I'm not too worried about front racks, and I'd like to avoid using a dual-pivot. Right now I'm leaning towards the close-out 'cross fork. New brakes, headset, find a used stem, and I already have a wheel. Thanks for your help, BostonFixed. Monterey is about 45 miles on the highway, and more on back streets. I could gear way down (I run a 2.9 ratio at the moment) and throw on some panniers, but I'd really rather do the one with my parents on gears.