idle_american

I like to run 28's with a rear rack and trunk bag to carry my lunch/clothes. I use a clip-on front fender in the winter. It's 24 miles round-trip in sunny San Diego with some coastal hills. I like to go fast and want to go faster. I'm currently riding a Masi CX with 105 drive train.
Suggestions?

vatdim

I like your Masi, it's a pretty much perfect bike for commuting. Might I ask, what is it that you lack in it?

HardyWeinberg

The Soma ES and Surly Pacer can definitely run 28s with fenders. Soma Smoothie might run 28s. Colossi makes a bunch that could work, can't speak to their quality though. I have a Traitor Exile that I love (also running 28s with fenders); Traitor stopped making those (or rather stopped contracting for them to be made), but Colossi appears to have a 100% identical version in their lineup, down to the oddball 1" steerer. A local framebuilder told me the Traitor is made w/ a standard set of lugs that Colossi seems to also be tapped into.

For any of these you might need a rack that connects to the brake bridge rather than to eyelets on the seatstays.

Giant Doofus

I'm on a Bianchi Volpe that runs 28s and could go wider. It it steel, has a Tiagra triple, and will take racks and fenders. It was $1300. You can get the disc brake version for $1600. I've also looked at the Soma Double Cross (or DC disc), which is similar to the Bianchi. I think built up it costs around $1800.

HardyWeinberg

You can also look for built-up 2nd-hand Gunnars.

NormanF

The Fairdale Weekender Drop equipped with disc brakes at $1249.99 comes with Continental 37 c tires, and front and rear rack and fender mounts. Its made of double-butted cromoly steel:



Another view:



You're getting a lot of value in a steel bike priced under $1300 that's pretty much a do-anything bike.

spare_wheel

light and aggressive steel bikes are very expensive. if you can keep the masi you may want to consider a fair weather bike like a caad 10, domane, or roubaix.

dynaryder

I've built a couple Bianchi Vigorelli's and they're pretty sweet. My friend has an older model that he loves. I've also built a couple All City Mr Pinks. They're all steel,and will take 32's if you don't run fenders. Both are around $1.5k. The Bianchi has a Shimano drivetrain and the All City is SRAM,if that makes any difference to you. The All City also has full ED coating for the frameset,so you don't have to worry about having to apply Framesaver or linseed oil.

BobbyG

Charge Bikes' Plug Range available at Performance Bicycle.

fietsbob

Narrow it down to what brands you can test ride at your favorite local bike shoppe ?

bmthom.gis

Raleigh has some steel bikes in their heritage line. The Clubman Disc looks quite awesome to me
Raleigh Bicycles - Clubman Disc

The Record Ace is also quite nice and under 2k (and made with Reynolds
Raleigh Bicycles - Record Ace

Pretty sure Bianchi also makes some steel bikes.

tjspiel

Nice looking bike. Is it just me or does it seem to be geared really low?

DiabloScott

I think I'd rather have rim brakes for sunny San Diego, but this is pretty cool.

ThermionicScott 

+1. If you want a fair-weather go-fast bike, I can't think of many reasons not to go carbon at this point in time.

@idle_american, what exactly isn't the Masi doing for you?

GovernorSilver

I'm also curious as to what is "wrong" with the Masi - what with the 105 and all.

DiabloScott

42t single crank (with chain keeper) and 11-36 10v cassette - seems like a nice selection.

Wilfred Laurier

I am fond of the Jamis road-sport bikes - their steel models are the 'Quest' line.

I am with those posters above, however, that are skeptical that you will realize much benefit from the change.

kflagg 

You could buy my Casseroll

phughes

The front is a 42 and the largest on the rear is 36, low, but for my needs I like even lower. I have lots of big hills and carry weight. I'd rather spin. Still, I am salivating over the Weekender Drop, beautiful bike.

CliffordK

I think the Fairdale Weekender Drop is equipped with a 1x drivetrain. So, a large cassette to compensate would not be unexpected The disc is also visible in some photos, making the cassette look larger.

Small chainring though.

Ahh, here it is:
2015 Weekender Drop | Fairdale Bikes

Chainring: 42T
Cassette: 11-36, 10S

I think I would choose a higher top end. However, a lot of people like close to 1:1 gearing for hills, so one may be forced to add the 42Tx36T config.

InTheRain

Volagi makes some bikes that will meet your criteria:

Viaje XL | Volagi Cycles

NormanF

It has a 42 T chainring paired with an 11-36 cassette. That's adequate gearing for all but the steepest hills. Then you might want to move up to a double chainring.

NormanF

The Jamis Bosanova seems to be the ideal commuter bike.Just right. Their sort of "Goldilocks" bike.

plumberroy

That is sharp I like the looks of plated bikes might have to put different bars on it though as I prefer upright or flat handle bars

NormanF

You can go double chainring. Or swap the chainring out to go even lower. I've acquired the Fairdale Weekender Archer, same bike with upswept bars, has an 11-34 cassette.