We've got one Kona Smoke in the household and I am just continually astonished at how high quality it is for the money. I'm riding a $2000 build up of a Vassago for my 9er, while the gf rides the Kona, which was like $350 at REI. I love my bike, but I'm envious of the V-brake mounts, the pannier mounts, and the incredible quality of the parts for the cost. On the downside, it's heavy! It's like a tank because almost every part on the bike that can be steel...is steel, including the handlebars it appears. But that issue can be upgraded into oblivion. My only complaint with it is the stock crank/bb feels a tad bit clicky or something when I stand up on the Kona and crank back and forth - but it's a triple and you would be replacing that with a single anyway...so problem solved.
I definitely wouldn't bother with a Surly though unless you can afford to just buy the frame and outfit all the parts yourself. Their build quality is way overrated and just not cool. My buddy got a Karate Monkey from the LBS, it was great until he had it for a few months, then the crank started making weird slipping issues, the front brakes would cause the fork to bend terribly and make awful noises...and it's an SS bicycle. I mean for $1300 + SS it should be bulletproof. The Kona for $350 with gears + V-brakes just can't be beaten for the price.
