If I had to do it all over again I would buy the bike I've got. It is assembled by Urbane Cyclist in Toronto and it is their touring bike.

Urbane is a worker owned co-operative so they also fit my politics and lifestyle. Employees really listen to your needs and they stand behind their products.

Not everyone can build up a custom bike from scratch. I have neither the skills nor the time so for just a little more I got to allow someone who really knows what they are doing to do everything from measure me for a frame to assemble a bike with my choice of brakes, gearing, racks et al.