Hi everyone.... I have been going back and forth and back and forth and ... well, you get the picture... about a commuter/touring bike. So, brief run down on my thought process. I was going to get a surly cross check - good bike, reasonable price and I wouldn't worry about leaving it parked outside. Then, I thought, well, if I tour, I will spend a lot of time on my bike, so maybe I should save up and spring for a custom bike. I live in a University town, and bike thefts are pretty bad this year, and I really think I would lose my mind leaving it parked outside. Then, I though, okay, I'll look at the Surly and the Bianchi Volpe. I rode the Volpe frame this weekend (on the Castro Valley), and loved it! But the 2009 is going to be pretty pricey... I could do it, but do I love the bike that much? Then today on Craig's list, a Kona Jake came up in my size. I briefly looked at the comments on the Jake, and it seems to be a reasonably decent bike. I figure I can wear out the Shimano components and then put Campy on it like I prefer. Any thoughts? Opinions? Is the Kona comparable to the Volpe? Would you save up and get a custom bike that a) fits perfectly, b) has the components you want, but c) is so expensive you are afraid to park it? Thanks!