I love my cross check, only had it for a couple of weeks. sometimes I go out to get on my road bike and I end up on the surly. Sweeet bike. Actually I ahve less than 200 miles on it but I do just enjoy the heck out of it. I too was concerned about the bar end shifters so I got all 105 with brifters (STI ?) I had bar end shifters in the 70's, better than downtubes, but still I dont think I would like them nowdays. Much more expensive for the brifters by the way.
__________________
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are