Originally Posted by Peterpan1

If you are looking to go anywhere soon, you may need to look at other bikes, or not. I was trying to get one at exactly this time in '05, and I had to settle for my second choice, and urbanite made in Toronto, which has worked out very well. In Saskatoon, Spicer would send you a Surly for under 500 with shipping for the frame and fork. You can be up and running for fairly small bucks, with a donor bike. Or part it up in a number of ways.

RM make really good bikes though, and I would consider the RM. My wife bought one of their mountain bike because of the ride quality.

I have owned Canondale MTBs and their touring bike would ben an easy choice for me.