Cyclocross - can i put a 24t granny ring on my stock crosscheck?

i have a stock '09 crosscheck. i need some lower gearing, and thought a 24t granny ring on the inside of the spider would do the trick.
i've read differing accounts of this working, as well as heard different things from people at bike shops. what's the real deal?

It would probably work, but not optimal. Maximum capacity is 16 teeth. You have 24 if your big ring is 48. It may work, shifting won't be great as that's a big jump. It would probably rub pretty good if you were in the 24 and a small cog in the back.

If I was you, I'd look into going with a larger cassette instead. Switch to something like a 12/32.

If I was you, I'd look into going with a larger cassette instead. Switch to something like a 12/32.

This.

What crankset do you currently have? According to the Surly website, the stock complete Crosscheck bike comes with a compact double road crank, which will only take down to a 33-tooth inner ring. If you already have a triple crankset, with a 30-tooth inner ring, then switching this for a 28 or 26 tooth version is pretty straightforward and shouldn't cause too many problems, putting a 24-tooth ring on their would be possible, but would be pushing the boundaries a bit.

I just put a 24 tooth ring on the stock crankset of my 09 Crosscheck two weeks ago and it works fine, you can't go all the way to the smallest cog in the back, but you don't need to. All you need is a chainring and bolts, a 118mm BB, and a triple front der.

The stock Cross Check cranks have the bolt holes for a third chainring, you will just need a wider bottom bracket as stated above.

Don't know about 24, but I have a 26 and it works great. Lowest gear - 26 front, 27 back.

yes (http://blackmountaincycles.blogspot.com/2009/11/burly-surly-cross-check.html)

just add the chainring, it will work pretty well.