Vynce

I'm looking for a good bike to use for commuting to work. I used to ride to school on a BMX about 10 years ago and I haven't really ridden since. My primary goal is the fitness benefits, but saving money on gas is a nice side perk. I actually kinda miss riding around .

Here's all the important info:

• I'll be commuting in southern Kansas City (Olathe).
• Round trip is about 7mi.
• The whole commute is on relatively good roads.
• The terrain is generally quite flat with some low-grade hills. Elevation plot of my intended route from home to work is attached.
• I'm 6'-2" and about 230 lbs.
• I'm aiming to commute year-round. Sun, wind, rain, snow. If the weather is really bad, I might drive.
• Fenders and a rear rack are necessary.
• The tires/wheels need to be able to handle some roughness. The occasional hop onto/off a curb, etc.
• I can take my bike into my office at work and can store it in my apartment.
• It's often quite windy here, so I'm leaning towards drop bars over flat bars. I'd like to raise them up a bit though.
• I may use the bike for grocery shopping as well.
• I'd like to say price is no object, but anything over ~$1000 would take some pretty serious convincing . Although I'm more interested in value than overall price.

I've spent about two weeks so far reading through many of the posts in this forum and have some ideas on bike choices, but I wanted to see what you pros thought. I'm not opposed to buying a used bike, but it seems like it would be difficult finding a bike on Craig's List that fits well without knowing in advance what size frame I'd be most comfortable with. I'd rather buy a bike from a LBS. There's also no REI anywhere near here, so those bikes are probably out of the question. I'm aiming more for a cyclocross bike than a hybrid. I haven't been to any of my LBSs yet to test ride some bikes -- I need to do that soon.

I'm totally hooked on the Surly Cross-Check at the moment -- I really like its versatility. It's not exactly cheap though, and I'm wondering if it's perhaps a bit overkill for my relatively short commute. On the other hand, I'm more likely to ride a nice bike... and if it was expensive, even more so.

A Nexus IGH sounds pretty useful, especially for winter. I have some concerns about the reliability and cost, though -- especially as an after-market part where a custom wheel would need to be built. Alternatively, I could possibly switch to a single-speed gearing system for the winter to reduce wear and tear (+1 Cross-Check ).

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so minor maintenance will not be an issue. I really don't like doing more complicated things on bikes though, like adjusting cup & cone bearing tension -- maybe because I never had the right tools (?).

Some bikes that I've seen recommended frequently are:

• Kona Smoke 2-9
• Kona Dew
• Kona Jake
• Jamis Coda Series
• Trek FX Series
• Trek 7000 Series
• Marin Muirwoods
• Breezer Town Series

Most of these don't have drop bars though. Any others that I'm missing? Any other good bikes with drop bars? Can you even get good cyclocross, drop bar bikes for less than ~$800? If not, then I think that pretty much seals the deal on the Cross-Check . Then again, if I remove the drop bar requirement, there are almost too many bikes to choose from.

pasopia

I'd go with the cross check. You could also check out the Bianchi Volpe, its similar. It has sti shifters though, and I prefer bar ends, which the cross check has.
Its not overkill if you can afford it

HoustonGal

I'm no help, since I just bought one. It was a semi-custom build by my LBS, so it has STI. It's a great bike. I did raise the handlebars to be level with the saddle (and I'll admit it is extremely Fred-ish with the big old extender on there) but the bike is still nimble and a blast to ride. I run 700 x 32 Panaracer tires, FWIW.

balindamood

It sounds like you want/need a cross-check.

One question since you mentioned winter riding. Studs in the snow? I lived there for two years and I think you can get along fine without them.

If the answer is 'snow is not a problem', then I would consider a touring bike. Both Novara (Randondee) and Fuji make touring bikes in the $900 range with racks, but without fenders (these can be added for about $30-40 in parts). I am sure there are others. You can get 35mm Nokian studs on these, but they are not as good as thier MTB tires.

You may consider trying to find a used touring bike for less $$.

climbhoser

Lots of this type of bike out right now:

-Pake C'muter
-Soma DoubleCross
-Bianchi Volpe
-Surly Cross Check
-Masi Special CX

Just to name a few...

Good types of bikes, and they can get it done. What's the difference? Usually the fit and the ecoutrements.

I've found that the Pake will fit me best, and am going to sell my Cross Check to buy one (I think...I've been hovering over this for a while). Soma Double Cross is almost the same dimensions, but a shorter headtube so you either have to spacer more or get a bigger size, which for me means too long a top tube.

