Help find my next commuter

[cromo900]

I've been riding a Salsa Vaya, but am looking for something a little more… well, I’m conflicted. Sometimes I ride my road bike (Damocles) or SSCX (San Jose) or even the cargo bike (Bullitt) and realize I have a lot more fun than on the Vaya.

But I’m all over the map on what I’m looking for. Some days I wish it snowed a ton in Seattle, I’d get a Salsa Beargrease and ride that. Sometimes I wish it never rained, I’d get a Caad10 and ride that.

I’m 6’6” so it must have at least a 60cm TT (longer if flat-bar / mt bike). I want disc brakes, mounting points for fenders and I’m leaning toward single speed for the simplicity, but other than that I am open to all suggestions up to $2k.

As an example of the range that I’ve looked at (at least on the internet):

Civilian Ramble (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=10919) Like the price, the front rack and the simplicity. Don’t like that it’s probably a boat anchor and doesn’t have real bosses for fenders.

Specialized Carve SS-29 (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/carve/carve) Comes in a mega-huge-size and looks like it would be super fun, but no fender mounts.

Focus Urban 8 (http://www.focus-bikes.com/us/en_us/bikes/365/category/urban-8/model/planet-tr-20-6.html) IGH, belt drive, fender mounts – this might be the one, but I wish it came as a single speed.

I think my requirements are that the bike “feels” fast for the category it’s in and actually gives you the benefits of said category. The Vaya is not fast and isn’t even particularly comfortable, even with 35c tires.

What am I missing?

[scrubadub]

Do you carry anything with you?

I've been looking at the Rawland Stag or Black Mountain Cycles road frame for a nice lively commuter. Can't really justify it since my commute is so short, but both seem like they might match your needs.

[jr59]

I got this one, that will fit your budget.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=103338

Contact me tru PM if you think it will work.

[AgilisMerlin]

http://spotbrand.com/bikes/

[stayposi]

The Soma double cross has disc mounts on it this year. Also, the Surly disc trucker would he a good a good start. I was commuthing on my old karate monkey for years andLoved it. Flat bar mtn bike with 28c gatorskins, running disc brakes rack mounts and ss compatibility I've still got it and its a 21". Let me know if your interested. .

[cromo900]

That Co-motion... where's the drool smilie? But unfortunately, 60cm is a lower limit on the TT and I'd prefer 60.5-61. But what I wouldn't do for a garage full of Co-motions - a new CX-Rex, a Speedster and a Divide would just about do it.

The Spot Ajax is sweet, but is probably a little small.

Anybody think they can quantify how the ride of my current Vaya might compare to a Rawland Drakkar/dSogn or a Soma Double Cross Disc?

When I compare the ride of the Vaya to my San Jose I can't help but think the straight blade fork on the Vaya is a big contributer to the harsh ride. Am I imagining that?

[4Rings6Stars]

That Co-motion... where's the drool smilie? But unfortunately, 60cm is a lower limit on the TT and I'd prefer 60.5-61. But what I wouldn't do for a garage full of Co-motions - a new CX-Rex, a Speedster and a Divide would just about do it.

The Spot Ajax is sweet, but is probably a little small.

Anybody think they can quantify how the ride of my current Vaya might compare to a Rawland Drakkar/dSogn or a Soma Double Cross Disc?

When I compare the ride of the Vaya to my San Jose I can't help but think the straight blade fork on the Vaya is a big contributer to the harsh ride. Am I imagining that?

Maybe change the wheels or tires or something on the Salsa before giving it up.

I have a Soma Double Cross Disc that I use for commuting/hauling and medium touring. I love it, but wouldn't want to use it for fast group rides or anything like that. Most of that is due to how I have it built, I suspect. Fenders, racks, 35mm tires, triple chainring, brooks saddle...etc. 25ish lbs of fun!

[4Rings6Stars]

The Soma double cross has disc mounts on it this year. Also, the Surly disc trucker would he a good a good start. I was commuthing on my old karate monkey for years andLoved it. Flat bar mtn bike with 28c gatorskins, running disc brakes rack mounts and ss compatibility I've still got it and its a 21". Let me know if your interested. .

The double cross has been available with discs for years. Mine is a 2009 I believe... not sure if they existed earlier than that.