Just the Frame or the Whole Shebang?

[KnottedYet]

Ah, so it's the weight of the Surly that's causing you trouble.

I'm no help on the weight info. All three of my bikes each weigh at least 20 lbs. (Surly CC, Waterford X-12, Kona Smoke) There are plenty of folks on here who can point you toward some lighter bikes. Some of those carbon bikes are sleek and gorgeous!

Edit: How do you like the geometry? Does it feel lively and responsive to you? Do you feel like you could ride it for hours if it only weighed less? If you like cyclocross geometry that's another piece of info. If the CC feels squirrelly sometimes, and like you have to work hard to keep it on track, you might prefer to test ride some bikes with touring geometry. If it feels too stable, and sludgy, and slow to respond, you might be happier trying some bikes with more racing geometry.

On the expense front: at one point I wanted to buy a frame and build up a bike, but the expense was too much. One wrench told me I'd be better off buying the frame I wanted AND buying an entire bike with the components I liked, then switching them over. He said that was the only way to be cost effective with components. bummer.