you can get a steelhead for like $140 onj pricepoint. But, if the OP thinks that the 19" specialized is small for him, then the steelhead is the wrong size. It'd also be the wrong type of frame, really, for XC and touring.

I don't own an inbred, but i was looking at them. the one you're talking about, with the vertical dropouts, makes a lot of sense if you intend to use all/most of the componenets from your existing bike. No weird dropouts, suspension for short travel or rigid fork, and clearance for everything. I don't recall if these have v-brake bosses or not, but i think they do take either rim or disc brakes. If your specialized is a disc model, then no worries anyway.

I don't see why that frame wouldn't suit your needs. Go to the "other" site (eMTpy-Bee-aRe) and see what others think...

-rob