The order has been placed. I went with a Surly. I'll probably lose the decals, keep the headbadge. Here's the highlights...

LHT in Utility Blue
Thomson Elite stem
On One Midge Bars
105 STI levers
Deore XT hubs with Salsa Delgado rims
Ultegra Double Crankset
9 gear cluster (still figuring out the range, thinking 11-32)
Michelin Transworld City 700x32

everything else is, well, budget. I sort of spent a bit more than I originally intended, but that's pretty much par for the course, right? Has anyone used STI with the Midge bars (or WTB Mountain Drops for that matter)? I'm having second thoughts about them but figure I will wait and see how they feel.

First upgrades I'll be doing once I have the funds are fenders painted to match, Brooks saddle, Chris King headset, and upgrade derailleurs (Dura Ace 9 spd in front, XT or XTR in the rear). I'm not the only one who thinks about upgrades before the bike is built, am I?

I'll keep posting as the build progresses.

- Kyle