eldouma

I ride to work and school and I've been planning to build up a fixie from an old to me free (1999) aluminum trek roadie frame with a bunch of extra parts I've got. I'm full-on fixie stoked after riding a friend's Pista for three months. Things is, I like how steel feels, I like versatility and I'm a utalitarian kinda guy who rides in the rain, snow, mud etc, rides hard in traffic and on urban trials. I really need fenders and want to run knobby tires too. Does the Surly cross-check's burly looks, functionality and practicality kill the sleek look, sexiness and simplicity of the fixie spirit? Got a better frame choice? Have a bike that does all this?

I know everyone should ride what they like/want and not care what others think, but I'm throwing this out there for some feedback.

Thanks