Other thing, Soma Double Cross does NOT have horizontal dropouts. Neither does the Volpe.

Why are they important? If you want to run an IGH it sure is nice. However, I recommed you look at single speed for the winter. Olathe isn't the hilliest place and you would be real happy with the simplicity of a SS.

I think you're looking in the right direction. Other nice thing about these bikes is they take wide tires. All of 'em will take wide enough tires.

The Masi, Surly and Bianchi come built, so you don't have to deal with component picking and inevitably higher costs.

If the Masi came as a frameset I would be getting it over all the others.

Oh yeah, if you find the older Volpes and the current Pake C'Muter then you get lowrider braze ons. Not for everybody, but I like to do light weekender tours, and I like a balance load. Nice to have lowrider racks.

This is the future of cycling, IMHO, in America. With gas prices rising, and an infrastructure built on automobiles we have more people turning to bikes, but facing longer commutes than you see in Yurp. I think the 'cross/light tourer is the sport SUV (Think Porsche Cayenne or, heck, even Subaru Outback) of the bike world and it fits most 'mericans needs.

Good luck, and godspeed.

Oh yeah, and a great way to spend time is at www.bikeforest.com

Check out the free applet for BikeCAD and figger out which bikes make a difference and where

stevage

Can't help you not buy it. Bought a Specialized Tricross, pretty similar idea, and I just love it. The versatility you refer to is the killer. City, country, dirt, road, whatever. I wasn't convinced by the drop bars at first, but now I don't think I'd ever go back. They're just great for hand positions, and I really do get down into the drops any time I have a long stretch of straight road. And I really like the extra brake levers that presumably the Cross Check has too. The Kona Jake seems like another very similar bike to me. I test rode one, and it was fine, except as set up it had massive ridiculous fork shudder. And it was a hideous colour

I was originally going to spend $600 AUD. I spent $1800 AUD. And I've never been happier with a purchase. Girlfriend not so happy that she has to organise her own transport a lot more these days

Steve

acapybara

first off I can't hear the name 'Olathe' without hearing that dang car dealer ad from the mid 90's in my head. "come see us in Ooo-ooo-lathe!" Anyway...

I definitely love my crosscheck. Lots of people will extoll its virtues so let me point out the few negatives that I see. You have a ton of great options if you're looking at cyclocross bikes - you really can't go wrong. You'll love whatever you get.

- The versatility thing is kind of overhyped. Yes, you can build the bike into innumerable configurations (and I have) but in practice most people aren't going to rebuild the bike constantly.
- It's a tough frame but definitely heavy, esp with loaded panniers. Now and then I do wish it was aluminum!
- The stock components are all pretty mediocre. Brakes are poor and the brake cabling is odd. The flare on the handlebar drops feels weird to me (used to standard bars) and I never use the drops on my 5 mi commute (do like to ride the hoods though).
- Not a bombproof wheelset by any means. I need to replace my rear wheel already, won't stay in true for anything.
good luck

climbhoser

In the 5 months I've had mine I have had it built as a single speed, flat bar bike...I put knobbies on it and went for a singletrack ride...I put drops on it...I put gears on it, and ride it 1x8...and go back to SS on weekends because I have DT shifters that are a snap to put on and off. It has seen many incarnations, and is SS all winter. For me the versatility of simply going SS and geared is what I wanted, without having to use an Eccentric BB.


I never wish this. Steel feels great, and it feels light enough. I keep up with my roadie buddies pretty easily on it (I ride every day, they ride on weekends only). It's a tough commuter, and it does what it needs to do.

All the more reason to build it up yourself. This is what I did and I'm very pleased. Buying a built bike is easy and cheaper, inevitably, but I get lots of joy from tinkering (almost more than riding ) so I was happy t o do it myself. You can get the tools you need for about $60, and you can do some justice by building yourself. I have Ultegra/Open Pros, V-brakes (and drop V levers), a Thomson (just pure indulgence), a Brooks and, though older, an impeccable XTR rear derailleur. I got my bike built like this for less than an off the shelf CrossCheck, but I did buy my frameset used.

Check this whole bike category out, decide the things you want and the way you want to go with it, and hop on it. You won't regret it.

dobber

I can't think of a single reason not to get the Cross-Check. I've got two, one built up as a fixed gear, the other for Commu-touring.

I had thoughts of a third one built strictly for off-road and trails, but I found my fixed gear iteration handles most of that already.

DataJunkie

At 7 miles RT I would get something relatively cheap to determine if I enjoyed riding.
If so, a crosscheck would be a good choice.

