Frames similar to Crosscheck?

Currently riding a CAAD8 but am getting sick of the gears always getting gummed up in our persistent bad weather (I ride on back roads which are always muddy), so I'm considering switching to something singlespeed again - used to have a Langster and loved it. However I don't really want to give up the option to run gears again if I change my mind. Really liking the look of the Crosscheck for this as it can run either, but I don't really fancy the idea of steel on a road bike. Plus I have no intentions of riding cx so it's maybe a bit over built for me. I just like the versatility it seems to offer for gearing and mudguard/tyre/wheel options! Wondering if there's anything similar out there but in a lighter aluminium construction?

Had you considered using a white industries eccentric hub on the CAAD8? I've been wondering about doing that to my road bike one day.

Something like the 2012 Salsa chilli con crosso? Nice light aluminium frame with swappable dropouts.

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/2012_chili_con_crosso

Looks pretty good! Swappable dropouts is probably the best idea. Even the 11/12 framesets are pretty expensive though and I'd rather have something specifically for roads. But saying that I'm not entirely sure on my budget, just seeing what's out there at the minute.

Almost considering just getting a SS conversion kit for my CAAD but that just seems wrong and I'm not sure that there are actually any reliable mech-style tensioners about.

If you build a wheel with a white industries enocentric hub you wouldn't need chain tensioner for fixed/ss. I'm thinking of building something similar with a CAAD7 frame.

Cotic's road rat is another option, but again, that's steel. Or just buy an On-One Pompino if you don't mind a heavier frame.

Almost considering just getting a SS conversion kit for my CAAD but that just seems wrong and I'm not sure that there are actually any reliable mech-style tensioners about.

pic to illustrate how it works for tom

I know you said no steel but if you can live with the fact that its made of Cromo then the On-one kaffenback might be worth a look.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRPXKV2/planet_x_kaffenback_swap_out_frame

Curious why the aversion to steel. Is it the weight thing? Steel doesn't necessarily mean heavy, flexible, cheap, or whatever common misconceptions are out there. I think that there is a time and place for every material, and muddy, single speed, backroads exploring is a steel job in my book. There is also more availability in steel with the features that you are looking for. I'm playing devils advocate here, and won't fault you for continuing to look for aluminum. I just wouldn't count steel out yet.

I know you said no steel but if you can live with the fact that its made of Cromo then the On-one kaffenback might be worth a look.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRPXKV2/planet_x_kaffenback_swap_out_frame

Kaffenback looks to be a very cool frame.

I know you said no to steal, but I always though the all city space horse was a more attactive alternative to the surly: http://allcitycycles.com/bikes/space_horse

Otherwise isn't the more obvious answer an SS chain tensioner for your caad 8?

If you're after a new frame the Kinesis Decade Convert 2 does everything you've listed... I'm fact it actually IS the frame you want:
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/22830/Kinesis_Decade_Convert_2_Frameset_2011

Sensible geared winter mode:

Faux-track hipster summer mode:

That Kinesis looks perfect, thanks!

The only reason I'm saying no steel is because unless you pay a lot for it, it seems pretty heavy. I considered an On-One before I even got the CAAD but tbh Brant's attitude (as seen on STW etc) puts me right off, he comes across as such a smug prick!

My Kaffenback is currently in single speed mode, check the East Anglian Tourer thread in Current Projects. It ain't the lightest frame but you can throw it around corners and cane it over bridges with ease. I am going to go 9spd ( at least ) with mine and stick some drops with bar end shifters. I know it divides opinions but i love my Kaff.

thought i'd drop on the back of this - some good suggestions but no clearance info.

i'm looking for suggestions for a frame which will handle like a racer (not tourer) but still take 700x50 tyres.

to build something like this as a complete all rounder - it'll let me go against the n+1 rule , i.e. n-1:

http://lovelybike.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/surly-cross-check-worthy-host-for-700c.html

with option to have 2nd / 3rd set of wheels for fast road / more knobbly off-road

will 2013 specialized tricross frameset fit the tyres? one is going for 100 gbp i can have - also anyone tried this does it handle like a racer?

lighter and cheaper is better (as always) look and material are of no consequence sloping tube / allu / steel / compact etc all no probs any suggestions? tried an fx7.6 the other day - very racey, very light, never checked the clearance before i sold it! - high end marin specialized hybrid frames maybe?

Rigid 29er frame with drop bars is the obvious answer.

50mm is almost 2" - chances of that going in an every day* 'cross frame are approximately zero.

*i.e. modern, racy, race orientated, low BB frame.

50mm tyres are pretty big so that should limit your options to start with. +1 to finding many CX frames with that amount of clearance.

But if you can, then CX frames will feel more road like than a tourer... although I'd expect them to have slightly higher BBs.

I agree that looking for 29ers is a route. The only issue is the length of the headtube.... so you'll most likely have either a tiny stem or size down and have a scobble-stack.

Singular Peregrine might be worth looking at. Or that frame drøn has in Functional Bikes, etc.

This^ Peregrine is what you'll want. Disc mounts too!

^^ Dron's is a Rawland Drakkar.

Singular:

Also worth pointing out that the SIngular is meant to have drops, so you won't have as long a tt as with a 29er.

^Yeahhhhhhhhhh! I really like these and am very much tempted to buy one. Not sure about the vertical dropouts with SS though, always think it looks funny.

thanks for the good suggestions - all very nice, but too expensive,

can;t really go for a 29-er because when i put road wheels/ tyres in , i want it to be a racer.

i'll look out for an old cross check cheap i guess or one of the high end hybrids - if they have the clearance. .

@number6 - whilst you are looking for CC frames you might also consider looking for secondhand Kaffenback frames. Which other people have mentioned too. The 2012 version supports road brakes - something I wish my CC could do. It is a shame that Planet X have changed the 2013 to make it disc only. Having said that I did get a offer email yesterday for a fully built up Kaffenback for £799 the other day. With Tiagra drivetrain and shifters plus BB7 brakes.

The Salsa Casseroll might also be worth looking at. It can fit 40mm tyres and is slightly more roady and than the cross check.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8G5X9gPAXI/TlQrm-OSQXI/AAAAAAAACAk/2FNkVU7Mj3o/s1600/casseroll4.JPG

Casseroll is apparently big slow and heavy, so won't handle like a racer at all unfortunately.

Sorry - not sure why I felt the need to dredge this.