A couple suggestions for off-road-izing my CrossCheck?

[rickyaustin]

Yo.

This has been cross posted in Clydesdale, incase this is deja vu for ya...

I currently ride a 60" Surly CrossCheck and it is in road/commuter mode right now. I got it in June and that is just how it has been. I'm going to start exploring the limits of the bike with some muddy off-road dirtbike trails on my buddy's property. I will also ride it thru the winter. So I need to know what I should change on the bike!

I apologize for this length... just chip in when you get sick of reading.

Handlebars:
I currently use a 46cm Salsa "Short & Shallow" bar. I'm thinking about trying out some Midge bars. This board had good things to say about the CrossCheck and Brooks saddle and I love both. I imagine I'd love the Midge.
• Does the Midge come in different widths? I couldn't find a difinitive answer either way online.
• WIll my Tiagra brifters work on the Midge bar?
• Anything else? I imagine I may need a new stem.

Tires/Wheels:
I'm currently running a 32mm Panaracer Commuter tire (forget the name) on Mavic A319 with Deore hubs(not sure which Deore, if there are different trims in hubs for them). Obviously not optimal tires for mud/snow/loose gravel.
• What are the widest tires I can/should run to ensure I can get thru some nasty mud uphill? CrossCheck, remember.
• What would you buy?
• If it matters, I'm ~300lbs so saving a few grams in tires is not a concern. If I want to shave weight, I should do some situps. But the tire should be able to hold me, if that's a concern at all?

• I would not be opposed to buying some new wheels. I know mine aren't at the top end of performance wheels. I just won't be buying any $1000 racing wheels. Once again, I'm not skinny yet, so I don't need hardcore carbon wheels. But if a good set is out there, it would save me the hassle of changing tires everytime I change surfaces.

• Will my Brooks B17 be OK in the snow/mud? I don't mind using the thing or getting it dirty... I just don't want to kill it.

Fenders
I know the hardcore purists will scoff at the notion, but I am not one, so ignore me on this one :p
• Is there a clip'on rear fender like you see on mountain bikes that would work for the CC?
• Is there a front fender version of that?
• I have canti brakes if that matters.
• I don't really like the look or setup of the standard metal wheelcovering fenders that you normally see, so I am exploring other options. If there aren't other options, I'll probably just forget it and live with the extra muddyness.

The components will remain the same, regardless of whether they are good enough or not. This will become my commuter/mud/snow/dirt bike and I will be buying a true road bike next spring.

Thanks alot

[martianone]

Rickyaustin:

Handlebars:
I currently use a 46cm Salsa "Short & Shallow" bar. I'm thinking about trying out some Midge bars. This board had good things to say about the CrossCheck and Brooks saddle and I love both. I imagine I'd love the Midge.
• Does the Midge come in different widths? I couldn't find a difinitive answer either way online.
• WIll my Tiagra brifters work on the Midge bar?
• Anything else? I imagine I may need a new stem.

***Have an Albatross bar with a bar end on my crosscheck-
consider a mustache bar, especially for riding in mud or snow; you might have better control.


Tires/Wheels:
I'm currently running a 32mm Panaracer Commuter tire (forget the name) on Mavic A319 with Deore hubs(not sure which Deore, if there are different trims in hubs for them). Obviously not optimal tires for mud/snow/loose gravel.
• What are the widest tires I can/should run to ensure I can get thru some nasty mud uphill? CrossCheck, remember.
• What would you buy?
• If it matters, I'm ~300lbs so saving a few grams in tires is not a concern. If I want to shave weight, I should do some situps. But the tire should be able to hold me, if that's a concern at all?

***Probably 42 mm, 47 mm will fit; but most likely won't give much room for mud clearance.
I ride with 42x622 marathons from april to nov; dec to march i put on W106 studded snow tires.






• I would not be opposed to buying some new wheels. I know mine aren't at the top end of performance wheels. I just won't be buying any $1000 racing wheels. Once again, I'm not skinny yet, so I don't need hardcore carbon wheels. But if a good set is out there, it would save me the hassle of changing tires everytime I change surfaces.

***I'm also "big boned" as they, have my summer tires on a set of 36 spoke mavic 317 rims with LX
hubs, winter tires are on the stock cross check wheels. the stock wheels are ok, but not great. if you have a set of wheels made, don't spare the spokes. IMO a set
of handbuilt wheels with basic components is more effective than a higher end machine made wheels.

• Will my Brooks B17 be OK in the snow/mud? I don't mind using the thing or getting it dirty... I just don't want to kill it.

***Have a B-17, gotten it pretty damp, muddy and snow covered; seems fine- just let it dry out
naturally. When i got it, put on a very thin layer of proofhide about every other week for three
or four applications- especially covering the bottom and the seat edges- make sure to let it set for
a day or two before you ride it.


Fenders
I know the hardcore purists will scoff at the notion, but I am not one, so ignore me on this one
• Is there a clip'on rear fender like you see on mountain bikes that would work for the CC?
• Is there a front fender version of that?
• I have canti brakes if that matters.
• I don't really like the look or setup of the standard metal wheelcovering fenders that you normally see, so I am exploring other options. If there aren't other options, I'll probably just forget it and live with the extra muddyness.

***got one of those rear fender things you attach to the seat post, don't recall what it is called
as i got it from a left over sale bin for a $1, it is an ugly yellow color, looks funny mounted
on the bike- but works suprisingly well keeping road slop off of your back. there is a little
tab thing to attached to the front tube to protect your front- it worked ok too- until one day
when i wacked it with a winter boot and made it fubar; i ride without it now.