anyother bikes like the surly crosscheck?

[NbyNW]

What kind of terrain/distance are you looking at for your commute?

It might be worth your while to check out some of the folding bike threads. I'm about the same height as you and when I had a commute I was on my folder. The low stepover of the design was great not only because of my short inseam but also because I had been working through a back/hip injury that made getting on my regular bike a bit awkward.

Bonus: I could stash the bike under my desk, as my office did not provide a secure place for bicycles during the work day.

[KnottedYet]

I've never noticed my Cross Check to be heavy. It's certainly not appreciably heavier than my Waterford X-12 or my Giant RS940.

(it is quite a bit lighter than my Kona Smoke, but that's comparing apples and oranges)

My Cross Check is my commuter. My commute is 42 miles, and while I've wished for many things on that commute, a lighter bike isn't one of them!

If the Cross Check doesn't feel right, try the Soma Double Cross and the Jamis Aurora. Lots of people on here like the Aurora, and I came close to buying one myself.

[VeloVT]

Bianchi Volpe goes down to 44 cm.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/10-bicycle.../10-volpe.html

It's a steel bike, kind of a tourer (they used to market it in the CX line, but it really wasn't, and they seem to be marketing it more as a tourer/all purpose bike now). It's not especially light, but there are a few peeps on TE who have Volpes and like them.

[ridebikeme]

I am building a Soma Doublecross now, and it looks like a great bike! The welds are done very well, and you can build with it whatever budget you may have. Check on the their website and see if the specs are close to what you need, and if you should need help again, check here with your questions.

Have fun in your quest!

[Kalidurga]

I am building a Soma Doublecross now, and it looks like a great bike!

I'm gonna want to see pictures of that, please Did you get the regular frame, or the one spec'd for disc brakes? I love the color of the latter.

[ridebikeme]

The model that my supplier carries is not set up for disc brakes, although perhaps there is one out there?

The frame color is black, so again, I know there are different colors. I am building this as a touring bike, so will be adding fenders and racks from Old Man Mountain. I am building wheels for it and right now can't decide on what hubs I want to use... so that's why it isn't finished. At any rate, I will post pics once I'm finished.

[Kalidurga]

Sounds like you got their "traditional" frame. This is the other one: http://www.somafab.com/doublecrossdcpix.html

I'd be happy with either one, but that silvery plum is very cool.