I've got new project fever. Looking to replace my Surly Cross Check with something more "sporty" but retaining some features. This is what I want:

56-57 seat tube
56-57 top tube
Lugged
Quality/butted steel
2 water bottle mounts
Fender eyelets
Rack mounts
Clearance for 32's (no fenders).
Can't be blasphemous to put modern components on it.
Somewhat easy to find.
Under $300 for the frame set.

This will be my century/CC touring/quick riding bike. Before I settle on a new Soma Stanyan, I figured I'd check vintage first. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Sounds like a trek 400

If you can get a new Soma Stanyan frame for $300 or less, don't waste time, jump on that deal immediately.

Oh yes, +1 to this.

And tell me where you can get that deal.

The budget is higher than $300, but at $475 shipped (eBay) I can get the Stanyan. It meets all of my qualifications. Was hoping to save a little by going used/vintage.

Other than the rack mounts, it seems like any number of options would work. From my limited experience, this one comes to mind.

There was an Ironman centurion Miami Vice in the classifieds that would have been perfect for you. I think it's gone now. Take a look there for what's available.

The big downside to the Stanyan is the short headtube. I'd prefer the bars and saddle to be level, and that's hard to do on a threadless setup without looking silly. I think for the "classiness" I'm looking for, a quill stem is in order. That way I can raise it up when my back gets tired or lower it down when I wanna go fast.

Do Ironmans have that kind of clearance? Curious because I didn't think they did.

I don't think the ironman frames have the clearance, nor the rack mounts.

You should really consider the Treks. Fits the bill for everything you listed and uses 531 tubing. Relatively easy to find and usually for a good price.

If you look at the old catalogs, they list the sizing. I only checked one year, but sizing shows TT = ST.

Raleigh International?

I imagine a number of japanese sport/tour bikes made in the 80s would fit that bill.

Theres an 85 trek 520 frame set on eBay that looks tempting. I like the idea of getting a older Trek, probably the cheapest way to get a quality American made frame.

Possible if not a hair tall, not sure about tire clearances:
Motobecane Grand Jubile $250
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...738318208.html

A late 80's Schwinn LeTour won't take the 32's, at least not mine, otherwise it'd be close.

This Univega might work with a bar/stem swap, for $60 might be worth a shot:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ws...753787376.html

A too small Frenchie:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...753542564.html

Surly Crosscheck frame would work well:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...753139428.html
Wait, you have/had one of these, nevermind

Is American made a criteria?

No, not at all, but it would be kinda cool. Would like to avoid anything with odd/hard to find parts.

Find a deal on a complete bike instead. The list of potential brands and models is huge. Even if you have your desired parts in hand, a complete bike as a minimum gives you parts you can resell to offset the cost of the project, and any oddball hardware you will have in hand, rather than needing to search for some obscure clamp or hanger. I've had bikes that I planned to rebuild, and ended up reusing the brake calipers (the ones I had in hand were the wrong reach), headset (for stack height) and so on. Depending on what you buy, the price of a frameset can approach the price of a complete bike.

Now if you find a sweet frameset for sale locally, jump on it. At least around here, framesets sell cheap locally (vs fleecebay). Local buyers want complete bikes, so framesets get ignored.

I am partial to Japanese bikes from the 198os. Lots of good ones, common part sizing, high quality at a reasonable price Several sport touring models come to mind.

I just finished a Bianchi Axis (may be made in Taiwan vs Japan) that meets a lot of your criteria. I just put 700x35 Panaracers on it. That would be the max on this frame. There are many others out there.

Not gonna happen. A bud just got one locally via a dealer for $480 shipped. Great frame, though.

For your budget, try a Centurion Lemans or Lemans RS, $100-$200 complete bike, sell off the parts.

Has all the items you need, but just one set of eyelets front and rear. Use the $200 you save on equipment / components.

If a bike without rack mounts is a non-starter, that's very limiting. You can always get some SS p-clamps and put a rack on most anything. Or find a good but cosmetically challenged frame and add the mounts, then powdercoat.

I'm no expert on touring frames (which generally will have the mounts), but I'm told that many of them ride best when they're loaded. It doesn't sound like that's what you have in mind for the bike, so I'd be a bit cautious with full-blown tourers.

Collect a list from suggestions here. Watch for any of them to come up. When you see a bike that might be a candidate, look at it and decide. You'll learn about more models that way.

And listen to what wrk101 says. If you find yourself not following his advice, it might be because you're emotionally driven. His approaches are always rational.

Possibly a used Bob Jackson of the rando persuasion. You might be looking for a while, but... Raleighs, Miyatas, Centurions, Treks, Fujis, etc from the 80's would certainly be possibilities as well.

The Trek 710 I have would fit the bill for you nicely (if it was 4 cm larger). I was hoping it was my dream commuter but I'm not loving it...

Not in any rush because the bike won't see the road until April probably when the snow melts. I would prefer a complete so I could sell/donate the parts to offset the cost. Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I'll sell off the Cross Check and some other parts and get serious about picking up a new project. If you come across something I might be interested in, feel free to PM me

I understand the desire for braze-ons, but insisting on them can be limiting. Food for thought...