[bluehair]

I am thinking about getting a cyclocross frame for a touring bike. I usually ride a bike with a horizonatal 54cm c-c top tube and a 54cm c-c seat tube. My inseam is 31.5in in stocking feet. I am looking at a cross frame which is 54x54, but the standover height is listed as 34in with cross tires on it. I do not know how to guage the standover height for 700c tires. Can anyone help? Is this bike just too darn big? Thanks.

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[linux_author]

- you want to tour, not ride cyclocross, right? if you want to tour, go with top tube measurement, don't worry about standover (unless you have an unusual body type)... if you intend to ride cyclocross on the frameset, a bike fit for touring, AFAIK, would be a size too big?

[bluehair]

Thanks. That's just what I needed to know.

[Ziemas]

Also keep in mind that the chainstays on a cyclocross frame will be shorter than on a touring frame. You might have heel strike problems.

[thatguy]

If you're touring, why not get a touring bike? If you want both, check out the Surly Cross-check. That bike can do anything.

[brianallan]

Is stand-over height an important consideration when racing cross? I'm also new to cross, and plan on racing this season, but don't know what to look for in geometry. I have the option of getting a custom built frame, so i could opt for more stand-over height if needed. I also plan on touring on my bike : )

[Mr_Finster]

I would second the notion for the Cross-Check. One of the most versatile bikes out there. Got mine set up for fixed-gear communting, but ready for the single-track, too.

[garagegirl]

I would second the notion for the Cross-Check. One of the most versatile bikes out there. Got mine set up for fixed-gear communting, but ready for the single-track, too.

Why is the Surly considered so unique in this regard? I can't figure out how the surly is any different from any other steel cross frame with water bottle, fender, and rack mounts, like the Jamis Nova or Gunnar Crosshairs. Aside from the horizontal dropouts that is. Are the chainstays considerably longer?

[martianone]

when someone asks me what "bike to get",
i suggest a Rans Rocket recumbent (first) then a Cross Check.
A Cross Check is my winter bike.
it is very very versatile, as i'm sure other similar cyclocross bikes are.
Frame size & specs among these bikes (Jamis Nova, Gunnar Crosshairs,
Surly Cross-Check, Jake the Snake, etc) are comparable.
There is something very satisfying about the way a Cross Check
performs that is greater than the sum of it's parts or attributes.

[c_m_shooter]

The 52cm Cross Check has a 54.7cm top tube, if that helps. It will clear huge tires if you ever decide to take it off road.

[thatguy]

Why is the Surly considered so unique in this regard? I can't figure out how the surly is any different from any other steel cross frame with water bottle, fender, and rack mounts, like the Jamis Nova or Gunnar Crosshairs. Aside from the horizontal dropouts that is. Are the chainstays considerably longer?
Well, the frame is probably half the price of the Gunnar, for one...

[Ziemas]

Why is the Surly considered so unique in this regard? I can't figure out how the surly is any different from any other steel cross frame with water bottle, fender, and rack mounts, like the Jamis Nova or Gunnar Crosshairs. Aside from the horizontal dropouts that is. Are the chainstays considerably longer?
No, the chainstays aren't longer, but it does have clearance for amazingly large tires, which most of the other bikes don't have.

[garagegirl]

Well, the frame is probably half the price of the Gunnar, for one...
I know that this discussion is about new bikes, but for anyone shopping for a used bike, it seems the resale value for surlys is higher comparatively. This is good news if you're selling, but not if you're buying. I've seen gunnars go for roughly the same as surlys on ebay. Bikes like the Nova go for even less.

[Adagio Corse]

But Surlys are inexpensive to begin with. A frame and fork crosscheck combo runs around $400 new. If you're lucky, you can find a used frame for $200-$300.

So if you're buying, you're not saving much getting used simply because as "new" the crosscheck is such a great deal. Kind of like a 2 year old Camry - still expensive.

[garagegirl]

All I'm saying is don't let cost limit you to Surlys. I've seen Gunnars go for around $400-600 complete with nice components. If you shop used for something like a Gunnar or Poprad, you can a get a lot more bike compared to a new Surly.