Conquest or Cross Check for first cx bike

[LowCel]

Well I was planning on buying a Redline Conquest but now I'm not so sure about getting the all aluminum frame/fork. I can get a Surly Cross Check for about $40 more so I am looking at it as well. The thing that I don't like about the Surly is the bar end shifters. I can always change the shifters though so I can get by that part.

I am planning on using this bike primarily for fire roads to help me get into shape for mountain bike racing. I am also planning on putting my road bike wheelset on it and using it as a road bike some until my new road bike frame arrives (another 6-8 weeks :) ) I'm also planning on trying a couple of cyclocross races later this year.

Anyway, if you had to decide between these two bikes which would you buy?

[Chop]

I bought my Cross-Check about a month ago. I wanted a steel frame. My first three choices, the Bianchi Volpe, LeMond Poprad & Jamis Nova were not available from the manufacturers due to a shortage of Shimano components.

My LBS located a Surly in my size. After changing the stem, saddle & seat post the bike fits great. I'm happy with it so far.

[MrEWorm]

The cross check complete may have the bar ends. If you buy the frame, you can have it built any way you want.

[velocipedio]

if you plan to race, i'd suggest going with a the redline. it's not the best race rig out there, but it's a bit lighter than a built-up surly and the surly's i've tried are a bit slow on the tight turns [though they carve sweeping turns quite nicely]. my main complain about the surly [as a race bike] is that the bb is a bit noodly.

[LowCel]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I decided that I'm really not all that crazy about the way the surly is spec'ed when buying it as a complete bike. I'm just not a fan of the bar end shifters plus the wheelset really isn't all that impressive. I figure to just keep everything simple the redline will probably be better for me right now. If I end up enjoying cyclocross then I will have no problem justifying buying a better bike later on this year. Right now it's just a little tough on me since I just ordered a titanium independent fabrication crown jewel frameset. I still need to buy my dura ace 10 components for it so money is just a little tight right now.