[Downshift]

Actually, I have 2 new cross frames. Surly Cross Check and a Cannondale Cross. I didn't really mean to buy two frames, just kinda did. Now what to do...

I'm looking for a do it all bike. I have like 7 bikes at the house right now, and I probably need to reduce that. I'm thinking the Surly would be great for everything except weekend group rides, the Cannondale for everything except touring.

Should I keep both? I mean is the 'dale cross really a good road bike replacement (no racing, just group rides). Or should I just eBay/trade/sell one frame. Money's not really the problem, space is. If you had to choose one which would you choose?

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[jpearl]

The Cannondale is best described as an "out of the box" cyclocross racing bike. It's great on grass, dirt, mud, snow, run-ups, and choppy paved surfaces, but if you're not a cyclocrosser and don't have the kind of bike handling skills usually aquired thru 'cross riding, then you might find the bike stiff and twitchy of all you are doing on it is touring, commuting, road riding, and other varied non-'cross riding.

I don't know about the Surly, but from what I read in this forum, people who buy it as a multi-purpose bike are very pleased with it in those regards. I've heard of people using the Cannondale as a quasi-road bike, but I can tell you that it's much more enjoyable slogging through a grassy, muddy field than speeding down the road. You won't feel every blade of grass, but you will feel every bump in the road.

If you're a cyclocrosser, go with the 'Dale. If you're everything else, go with the Surly.

[flipped4bikes]

Here is my suggestion: Trade in those frames for a Specialized Tricross Comp. It'll do everything that your bikes can do plus tour! Any scratch left over, buy the stuff necessary to complete your bike: racks, panniers, fenders (installing them so far is PITA, another story).

But if I had to choose between the two bikes, it'd be the Surly IMO the more versatile...

[sfcrossrider]

Build the Surly. I use mine for EVERYTHING (yes that also means racing and riding off-road) and it works great. I have a handmade Bontrager road bike and I can say the Surly's ride is as good. They're that good.

[fogrider]

Build the Surly. I use mine for EVERYTHING (yes that also means racing and riding off-road) and it works great. I have a handmade Bontrager road bike and I can say the Surly's ride is as good. They're that good.

the Surly is good, but is the weight an issue? what does the Surly weight in at? I know that weight is not everything, but I have a few bikes and riding up and down skyline or tam on steel bike is great on the first climb, but at the end of the day, a lightweight bike will get up the hills a little faster.

[jeremyb]

no offense but thats like asking should i buy a dodge ram or a porsche boxter?

they'll do different things...

if you want to race, keep the cannondale....

if you want a beefy/commuter rig/cx bike keep the surly.

sure you could race the surly, but i wouldnt. Do you have a cyclocross bike already in the garage? if no, id keep the cannondale.

those are my thoughts...

jeremy

[Chipracer]

Suggestion:

Sell one to me because I really need a new cross bike for the NCCA season

[Downshift]

Chipracer,
PM me or check the link in my signature.

I decided to get rid of both of them actually. As soon as I built up the Surly, I realized I wasn't really going to use it as I had intended. I'm actually pairing down quite a few bikes. I've just got too many.