I just traded my $400 Kona Dew (aluminum cyclocross geometry frame with flat bars) for a $900 Surly Cross Check (steel cyclocross with drop bars).

It was WAAAAAY beyond what I would normally even consider, but I just got a new job for a huge wage increase, and I fell in love with the Surly. Can't argue with bike love, eh?

Cyclocross geometry really seems to suit my bod and my riding style. (my other bike is a Waterford X-12 cyclocross) I'm very impressed with the quality of the Surly. But I was also impressed with the Kona Dew. I much prefer the feel of steel, and the bar end shifters are lovely, etc etc, and the Surly just feels right. Though in some ways I do miss the flat bars and the convenience of having all the controls right in one spot. (but if I really need to it's easy enough to switch bars with the bar-end shifters and such of the Surly) My hands and neck prefer drop bars over all.

If you have the chance to try either the $400 Kona Dew or the $900 Surly Cross Check, I highly recommend both. The price difference is pretty large, but I felt just fine on both of them. If I hadn't fallen madly in love with the Surly, I'd still be joyfully riding the Kona.