After coming to the realization that my current roadie is WAY too big for me, I'm in the the market for a new frameset. My budget is around $500 for the frame and fork, but would be FINE with paying $400. Right now I've thrown my road wheelset on my Cross-Check and have been using that. I'm slightly inclined to just forgo the new frame and keep doing what I'm doing, but the full 105 group I took off my old roadie is burning a hole in my parts bin. So, what do you guys recommend at that price point? I like steel, and I like Surly, so the Pacer is the obvious option. Also there is the Soma Smoothie that would just come in under my budget. But, am I going to notice a huge difference in these and the CC (brakes aside)? I figure they're both still a bit heavy, and would only come in at most a pound lighter than the CC. At the end of the day I don't want to feel like I have two bikes that can do essentially the same thing.

I'm not opposed to aluminum, but carbon and ti are clearly beyond my budget.

Thanks in advance.

What top tube length would you be looking for?

My crosscheck is my winter training bike. If yours works... keep it. You could also put the 105 group on it if you wanted something "nicer".

The top tube on my CC is 58cm, which seems to be perfect. (I'm short in leg, long in torso).

Actually, my CC has full ultegra on it. Thats another issue. If I buy a nice road frame I'll probably put the 105 on the CC and move the ultegra over to the new roadie. I haven't done this already because I was thinking about just buying a used Jake the Snake, or something else that would be fun to beat up, and putting the 105 on that.

Kick it old school.

If you aren't planning on taking the roadracing world by storm keep the CC. Have you thought about racing cross... Fall is arount the corner.

Just to clarify: I'm definitely NOT going to be getting rid of the CC. No way. I'm just thinking of something a little zippier for road riding. I have all the parts just sitting around, so it seems like a waste not to do it. The CC will still get all the dirt road, touring, cross racing, foul weather love that its become accustomed to.

Cannondale CAAD Frameset.

Cheap and effective.

Surf ebay. Just got a sweet frame and fork for $200 b/c it's not a brand that's sold in the US, so nobody knew enough to bid on it.