i'm in seattle. if ya got some references, send me an email/private message and i'll pass your name on to a few local friends who work at/run local messenger companies. no promises...

as for gearing, i ride 48x18 but i'm 29 and have weak knees. plenty of local couriers run 46x16. just don't bother trying to run brakeless with high gearing in the rain and the hills here.

-alex