Cyclocross - Salsa Vaya vs. Surly Crosscheck

Hi everyone. I want a cross cycle for mostly, touring, road, and some packed trail (in parks) riding. I am asking it to do it all, aren't I. I am concerned about the fact that I have some steep hills on the roads I ride so this is a consideration. I would like opinions on the pros and cons of the Salsa Vaya(with disc brakes) to the Surly Crosscheck. Both are steel frames. Vaya seems to have better stock components? I think the disc brakes may be desirable considering that the Vaya still has fender and rack mounts so you aren't giving anything up. What do you think of each of these bikes for distance riding and pavement hills?

Well they are not women's proportioned frames.. for #1..

So, you have to find a dealer and test ride each. both are QBP brands, same company.

Component details can be changed at point of sale .. like smaller third chainrings .

Haven't really liked the women's frames. I am rather tall at 5ft 8 with a 32 inch inseam. I have tested both and am in a quandry. REally prefer the surly for the blue color(which seems shallow). I like the disc brakes on the vaya and the lower gears. It does seem to move between gears more effortlessly and it felt like a lighter bike when riding although the scale doesn't bear that out.

Nothing wrong with liking a particular color. Once again, though, one bike has brifters while the other has bar ends. Do you have a preference?

I don't know why, but I've never cared for the aesthetics of the Cross Check. I really like the Vaya though. I've never ridden either. Personally, I would still take a Tricross or a Jake. Also, that Crux you mentioned in your other post that was on sale should be a great bike. But not if you need rack or fender mounts (at least I don't think it has them). There are usually ways around that though, if you want to get creative.

Thanks for the input waynesworld! Glad you don't think the Salsa vaya is ugly. I prefer the crosscheck for the color but the ride on the vaya (its geometry) just perfectly fits my body proportions. The disance from seat to handlebars is shorter on the vaya which is better as it allows me to be more upright taking the strain off my my back and kneck. The top bar slants slightly which lifts the handlebars and actually makes a bit more suitable for a woman also. I prefer the longer neck on the vaya with the higher handlebar set. I can almost live with the stock seat on the vaya. I can barely ride the crosscheck stock seat, and the store refused to let me switch saddles to test ride it which I found really annoying. If I can get over that ugly charcoal, I should be fine. Eyes closed the Vaya suits me better.

I'd definitely go with the Vaya given what you've said. You could always have the Vaya powder coated a different color. I believe it's also available in orange, though I personally really like the charcoal.

you can only pick a color if the frame is not coming out of an Import shipping container.

QBP gets their frames and most of their inventory from TW contract manufacturers..

components are interchangeable parts, you can change stuff..

I want a cross cycle for mostly, touring, road, and some packed trail (in parks) riding.

you can get an LHT disc Trucker , to do that too.. , even in a 26" wheel version..

Thanks for the input waynesworld! Glad you don't think the Salsa vaya is ugly. I prefer the crosscheck for the color but the ride on the vaya (its geometry) just perfectly fits my body proportions. The disance from seat to handlebars is shorter on the vaya which is better as it allows me to be more upright taking the strain off my my back and kneck. The top bar slants slightly which lifts the handlebars and actually makes a bit more suitable for a woman also. I prefer the longer neck on the vaya with the higher handlebar set. I can almost live with the stock seat on the vaya. I can barely ride the crosscheck stock seat, and the store refused to let me switch saddles to test ride it which I found really annoying. If I can get over that ugly charcoal, I should be fine. Eyes closed the Vaya suits me better.

NP. I looked up the latest Cross Check, and that blue is pretty. I do not think the Vaya is ugly though, I think it's beautiful. And I like both the charcoal and the orange Vayas.

When you mention the 'neck', if you mean the stem, that can be easily changed, and the LBS really should give you the option to swap that out at purchase. Either at no charge, or a very nominal charge. However, it seems as though you really like the Vaya anyway, pretty much as is, which is a great thing :) And if you find a stock seat that works for you, you're very fortunate, but it does happen. Nothing I did could make the stock seat on my Jake feel right, but I think maybe the one on my Streetracer is going to work out.

In any event, welcome to the wonderful world of CX bikes. As you seem to know, they are ideal for the uses you specified. Please let us know what you get, preferably with pics :)

Thanks for your input everyone! I had a professional bike fitting done today and both bikes were tested. It turns out that the Salsa Vaya had the best fit! We threw out the the stock saddle(after a sitbone measurement showed the saddle to be a really bad choice) and added interceptor brakes on the handlebars and after outfitting her with two red water bottle holders, lights and a speedometer, we were off! Maiden voyage went well but front disc brake is squealing a bit. Anyone know about this? I will probably take her back to the shop tomorrow and ask for help. I assume everything is just breaking in and getting seated and that minor adjustments will need to be made.

Maiden voyage went well but front disc brake is squealing a bit. Anyone know about this? I will probably take her back to the shop tomorrow and ask for help. I assume everything is just breaking in and getting seated and that minor adjustments will need to be made.


Common problem with the BB5 Disc brakes. Do a web search and you will find a host of cures. I got my front to quiet down, my rear never would, once it got dusty again riding off road; I up-graded to a BB7 in the rear.

BTW, the Vaya is a great choice for what you are doing...here's mine

263323

Common problem with the BB5 Disc brakes. Do a web search and you will find a host of cures. I got my front to quiet down, my rear never would, once it got dusty again riding off road; I up-graded to a BB7 in the rear.

BTW, the Vaya is a great choice for what you are doing...here's mine

263323
Is the rubbing bad for the brakes or just annoying? The directions on the website say to "break" the brakes in gently for the first couple 100 miles but I live in the canyons in Texas. There is no gentle braking here! :-)

P.S.! Cool bike Con! I love the orange color of the vaya 2! But, alas..vaya 3 was at my pricepoint and on closeout, so I took it instead. Now, I just need to learn how to manage the big hills on such a heavy bike. It is going to take some training I think. :-)

Is the rubbing bad for the brakes or just annoying? The directions on the website say to "break" the brakes in gently for the first couple 100 miles but I live in the canyons in Texas. There is no gentle braking here! :-)

As far as I know it is just annoying.

When you say "rubbing" are you talking about the quiet metallic scraping you hear as the wheels turn when you aren't applying the brakes? You also mentioned "squealing" which I took to me loud squealing while braking. The former is more-or-less a fact of life with the BB5's in my experience. In theory, you can get things adjusted perfectly to eliminate it, but I find that to be more trouble than it's worth. The squealing, on the other hand, is generally a symptom of dirty rotors as has been mentioned. For me, it comes back every time there's fresh rain after a few dry days.

With regard to the rubbing, I recently learned that with BB7's the pads move out very slightly when you first start to apply the brake and so the rubbing can be avoided by giving the barrel adjuster a couple of turns to pre-load the cable. I don't know if the same is true for BB5's or not but I'd say it's worth trying.