Does this bike exist and would I want it?

[Triskeliongirl]

I think what you are describing is a cyclocross bike. I once rode with BeeLady from TE who has a bianchi volpe which is a steel cyclcross bike, and she is very happy with it. But, why do you want flat bars? My old terry classic had flat bars, and I had to convert them to drops, because I didn't have enough hand positions and would get wrist pain. If I were you I would looke at the Volpe.

[mimitabby]

I was going to suggest the Volpe too. IF you have $1200 you will have plenty to add stuff onto it too, like the handlebars you want, etc.

[smilingcat]

Aero bars. They are only good for time trials, full out racing. Its not all that easy to steer, the body position is not the most comfortable and definitly not made for sprint. If you look at the sprinters position when they are on all out sprint, their hands are almost always on the bottom part of the drop handle and pulling really hard on the handle bar. You can't do that on a aero bar.

I would have an aero bar on Quintan Roo Caliente or Lucero (or litespeed Saber)with cow horns but then the bike would strictly be for TT. Just my dream bike #2.

Aero bars may look spiffy but I wouldn't recommend it.

just my 2cents
Shawn

[susan.wells]

Another vote for the Volpe. My husband has this bike and I would certainly call it a "jack of all trades" vehicle. That being said... I have a Jamis Coda Comp in my stable. It was the first "serious" bike I purchased and I wanted the flat handlebar. However, 4 years later, the flat handlebar is a minus instead of a plus. So I am in the process of addressing this. My first attempt is a trekking handlebar. I've switched it out but haven't had the opportunity to ride her yet. Otherwise, I will be putting drop handlebars on her and getting new shifters. Good luck with your search!

Susan

[SalsaMTB]

Definitely stick with the cross bikes. The flat bar road bikes you mentioned may not have enough clearance to put a knobby tire on so you won't be able to ride off road at all with them.

Have you thought about the Surly bikes? The Cross Check is a nice steel frame for not much money. It's also available as a complete bike. You may want to look into building it up though to get it exactly as you want. It also has bosses on the rear triangle to mount a rack (not sure if that's important to you).

ETA: This link has a huge list with links off basically all the cross frames out there. Some of them have pricing, but some are listed for Frame only while others are for complete bike. Thought you might be interested:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=258177

[Kalidurga]

I read through this pretty quickly, so this may have already been mentioned.

Cyclocross bikes are more than just modified road bikes. This is one of the articles I read last year when I was thinking of buying a 'cross: The Case for 'Cross. Wikipedia's entry for Cyclo-cross bicycles also gives a great description.

I didn't buy my 'cross bike with the intention to race. Like you, I wanted the fun of mulitple options from one bike and the beauty of a 'cross bike is definitely in the options. Salsa's suggestion of beginning with the frame is a good one. And for a bar, you might consider something I've seen on a lot of messenger bikes lately: an over-sized TT bar. The ends of the bar face forward instead of back and down, so you've got the option of riding on the flats, or stretching forward with a wider arm position than you'd have with a typical TT bar. I'm seriously thinking of trying a pair of these on my bike.

[SouthernBelle]

Mustache bar??

[Blueberry]

Have you thought about the Surly bikes? The Cross Check is a nice steel frame for not much money. It's also available as a complete bike. You may want to look into building it up though to get it exactly as you want. It also has bosses on the rear triangle to mount a rack (not sure if that's important to you).

I just bought a cross check a couple of weeks ago off ebay (photos will be forthcoming) and I LOVE it. Didn't need another bike, but this one came equipped exactly as I wanted it (would have cost me a lot more to build up). It even has pink wheels

[7rider]

I've been eyeing a Lemond Poprad and a Redline, which look pretty cool. I think from what you are looking for, a cross bike is a good way to go.

I have a flatbar road bike for commuting, as I wanted it for low-speed control in a city. Bar-ends were the first accessory I put on it, however, so I could have a variety of hand positions, since, yeah...a flat bar can be hard on longer rides. With the bar ends, I routinely do 40-50 miles rides without a problem. A friend of mind did a century (100 miles) on a flat bar road bike with bar ends and she had no hand problems, either. So....if you don't find a 'cross bike you like, and opt for a flatbar bike - I think bar ends are a definite "gotta have".