just built up a new il pompino. it's nice. i like it. but my happiness in life does not revolve around what brand or logo is on the side of my frames. been commuting on it for a bit now, and have had a few longer gravel/dirt road stretches. far more comfy than the crosscheck frame it replaced. same parts. not really sure what the difference it. now has my rear rack and front/rear fenders on.

caveat: limited tire clearance. i've got 38mm rubber in there now, and don't think i could run anything fatter. pretty tight as it is.

another option: take whatever geared cross frame you have or may want, and use the white industries eno eccentric rear hub as the base for the rear wheel.