Thanks for the replies. The computers at work weren't working well last night so I couldn't reply sooner.

This is what is so fun about this forum. I got ideas that may not have occurred to me otherwise. Going along with the Troll trend (because I love Scandinavia and Norway is on my list for next year), I also looked at Soma's website and found the B-Side: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/b-side The LBS nearby that wants to build a bike for me sells both Surly and Soma, so I think I can get an honest opinion from him. I'll pay him a visit later this morning.