after commuting on four different bikes in the past year (road/folder/IGH+belt/hybrid), I'm thinking I would like to build my own commuter bike. Here's my plan and some questions:

* cross frame - don't really care about material that much except not all aluminum (like my IGH+belt, which is a boneshaker)

* disc brakes - nonnegotiable. the V-brakes on my folder are decent in the wet, but I want even better performance with all my poundage heading downhill

* derailleur drivetrain (I have a Tiagra/105 9-speed I can re-use). too many IGH headaches!

my plan was to pick up a Surly Cross Check frame, transplant my drop bars, brifters, rear derailleur, and chain, and then have a wheelset built with disc brakes. B17 saddle to top it off.

but then I realized the CC doesn't have disc tabs, and I don't know whether I can have the Tiagra brifters control disc brakes. someone suggested having someone weld disc tabs onto the CC frame, which sounds scary/ugly. are there disc-ready cross frames for sale? someone said the Salsa La Cruz would be one, but their site has it only in Ti ($$$ I'm sure)

I guess I could go to BD and get a Fantom Cross Outlaw for $900, but I'm a fattie who needs a custom rear wheel anyway...and I've got the other components, plus I would enjoy the project.

I'm sure there's other stuff I'm forgetting as well...thanks for any and all tips!

The Soma Double Cross is similar in style to the Cross Check, and it has disc tabs.

But if you can rig that cassette onto a 5 speed IGH and put a triple crankset on it you can have 135 speeds!

Gunnar fastlane has well placed disc mounts.
What exactly were your IGH headaches. I've been running Alfine daily for almost 4 years without any issues. Ive given it one oil dip which took about 30mins (including figuring out how to do it).

Perfect, thank you!

Igh, how do I loathe thee...let me count the ways...limited range without spending incredible $$ for a rohloff or alfine 11...less efficient...hard to remove rear wheel (esp with belt drive)...have had the lbs do 2-3 oil baths to correct noises...those are the main things. It's great in theory, but in practice I hated it. once I learned how to adjust a derailleur I never looked back

I like derailleurs. I understand the concept of how they work. With friction shifting, it is pretty much set it and forget it.
I wish that Grunge Guards were still being made and readily available. With them you don't get crud in your derailluers.

If you can find a steel Salsa La Cruz, that would suit the bill. They have quit making the steel version, replacing it with a ti frame, but there are still some steel ones around or you might find a used one. Sweet looking frame in metallic orange and very similar to the Salsa Casseroll, except the La Cruz is rigged for disc brakes and is spaced for 35 mm rear hub.

Two frames you might look at are the Surly Troll (not a cross frame but I think it would suit your needs and you can run 700c wheels) and the Salsa Vaya.

As for wheels, I'd get some flavor of disk compatible hub laced to a Mavic A719 rim. You could probably get away with 32H front and 36H rear. I'd go 3 cross front and since you're using disk hubs which should have a higher flange than non disk hubs...4 cross lacing on the rear theoretically will give you a stronger wheel. There are arguments for/against it, but a 36H rear with 12-14G spokes should give you a super strong wheel.

I currently commute on a road bike. I tried a recumbent one day and I am convinced that is superior bicycle by far. It is comfortable and faster than my road bike. Best of all, no more pain in the rear.

I plan to build my own recumbent this Summer.

faster, even up hills? I would worry about visibility to cars, which already seem to have lots of trouble seeing me.

Recumbents are not faster up hill but they are not noticeably slower either. The difference in weight is usually less than 5 pounds between a recumbent and a comparably equipped diamond frame bike. Other than the extra weight, they are just as fast up hills. They are faster in the flats, downhill and in the wind because they have 1/3 less cross sectional area.

As far as visibility, they come in all sorts of flavors. People who ride the low ones usually just put a flag on them to help with visibility. There are high recumbents with great visibility. I am making one myself. It is a "High Roller" recumbent on 700c wheels that will look like this:

this might work for you:
https://www.amazon.com/Origin-CX700-C...8885007&sr=1-1
also available in different sizes.