I would also think a new disc mount fork could be installed on a vintage frame or mounts added by a competent frame builder, as the front is where the majority of your stopping power is anyway.

Well, if your bike budget is big enough for a Rohloff-equipped, custom-framed, drop bar commuter/touring setup, then you'd be hard pressed to find a better build than this (click on the picture for the link):

http://www.co-motion.com/images/sing...rRohloff10.jpg

Motobecane Ti cyclocross:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cross_ti_x.htm

Again, no discs. Funny how people don't read the OP's specs and just shill their personal choice.

What about this http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/fargo_complete/ if only my wife would get a better job:D

Although the Fargo looks good the Raleigh Sojourn fits the bill. Do what you want. I would have bought the Sojourn for myself but they don't make my size frame. That Rohloff Americano looks good if you have the cash. I just would haev needed to save for another year and a half. Get the sojourn and ride, ride, ride. Blues Frog

Nice bike, bit more of a 29'er MTB though rather than a road machine. Think touring - but offroad.

Nice bike, but ... Americano Rohloff complete Bike $5,031 ... :twitchy:

Your requirements are an exact match for a Cotic Roadrat frame. Google it. Cotic deliver the frames all over the world. They're about £300 with a fork. You'd then build it up, or have a local mechanic do so, with your components of choice - which can work out to be a great deal with some ebay bargain hunting. You'd get discs, all the braze-ons known to man, cromo steel, the ability to run 700c or 26" wheels - even the option to revert to rim brakes with 700c. Oh - and the Rat will go single or fixed or take an Internal Gear Hub.

This is true - but why bother? Discs at the back still contribute to braking power. Converting an existing fork is risky (how many road bike forks are really up to taking disc braking power?) And this isn't a cheap solution. It makes more sense to buy a package designed for discs from the ground up.

It has disc mounts, lighten up, Francis, yer kinda biatchy tonight.....

Yeah, but no calipers and non-disc wheels, so unless he's going to drop a couple hundred more $$ it's not what he spec'ed now is it? :P

The Civia Bryant Rival

This build fits the bill almost exactly: steel frame, disc brakes, potential tourer with pretty long chainstays. To me the only downside is that it is about two hundred bucks too much.


http://civiacycles.com/bikes/bryant/bryant_rival/#build

You've actully looked at the picture now? Great! Next time, try doing BEFORE you start calling people names and questioning motives. Don't worry, I already forgave you, no need to say you're sorry :)

You want cheap, go Trek PDX http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/pdx/pdx/

It's essentially the old FX disc set up as a flat bar road bike. I have one, but about the only thing still original is the frame, I've upgraded everything else.

Buut, in the essence of keeping it real, it's aluminum and not steel.

Dude, ya need to lighten up. It just plain didn't meet his spec. And if you go look I called you no names, so no apology needed. :)

Any names you're hearing you called yourself :P

While it doesn't exactly meet all my specs, that's a smokin' deal for a Ti bike! I didn't think I could even consider that material, or carbon. Too bad they only have 52cm. It's too small. I want a larger frame.

That bike sure is nice looking! And I like their philosophy behind it. It is exactly where I'm coming from.

There are lots of great ideas on this thread! Thanks again everyone. We're still waiting to see what happens with the job.

In the meantime, I just found an old Specialized Hard Rock for $30. Nice large frame. No discs, but I'll be able to build it up into a fine commuter. Maybe I'll make the NEW bike purchase a dedicated tourer! I really like the sounds of that Rohloff hub!

If you really like Titanium and want a larger 22" frame ... check out the Fly Ti ... :thumb:
It has disk brakes and can easily be converted to Hybrid specs with the fork lockout & new tires.

Shimano XT/SLX 27 Spd Front Suspension 2010 Fantom PRO Ti $1495
3AL/2.5V Titanium frame, FSA CRANKS, Avid Disc Brakes,
Rockshox Fork +LOCKOUT, Vuelta PRO S-Lite Disc Brake Wheels

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e/fpti_09x.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...pti_3q_600.jpg

I suggest you try them. Not in a parking lot, but say on a street that goes downhill at 10% for a mile and has a stop sign on every block. I understand there is no such street in New Jersey.

It has disc mounts, they will have more in larger frame size soon, sell off the wheels, buy a nice set of disc wheels like this for $230/$270, brakes for $150 and it's still in your price range.
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1167
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1554

Another option is to build up a Vassago Fisticuff:
http://www.vassagocycles.com/fisticuff/

Another option is the Civia Bryant with the SRAM Rival build: http://civiacycles.com/bikes/bryant/bryant_rival/

It is more of a purpose-built commuter but seems to be designed to offer much of the utility and comfort of a touring bike.

If I had a budget of 2K I would build it, as others have suggested. The Cotic Roadrat frame looked like a good suggestion, and there are other reasonably priced frames out there with all the mounting points you need too. That's me though. Once you start shopping for individual stuff (wheels, crankset, etc.) for it your costs can go through the roof if you're not careful.

It has disc tabs, so for $125-$150 more he'd have discs (BB7)

you forgot ....."in the rain, with loaded panniers" ;)

I think discs are fantastic and the mechanical variants do not increase complexity at all compared to rim brakes.
As long as the wheels are properly built and the frame/fork is designed to accommodate the disc-specific loads, I feel discs are a much cleaner, better performing (particularly in inclement weather) and lower maintenance option.
Less wear on the rims, less frequent brake pad replacement..........

I've used top end rim brakes, and they do perform quite well.
I think discs are more practical and perform as well or better, and there is no contest in wet conditions. I was startled the first time I rode a disc-equipped bike in the wet. I instinctively applied more pressure (a learned trait from years of road/mtb riding with rim brakes) and damn near locked the wheels up the first time I stopped.
I've gotten accustomed to them, and they essentially offer consistent performance wet or dry.

Back to the jist of the thread, your budget opens tons of possibilities, and I'd think a build would offer you the flexibility to pick and choose what you want. You can often save money by "packaging" your build kit (Universal cycles comes to mind) or by cherry picking sales on the internet (pricepoint, bikeman, jensen, universal.......).

O.o WOW!