Originally Posted by CK61

After coming to the realization that my current roadie is WAY too big for me, I'm in the the market for a new frameset. My budget is around $500 for the frame and fork, but would be FINE with paying $400. Right now I've thrown my road wheelset on my Cross-Check and have been using that. I'm slightly inclined to just forgo the new frame and keep doing what I'm doing, but the full 105 group I took off my old roadie is burning a hole in my parts bin. So, what do you guys recommend at that price point? I like steel, and I like Surly, so the Pacer is the obvious option. Also there is the Soma Smoothie that would just come in under my budget. But, am I going to notice a huge difference in these and the CC (brakes aside)? I figure they're both still a bit heavy, and would only come in at most a pound lighter than the CC. At the end of the day I don't want to feel like I have two bikes that can do essentially the same thing.

I'm not opposed to aluminum, but carbon and ti are clearly beyond my budget.

Thanks in advance.