Commuting - New Bike Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will order my new Surly Cross Check to use for commuting and play. Following is the list of other basic items I will buy…am I leaving anything out?
Rack (I have panniers)
Front Light (I have a good rear light)
Extra Tubes
Water bottle cage(s)
Pedals (I’m getting the SPD on one side and flat on the other)
Locks (U and Cable)
I have tire levers/patch kit, pump, etc. for my road bike to use with the commuter bike until I have cash to get another set.

Fenders!

Fenders if you're in a rainy area. I have SKS P-45's on mine and that covers my 28mm Conti UG's in the summer and my Innova 35mm studded tires in the snow.

Road tires if you're not taking it off road. The stock CX tires are kinda beefy for the pavement.

Kool Stop Salmon brake pads. Those stock Tektro p.o.c. pads lasted me about 1 month.

If you like the Velo Plush saddle, then enjoy it. I think the stock saddle is uncomfortable and swapped my B.17 onto my X-Check.

If you got it in black, then get some black Scotchlite reflective tape and stripe your frame with it for visibility at night. The black Scotchlite tape matches Surly's paint exactly and you can't see it during the day, but it's super bright at night when lights hit it.

Good choice of bike, I'm getting myself a cross check during my LBS' spring sale at the end of March.

+1 on Fenders, if you live where you'll need them.

You are gonna love it

Pedals (I’m getting the SPD on one side and flat on the other)

Which side is the SPD pedal, the right or the left?

Things I must have that have not been mentioned.
1. Kevlar or Vectran belted tires
2. Mr Tuffy tire liners or, equivalent.
3. CO2 inflater with several cartridges in addition to compact pump.

I cannot afford ever, to be late to work. Thus, the above.

I will never use a CO2 cartridge on the way home, unless I somehow didn't carry the pump that day. Extremely rare but, possible.

Things I must have that have not been mentioned.
1. Kevlar or Vectran belted tires
2. Mr Tuffy tire liners or, equivalent.
3. CO2 inflater with several cartridges in addition to compact pump.

I cannot afford ever, to be late to work. Thus, the above.

I will never use a CO2 cartridge on the way home, unless I somehow didn't carry the pump that day. Extremely rare but, possible.

+1

Might as well make this thing as flat-proof as possible for a little more dough.

+1

Might as well make this thing as flat-proof as possible for a little more dough.

Schwalbe Marathon+ 28 or 32mm
or
Conti Ultra Gatorskin 28 or 32mm tires. And make sure you have some steel or steel core tire irons, because either of those tires on the stock DA-16 rims fit tighter than a wetsuit.

convert to Tubeless with a Stan's kit, or at least squirt some sealant in the standard tubes (think Slime that actually works) and say goodby to 90% of the opportunities for a disabled Surly :)

Which side is the SPD pedal, the right or the left?

I was going to reply with the same smartass response, but now that I think about it, having one SPD pedal and one platform isn't completely ******** for a commuter. Having a foot clipped is great for quick acceleration, but having one on a platform is nice at lights. I have actually considered doing this just to see how it works. For me, I usually put my left foot down, so I'd go with the SPD on the right.

Niiice steed!

Oh yeah, one of these adds some class and a little cha ching!

http://static.nitrosell.com/3/735/product_images/ACSA0027.JPG

I was going to reply with the same smartass response

You're right, it was a smartass response; but I just couldn't help it.

I would think that having a cleat on the right side and a flat pedal on the left would only work if you also had a toeclip on the left. I wouldn't like having one foot clipped in the other loose.

Niiice steed!

Oh yeah, one of these adds some class and a little cha ching!

http://static.nitrosell.com/3/735/product_images/ACSA0027.JPG

I prefer the old-school "on your left" vocal technique. At least until I turn 65.

Niiice steed!

Oh yeah, one of these adds some class and a little cha ching!

http://static.nitrosell.com/3/735/product_images/ACSA0027.JPG

Do those come in airhorn?

Do those come in airhorn?

Delta Airzounds.

Yes. Yes they do.

Mirror

I use a Blackburn road mirror. It attaches to the brake hood with a velcro strap.

Congrats! You must post pictures after the arrival.

Things I must have that have not been mentioned.
1. Kevlar or Vectran belted tires
2. Mr Tuffy tire liners or, equivalent.
3. CO2 inflater with several cartridges in addition to compact pump.

I cannot afford ever, to be late to work. Thus, the above.

I will never use a CO2 cartridge on the way home, unless I somehow didn't carry the pump that day. Extremely rare but, possible.

All I ever carry on the commute is CO2 inflater with 2-3 cartridges..... course, I have to carry to much other stuff.

Wow I miss my CrossCheck :cry:

It might be "THE" bike for you !!! :beer:

Niiice steed!

Oh yeah, one of these adds some class and a little cha ching!

http://static.nitrosell.com/3/735/product_images/ACSA0027.JPG

I bought one of these. They're crap. I broke it putting it on my bars. Why they can't use one of the functional universal systems for hooking onto handlebars I don't know... It'd be awfully nice if it snapped onto the same thing my cateye light does...

I think what the OP meant by spd/platform is the style pedal I have.

Each pedal has spd on one side, and a platform on the other. You can snap the platforms out for two sided spd use if desired.

I leave my platforms on for the reflectors, and in case I want to use the bike for a short trip with regular shoes.

Enjoy the new bike!