I don't have a cyclocross bike yet - and I bet it would be the perfect winter ride. It could handle the studded snow tires, and is close enough to a road bike that my aversion to hybrid/MTB commuting on pavement would be avoided.

Peformance has a 3.3 lb aluminum frame with CF fork and integrated headset for $229. With 10% off, 20% double coupon weekend & free to store shipping....

I've got a 7speed cassette 700c rear wheel, a spare 700c front wheel, seatpost, chain, saddle, braze-on 600 FD, handlebar, brake levers, stem, and suprlus Ultegra crankset/BB, and new eggbeater pedals.

I only need a Deore RD, FD braze-on adaptor, Jagwire cables, and a set of tektra mini-V brake levers.

As a bonus, the 135mm rear would accept a Bionx electric kit should I ever save the $$. That would put a 25 commute within acceptable distance/commute time.

Sounds good except I think I would go for a steel frame for the better ride. I have an old steel Specialized Sirrus road bike that I just put some Kenda 30 cyclocross tires on and I love the way it rides. It is also a 7 speed which is fine, but when I ride it on some sandy trails the 105 52/42 front double is way to high.

This is a crime of opportunity - 10 % off, 20% kickback, free shipping, and kick-***** deal. The Ultegra is 52/39 and I believe the cassette is 13-28 or 13 - 30. If I sell Blue Goose I can re-purpose the bar end shifter adapters I bought for her. I like each bike to be different in one or two areas and already have one 80's vintage bike of equal/better quality. The Campy bits should keep the price high.

A cyclocross bike will cover the aluminum frame, cross, studded tire compatible, and possibly electric assist slots. BTW - the Raleigh is 531, Paramount Columbus SL, Blue Goose Columbus SLX, Fuji World 853 - so I do enjoy steel

I wouldn't overstate the ride quality difference. While I ride steel framed bikes most of the time, my go-fast bike is a Klein aluminum with a carbon fork. I don't notice a ride quality difference from my Bridgestone based "retro grouch" bike even though the klein has skinnier, harder tires.

On my aluminum mountain bike I don't notice a rough ride on the fat tires and when I switched to the 30's on the specialized it made a really big difference on rough roads. I think I would go up to a set of 25's on my Litespeed but they won't fit. I have arthritis in my lower back so I am probably more sensitive to the ride than a lot of people. And no, I am not going to go to a bent, before anybody suggests it.