Commuting - Surly Girls

My twin Cross-Checks, which have become my mainstay commuters

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2232/img04901hk.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04901hk.jpg)

The 2006 build up was the Pearl Green commu-tourer

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7866/img04784wd.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04784wd.jpg)

Drivetrain consists of a Deore XT crank, XTR rapid rise rear derailleur, LX front derailleur, 8 speed barcons and an XT cassette. Shimano UN7X series bottom bracket. Mavic 601 hubs laced to Swiss DT R1.1 rims. Avid V-brakes with Dia-Compe levers. Set of Midge handlebars up on a Salsa stem. A second stem carries the Topeak bar bag and allows me to get those handlebars up nice and high. The MTX trunk bag rides on a Surly Nice Rack. Brooks saddle for style and comfort. A pair of 700x37 Conti Contact tires keep it rolling while my feet are held in place with Crank Bros Candies.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/5827/img04812dk.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04812dk.jpg)http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/9837/img04852dn.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04852dn.jpg)http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3541/img04862ny.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04862ny.jpg)http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4737/img04873wf.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04873wf.jpg)

Last years build was the Black fixed gear

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/4629/img04942jp.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04942jp.jpg)

Phil Wood hubs laced to Mavic CXP33 rims. Sugino 75 crankset with a 43 tooth ring and a 17 tooth EAI cog. Phil Wood bottom bracket. Deore V-Brakes with Dia-Compe levers. A 135 degree stem gets the Nitto bars up high. Another Brooks saddle and those Crank Bros pedals show up.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9493/img04959ze.th.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04959ze.jpg)http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4240/img04967dc.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04967dc.jpg)http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2420/img04974be.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img04974be.jpg)


I really hope Surly comes out with another Cross-Check color next year.........

Wow. I'm in love with your bikes and since I hope to be starting on a singlespeed/fixed Cross Check soon I have lots of questions.

1. How do the Midges and Noodle bars compare? I'm leaning towards the Noodles for the true 26.0 clamp, that nice ramp areas and that classic look, but the shallow drop and super width of the Midges is appealing as well.
2. Did you get the Noodles from Rivendell or somewhere cheaper ; ?
3. How do you like the Sugino 75s? I have a old Stronglight crankset that will probably get called into service, but if the Suginos are super-amazing I would consider investing. I guess I was under the impression that small chainrings in 144bcd were a pain to find or expensive, and that coupled with the cost of the crankset turned me off.
4. Was getting the chainline right a hassle or did it go smoothly?
5. Is the drivetrain on the fixed 3/32 or 1/8th?
6. How are the Phil hubs? I have no personal experience with them. I'm really torn between getting a cheapo Formula hub wheelset or having some actual nice wheels built up.

6. How are the Phil hubs? I have no personal experience with them. I'm really torn between getting a cheapo Formula hub wheelset or having some actual nice wheels built up.

Go for the genuine Surly hubs. I haven't had one complaint about them and the chainline on my Cross Check was perfect the first time.


I really hope Surly comes out with another Cross-Check color next year.........

No way, go find yourself an older ugly green frame. The only color a Cross Check should be.

Wow. I'm in love with your bikes and since I hope to be starting on a singlespeed/fixed Cross Check soon I have lots of questions.

1. How do the Midges and Noodle bars compare? I'm leaning towards the Noodles for the true 26.0 clamp, that nice ramp areas and that classic look, but the shallow drop and super width of the Midges is appealing as well.
2. Did you get the Noodles from Rivendell or somewhere cheaper ; ?
3. How do you like the Sugino 75s? I have a old Stronglight crankset that will probably get called into service, but if the Suginos are super-amazing I would consider investing. I guess I was under the impression that small chainrings in 144bcd were a pain to find or expensive, and that coupled with the cost of the crankset turned me off.
4. Was getting the chainline right a hassle or did it go smoothly?
5. Is the drivetrain on the fixed 3/32 or 1/8th?
6. How are the Phil hubs? I have no personal experience with them. I'm really torn between getting a cheapo Formula hub wheelset or having some actual nice wheels built up.

1. The Nittos are Randonneurs, they have a 25.4 clamp. I went with that clamp size as that appears to be the stems with larger rises. In a bar shoot out, I'd prefer the Midges, really like that drop flare.

2. www.speedgoat.com , again, Nitto Randos. Speedgoats a great shop, they built up the wheels for me.

3. Nice and stiff. They are actually transplants from my GT track bike, set of DAs went over there. You can get 144 rings down to 42 tooth, www.loosescrews.com

4. Chainline was a snap as I have a Phil Wood bottom bracket in there.

5. It's track componentry, so 1/8".

6. Phil Wood is top shelf. Maybe a little pricey. At the time there seemed to be a limited amount of 135mm hubs with fixed gear threading. No complaints.

No way, go find yourself an older ugly green frame. The only color a Cross Check should be.

The infamous baby poop green? 531 steel and a threaded fork.

you meant 653 steel, before they wised up to the price and went with cheapo 4130 cromo.

[QUOTE=dobber]My twin Cross-Checks, which have become my mainstay commuters
my favorite commute bike is my surly cross check.
i rode the surly pacer today though.
if you can change your bikes like you do clothes, may as well.
i don't care what i wear, only what i ride.

yes nice bikes der....

have you been tooo

http://www.fixed-gear.net/

Its a sweet frame with lots of fix'ins.
totally worth the $300.00 and free shipping...

The infamous baby poop green? 531 steel and a threaded fork.

Mine is is the "baby poop" green, but 4130 and treadless. I would really like that color and geomotry in the original 653/threaded. That color is still my favorite.

you meant 653 steel, before they wised up to the price and went with cheapo 4130 cromo.

653, 654, whatever it takes..............

And since I'm not a steel snob, I'd say less expensive 4130.

653, 654, whatever it takes..............

And since I'm not a steel snob, I'd say less expensive 4130.

It was actually 631, but who's counting? :D

Thanks for answering my questions by the way!

lots of fix'ins.

Where are these "fix'ins" you speak of?

http://www.fixed-gear.net/images/FRAME/webpics/FIXED_GEAR_side.JPG