Greetings all,

I'm looking at getting into a cross soon, and I've found way too much good info on this site... I'm thinking about either the Cross-check or Poprad...I know there have been a lot of different postings on these two bikes. But, I haven't really heard from anyone who has ridden both of these. I have an 05 Poprad at the LBS I can test out, but the Surly would have to be ordered. So, can anyone shed light on the difference in actual ride? I've had plenty of info on componentry, etc. but really am trying to figure out the feel, virtually that is. Too bad I can't just ride 'em both.

(FYI, I'm probably looking at 70% urban commute, 15% light touring, 15% light trail. I'm hoping to keep it under 1k, if I can. I'm about 5'11, 145 lbs, 32" inseam => 55-56 frame, I would think. Other rides I'm entertaining: Jamis Aurora/Nova, Bianchi Volpe/Axis, maybe Kona Jake/JTS but I'd rather have steel)

Thanks in advance for any help on this. Cheers!

Id go with the poprad. Ive got a cc now, I rode a 2001 poprad last 'cross season. the poprad is more road friendly in my experience, the cc a bit more versatile. when you say youll be getting into 'cross, do you mean actually racing or just riding a 'cross bike? if racing, it's really a no brainer-poprad. for youre other intended uses, commuting/touring/trail riding, either is fine but unless youll be either converting to ss/fixed or running fat (greater than 40c) tires, the poprad is just a better bike.

unless you're going to race, for the type of riding you say you're gonna do you might want to look into some of the flat bar hybrids. look at the kona dr. dew, devinci amsterdam or sydney, cannondale bad boy, jamis coda. they can handle road and knobby tires and are likely more comfortable than the drop handlebars. put on some decent bar ends and you have a few different hand positions.

or just throw moustache bars on a poprad

Do the newer Poprads have rack eyelets? Considering the OP is looking at 85% commuting/touring, this should not be overlooked.

new poprads do have eyelets