The Wish List

Here's a list of things I wanted initially without worrying about cost and compatibility.

Black Chromoly Frame (weight is not a real issue)
Disc Compatible Internal Hub
Disc Compatible Dynohub
Hydraulic/Mechanical Disc Brakes
Moustache or On-one Mary Style Handlebar
Adjustable Stem
Brooks Saddle
Single chainring w/ guard
Balloon Tires (e.g. Schwalbe Big Apple or Fat Frank)
Brighter Dynamo headlight: Busch & Muller Lumotec Cyo IQ or Supernova E3

Other than that miscellaneous parts such as rims, spokes, seat post, pedals, chains, etc.,  are not really a concern.  Fenders and racks would be nice, but I probably won't find them useful in this case.

Inspirations

Most of them comes from flickr.com, velospace.org, and last but not least, google image search.  I really dig the fully-equipped-plain-traditional-vintage look, but the modern and sporty style seems to fit my type of ride better.  M.A.P.'s bike is on the top of my list, but color-wise, I prefer black frame with chrome wheels and components like the A.N.T.'s (see below).

M.A.P. Cycles

A.N.T. Bikes

Soma Juice with Alfine

Cotic Roadrat with Alfine

Felt X:City 1

Surly Crosscheck SS

Surly Karate Monkey Alfine

About the Title: Building Biking Commuting

I got this idea from a book called "Wish It, Want It, Do It" by Brian Griffin from the Family Guy, (No. 3 best seller from Amazon according to the show).   Mine probably won't change anybody's life or have the same success.  If you are customizing a bike with similar configurations and need anything here for reference, I'll try my best to give you as much detail as possible.

How did it all started

Was it the pictures from Bicycling Magazine?  I didn't quite remember why I wanted a bicycle with a gear-hub, (other than those magazine photos or being able to change gear during a stop), but I've always wanted one ever since three years ago in 2007, which is when the Shimano Alfine gruppo is first release in the United States.  Sometime in 2008, while I was coming back from work, I drove by Cyclepath in Hayward and happened to see the 2009 Swobo Dixon with an SRAM i-Motion 9 in the storefront.  Being a bike enthusiast, I couldn't help but beg the owner for a test ride.  Long story short, love everything except the disc brakes (Avid BB5 front and BB7 rear), which didn't quite appear have the stopping power of v-brakes.  The gear range for the Dixon's configuration is more than adequate for me.   It's also a very light bike compared to other similar ones.  Trust me, I tried lifting a ~2007/2008 Novara Transfer (REI), Novara Fusion (REI), Bianchi Milano (Palo Alto Bicycles), Jamis Commuter 3.0 (Sports Basement in Crissy Field), and Specialized Globe Centrum (Mike's Bikes); from what I remembered, they were not as light as the Swobo Dixon.   I also talked about my initial impression about the Swobo Dixon here in bike forums, which later found out it takes time for new disc brakes to break-in in order for them to work as they should.  At that time I really wanted the Swobo Dixon, but I was able to stop myself from thinking about it and see what my other options are.