And fork is also 100% 4130

"Fork 4130 CroMoly, lugged and brazed."

Long Haul Trucker | Bikes | Surly Bikes

I can say I love both bikes. The DT got me into touring and the Co-Motion got my bug up for building bikes from the ground up and picking components and really going all out.

The great thing about the DT is it is reasonably priced and decently spec'd. It is not a light bike and it isn't really customizable frame wise but for what you pay it is solid. Surly knows touring well and for someone just getting into the game they are a great way to go. I do think they overbuild things and that causes weight issues that aren't necessary for steel bikes and accessories but it lends it self well for touring and not worrying

Co-Motion is a lighter bike well at least mine is. The paint is nicer and certainly you have more options than whatever color Surly is using that year. Some of the component choices I made were a touch lighter then from the DT and some were a little heavier but all in all it did come out lighter. I do feel more comfortable on the Co-Motion but the larger wheel size does lead to some minor toe overlap on my fender at low speeds which can be annoying but not a deal breaker.

If I had to do things over again I would certainly go for a Co-Motion over Surly pretty much any day of the week however my Surly taught me what I liked, didn't like and need to improve on.

Probably not the best comparison but I am awful tired (and have been for quite sometime, work is running me ragged) and that is about all I can muster.

Yeah you don't really hear anyone unsatisfied. When I first got mine I was so over joyed I couldn't contain myself and everytime I get on I am happy.

I am excited for the Pinion frames so I can build my 540 gear monstrosity (or more if I can work a double or triple chainring at the front) but I also really like they aren't afraid of crazy internal gearing.

Thanks for that. :)

No prob, Bob!

This is interesting, as it seems the 100 series is only used on the couple of least expensive road bikes. Anything $1000 and up (including Sora bikes) uses the 200 series or better. Their least expensive cross bike uses 200 series. If anyone is subject to obsessing about aluminum tubing, this could be a real worry!

No, even lower than that, Trek uses Alpha Aluminum on their entry level, sub $400 bikes with high-tensile steel forks:

FX | Trek Bikes

$1,600 will fetch a custom-made Habanero Ti frame that's ~1/2 kg lighter than most steel tourers. For $2,500+ bike I'd like to see some significant weight or tech advantage.

Speaking of the divide, I ran a 2.1 in the back and 2.3 in the front, both knobbies, w/o fenders this summer. The only "problem" I had was the three times I started having mysterious rhythmic knocking noises. The first two times eventually stopped; the third time I finally found a big piece of gravel stock in the front wheel.