Cyclocross - Surly Cross Check: how much LBS markup is acceptable?

So I'm in the market for a Cross Check, and I'd prefer to go the LBS route. They gave me a quote of $1500, but this is with some additional items that I specified (see below). I don't have a good feeling for what the individual price of each modification should be (note: the 105 and crank are swaps, so I'm not ending up with any spare parts). Just wondering if this looks reasonable or if the markup is overly excessive (I'm willing to live with some to support the shop).

Stock (online price) = $900
+ swap in Shimano 105, STI = $400?
+ swap in triple crank (instead of double) = $100?
+ Extra pair of brake levers on top handle = $100?
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Grand total = $1500

This is my rough guess as to how the price breaks down given the quote that I got.

sounds like it might be worth getting the thing stock and modding it yourself.

If putting on a triple, you may need to swap your short cage RD with a long cage one.

$1500 seems like a lot. There are better deals at that price point...unless you're sold on the Surly.

$1500 seems like a lot. There are better deals at that price point...unless you're sold on the Surly.

+1

You could buy the frameset for about $400 NIB and get a 105 or Ultegra build kit for close to what you're looking at. A better choice might be the Surly with a compact crank instead of a triple. IMO, $400 for 105 brifters, and he keeps the old parts, is outrageous. You can buy Campy Record brifters for under $350 on ebay new.

Tim

buy and build- frame+fork+105 level build kit < $1500 easily ...coloradocyclist.com has an Ultegra triple build kit starting at $1058+$400 for frame/fork, and you get an entirely better bike at the same price. I would figure with full 105, you could probably get in under $1200

$100 for top levers seems pricey. my LBS did it for about half that (with the Tektro levers).

Do you need the extra brakes on top? I was originally asking for them, and my LBS said I didn't need them, and it was a bit of a newbie thing (also on a crosscheck) and they were right. I have never needed or missed them.

If you're worried about money, that's something you don't really need and will save you a few bucks.

Do you need the extra brakes on top? I was originally asking for them, and my LBS said I didn't need them, and it was a bit of a newbie thing (also on a crosscheck) and they were right. I have never needed or missed them.

If you're worried about money, that's something you don't really need and will save you a few bucks.

Cool, I was kinda coming to the same conclusion myself. Besides I don't think I'll like all that cable clutter near the handlebars anyway.

From all the input here so far, I'm actually thinking about getting the frame+fork first, then building up the rest from scratch myself.

I haven't finished installing mine yet, but every time I ride my road bike or my cross bike, I wish I had the second set of levers. I only started riding road in the last year, but came from 9 years of mountain biking. Old habits die hard, and I prefer the option.

That seems to be a really expensive quote. Almost any LBS can order a Cross Check, if I were you I'd go to a few other shops and see what they can do for you. You'll most likely find the same set-up for a lot less money.

My local shop quoted me $975 on a "stock" Cross-Check (compared to the $930 I found it for online), and ended up building me one essentially exactly like what you are looking for (Ultegra brifters, the 105s didn't work for some reason, triple crank, and I think he handbuilt the wheels instead of the machine-built ones) minus the top brake levers for like $1300. So I guess I would say your guy's quote seems $1-200 high.

I ended up having the LBS order the stock bike for about <$1000. Planning to upgrade everything myself over time. Thanks for all the feedback!