Okay, I've looked through the forums and googled for hours. But I'm not finding the new commuter bike I'm looking for. Perhaps someone can help.

I've got a new job with reasonable flexible hours that I'd like to try commuting to, probably two or three days a week, 13 miles each way, in hilly Seattle terrain with a mix of dedicated bike paths and urban streets with heavy traffic. The weather will sometimes be inclement and windy and I may be riding occasionally in the dark. I need to carry some gear, but not a ton. I want something low-maintenance and rugged, but not too clunky - 26 miles is a fair amount, I'm not in great shape, and I hate going super slow. Cost is not a huge factor and the bike will be inside my office while at work.

I like the ride of steel and Ti. I like disc brakes. I don't like to do maintenance so an internal hub gearing sounds cool, but I've got to have something with low-enough gears to tackle a couple big hills each way.

My initial thoughts are for a steel-frame cross bike with disc brakes, flat bars, SRAM or Nexus shifting, 32c tires, with fenders and a rack. Anybody make such an animal? That doesn't weigh 35 lbs?

- Mark