The cash is nearly there so time to make the most of peoples opinions.
I am after a cross bike or frame. Not specifically to race, more of a play/roughstuff bike, so variations on a theme maybe. Option 1 is to go for a mainstream cross or touring bike. They both have the same virtues ie lots of mud clearance. However I fancy something different. Would like a high front end as my back prefers bars near seat height. My duff elbows prefer drops. I am a 30" legged 5'7" er. Discs would be nice. Looking at things like Singular Pergrine but maybe I am missing something. Steel please as Ti is too pricey and after getting back on my 531 road bike and using it off road I realise that its far nicer than alloy and carbon.
Bright ideas please. All fads and prejudices gratefully considered.

mmm peregrine 😉 very nice . ive a surly crosscheck which is lovely but non disc. id love a peregrine but funds do not allow at present. maybe a roadrat too ?

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/my-new-shopping-bikeo

with a slightly knobblier tyre.

If Sam made one big enough I'd trade my Crosscheck in for a Peregrine, even though I like my crosscheck, because it is so well thought out and looks so gorgeous! Don't think- there's much that has the versatility of the peregrine and has disks, but Chrosscheck is pretty close and I have a disc fork to improve stopping power. You could look at the Salsa Fargo, but that's designed more for some serious offroad adventures and might be overkill.