I just saw one of those Gran Fondos at Performance Bike. That's a good looking ride.

Sorry about your loss.

Steel is a most wonderous frame material if you can avoid moisture. They even have more technologically advanced steels now that are much lighter and stronger than the steel used back in the 50's and 60's. Titanium is also nice, but then again, so is aluminum.

Hey! It's like 140 bucks cheaper at this Performance place!

Thanks, Andy!

If you get it this weekend and join Team Performance you'll get a whole lot of store credit too.

Ti doesn't care about moisture or road salt,and is scratch-proof to boot.

You know, in the very beginning, I first thought about the Lynskey Viale. Then I went test riding CF bikes and I liked the feel. I have yet to test ride a Ti bike.

Hey! Stop trying to confuse me! It's way too easy!

I don't understand why a cross bike would be better than a touring bike for commuting. It seems to me that touring bikes can be more comfortable and will handle better on the roads.

Just like steel,only lighter,and has a duller note when you hit bumps and the cables knock against it.

Quicker handling,less weight. Had a Kona Sutra,but didn't like the handling. My cross bike was more flickable,but still stable on fast downhills.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with dynaryder's characterization of this, but to me it seems like a matter of preference. I have a touring bike and a cyclocross bike that I use for commuting. The touring bike feels different, but not necessarily worse. If I want to sprint to make a red light, the touring bike feels worse, but I've taken the view that this is a matter of the touring bike encouraging me to relax and not feel like I have to sprint to make the light. As long as I have the mindset that I want to sprint for lights and generally go fast then the cyclocross bike will seem "better" to me. If, on the other hand, I am in a frame of mind for a relaxed ride, the touring bike might seem better. Since I've recognized this I have tried to select my bike for the day based on my mood and objectives.

I would also note that the cyclocross bike feels a lot different when not loaded down with a rack and pannier. The characteristic that dynaryder described as "flickable" is significantly inhibited by a rack and pannier. A rack and trunk bag isn't bad, but with no rack and a backpack it's a lot sportier feeling. I'm not sure a touring bike has a configuration for sporty feeling.

If this bike is hauling 40 lbs, I'm not sure how "sporty" it will feel. I have a steel touring bike, it's a great commuter for hauling larger loads. When I'm hauling a large load (20+ lbs), I'm not planning on going fast or going on a club ride. In nice weather, I don't need to haul as much and I use my carbon fiber cannondale synapse with a quick release seat post saddle bag. I've done club rides with the carradice SQR on my cannondale synapse. It's fast.