went up to 28mm 4-Seasons, I needed Reacharound Fender Brackets for the back.

Ribble also has a very similar frame in Reynolds 525 for $242.