Need ideas for new bike

[shen]

I've been shopping around a little myself. I'm 5'4" (with short legs) and I want a bike for commuting, country road rides, potential light touring, and eventually maybe a cross race or two (maybe).

I need a bike that is all steel, fairly light (relatively speaking), fits larger tires and that accepts fenders and a rack. Oh, and it has to come in SMALL sizes.

So far, I've found 2. The Surly Cross Check and the Soma Double Cross. I believe that both will fit me if I stick to the smallest frame size. They both have slightly longer top tubes than my road bike, but I think I can make it work. Soma also has a road bike that might suit my purposes (except for the cross racing, I think) called the Smoothie ES. It won't take super wide tires, but I believe it'll fit up to a 32mm which would work for me.

All three of the bikes I've mentioned come in a suprisingly wide range of sizes, so I'm sure they'd have something that would work for you. I like that they are all reasonably priced, too.

I'm looking for pretty much the same bike for pretty much the same usage. I'm 5.4 and I usually ride a 49cm seat tube frame (ideally with a 51cm top tube). I really want something that doesn't have a really long top tube (that's why I was initially not interested in the cross check), everything I've found that is in my size has a 52 or longer top tube. But I'm interested to see if anyone my size has experience with the fit of any of these frames or can recommend another. Maybe I just have to use a short stem?
Thanks!

[ridebikeme]

Lots pf good suggestions here! I did think of another that hasn't been mentioned yet. As everyone knows. Redline makes some great cross bikes, and has a few choices, so check them out if you are still looking. On the touring scene, along with Trek 520, check out the KHS TR-101... it's a great bike as well. Soma also makes some nice steel frames/bikes, so another choice.Have fun looking!!

AS for steel bikes, they are definitely starting to make a comeback. Many companies are offering a mixture of frames from carbon, aluminum, to steel... it's nice to have choices. Steel rides really well and is more forgiving, will definitely give you a warning if there is a frame problem(in terms of breaking) unlike carbon. And it also offers another pricepoint, which is nice with the 15-20% increase on the '09 models.

[anakiwa]

Last week I picked up my new Gunnar Crosshairs. So far I love it! I chose the Gunnar because they offer custom geometry at a more reasonable price.

This bike is basically to replace the 1991 Trek 520 that I'd been using for dirt roads and wet weather commutes. (I don't mean to diminish the 520- it's done well by me year after year, and while it's going to be ridden less, I'm still not intending to part with it.) The difference was immediately obvious. The toptube is markedly shorter making the positioning much more comfortable (the bike seems much more petite, but fits well). The new bike climbs like a dream (the old bike had a lot of excess weight and drag- BF immediately noticed the difference with the new one and is worried that it won't be nearly as easy to stay ahead of me on the dirt now). The bike also glides over potholes, bumps, etc quite comfortably. For anyone looking for a steel cross bike (or any steel bike for that matter), I'd highly recommend Gunnar based on my initial experience.