so what bike would you buy? it seems like i basically want a fast touring bike. the problem is i don't see many. the trek portland would be great but the wheels are just junk and it's way over priced (for my budget and for the cruddy wheels they put on it).


any recomendations for a road type bike that will fit wider tires, is light (that counts out the surly LHT. i don't care for the hubs on the cross check and i think a stock one weighs about 25lbs.), and has rack mounts (i really want some rack mounts!) for about $850 or less? i want at least 105 level shifting and cranks and the same level of hubs. i'd rather stay away from carbon fiber. forks should be steel. frames can be aluminum or steel.

any ideas?

all the jamisis seem to have tiagra hubs no matter how good the rest of the bike is.
trek uses crud wheels on everything.

know anywhere good to get a cannondale touring 2 for about $500 off?
nevermind. it has tiagra shifters and an octalink bb. the trouing 1 would be perfect but it's twice my budget.

single speed is out due to wind