Steel commuter/ light touring bikes: How to choose?

[buddha_bellies]

I have a 44cm Specialized Ruby and I like the fit. I also have a 42cm Surly Pacer and a 42cm Surly LHT. So I feel that the fit is similar on these bikes (depending on components).

I have my Pacer set up as a sport-tourer with a light pannier rack and sometimes use it for commuting. It's a sturdy, inexpensive, easily replaceable frame that I don't worry too much about. My LHT is a pretty bombproof little bike. I've done two week+ tours with it in southwest Colorado.

I looked into a Crosscheck, but the standover of the 42cm model is 2cm taller than the 42cm Pacer and 42cm LHT. This is probably due to the increased tire clearance of the frame.

I looked into Somas, but the smallest ones are still too big for me.

Gunnars are nice, my bf has two Gunnar road bikes and a Rockhound mtn bike. But the smaller frame sizes have 650c wheels.

Wow! That's awesome! I have a 44cm ruby also. It's good to know that Surly is less then a Marinoni and is bombproof. What color is your LHT? I just wish their finishing is a bit cleaner. The one I saw the welding wasn't very clean. I don't know if that was a defect or what but I was kinda disappointed. It's really affordable and I guess I can always get it custom color at a body shop, since I would buy the frame and build it with different components.

[eofelis]

Wow! That's awesome! I have a 44cm ruby also. It's good to know that Surly is less then a Marinoni and is bombproof. What color is your LHT? I just wish their finishing is a bit cleaner. The one I saw the welding wasn't very clean. I don't know if that was a defect or what but I was kinda disappointed. It's really affordable and I guess I can always get it custom color at a body shop, since I would buy the frame and build it with different components.

My LHT is the original Sage Green color. The welds on the 3 Surly bikes that we have in the house are all quite nice. The powdercoating they put on them is quite durable also. I think they are a great deal on a frame.

[buddha_bellies]

Finally! I've settle on a bike! It's neither any one of the ones I had mentioned before because it's brand new for 2010.

I ended up getting a Brodie Drifter demo from my LBS. It's a lot cheaper then any of the other bikes I've mentioned! Woohoo! My LBS had a look at all the bikes I had mentioned. Other then the Marinoni, which is custom, none of the ones would've fit me because my inseam is so short.

Anyway, here's my new baby. I had the handlebar changed to a trekking one so it should do me well on any credit touring

[eofelis]

Kewl!!
That bike looks like it can take you anywhere!