TRUMPHENT

The only argument I have against the CrossCheck is that it is steel. This is because, in my case, the bike has to be all weather tolerant. I can't bring it inside at work and it rains like crazy during the summer. I have ridden to and from work in the rain.

Winter in colder climates bring on road salt plus water. Steel doesn't like that.

The frame material is the only issue I have with the Surly for a commuter. I hate seeing corrosion on a major component like a bicycle frame.

acapybara

interesting setup dobber, I like it. What tires do you run?

O-Town

I may be stating the obvious here but...If your 1000 dollar price point includes other gear you will need you will go WAY over your budget.

Your going to need:
lights
fenders
rack and panniers (or something else to carry your stuff)
cold weather clothes
yada yada yada

rlrct

I went with a Trek XO1. That bike alone is around $1300 from my LBS, but it's an aluminum frame and carbon fork. Quite a comfortable ride.

I also agree with O-Town's comment about the bike alone not being the end of it. I'm commuting in an area (into Hartford, CT) where folks aren't used to seeing cyclocommuters. I need good lights because I'm riding early (typically leave my house ~5:00-5:15AM) and parts of my commute take me through through cornfields where the road has no streetlights. I invested in good, hi-vis clothing and reflective outerwear. Upgraded tires to armadillos, bought a second set of wheels so I can easily put the snow tires on and I'm easily over $2K.

climbhoser

I've definitely spent more on accessories than the bike itself. Good lights, reflective and warm clothing, good shoes, rack, panniers, helmet, gloves, pump, tools....the list could go on and on. My bike wasn't actually all that expensive, but the accessories have been!

bokes

I used to ride a CC. For my height, I have long legs and a short torso/arms, and also i have a bad back so i need my bars to be the same height as the saddle. The CC has a short head tube, so I had to use 75mm of spacers to get my ideal handlebar height. It looked silly!
But other than my fit issues, I liked the handling and it's versatility. Good frame.

knobster

Convince you to not get a cross check..... Ok..

They will rust, because it is steel.
The frame is very fragile and will break.
Cyclocross bikes are a fad. You'll wish you didn't have it next year.
It weighs too much.
People make fun of others riding Surly bikes.
It's too slow.
Over priced.
Your mother won't love you anymore.
Your wife/girlfriend will leave you.
Oh, and it's ugly.

Hope this helps.

(please remember this is a joke.)

Edit: In all seriousness, for commuting you can't get a better frame to build around. I don't own one, but I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I needed another bike for commuting.

Phantoj

Raleigh Sojourn looks like a pretty cool bike, don't know what the price is. Discs are great in rain, and I guess probably snow, don't know how much of that stuff you'll be riding in. I had discs in Seattle, they were great, but probably not a big deal either way in MO. (I'm in StL)



My personal approach in your situation would be to buy a used aluminum (Cannondale?) cyclocross bike off of Ebay and stick a rack and fenders on it. But that's just becuase I'd prefer a bike that weighs a lot less.

knobster

Not bad for the price. I think they run close to $1000. Depending on your commute, the weight wouldn't matter. I'm moving soon and the house is 21 miles away but the commute is pancake flat. I'll be using my 1987 Bianchi Grizzly commuter convert for it. Talk about heavy.

georgiaboy

Thats what someone at a LBS said when I mentioned I was buying a Crosscheck. I got a little upset and decided to buy mine on-line, after that.

When you reach a point in commuter cycling where you are over the frills and want functionality is when the Crosscheck becomes something of value.

Banzai

Some legitimate reasons why not...(just trying...I think it's a great bike and I almost got one for myself)

1) I prefer vertical dropouts. With a derailer drivetrain it makes the most sense, and you'll likely run a derailer drivetrain when all is said and done.

2) Check out the options for mounting Nexus shifters on a drop bar. Not many, and I hate those little twist shifters anyway.

3) Find a bike with a Nexus, and offer to change the rear tube. See how much fun that is.

4) Cross check has no disc mounts. All non-combatants should exit this thread now, as it is about to become a disc brake flame war.

Tabor

The only reason I could think of not to get the Surly Cross Check is because it would be overkill for a 7mi round trip commute. But if you want one, and you have the money, I see no reason not to get it. With a nice bike like that you will find youself riding places other than work with it.

ragboy

Have had my Cross Check 2 years now for city commuting. Great bike all around.

That said, what you need to consider is your funds -- buying a Cross Check and all the commuting accessories will run you probably in the $1,200 range, though you don't need all the accessories at once. If you can swing it, go for it.

If you can't afford it, go the used route -- you can get a decent commuter bike (like an old Schwinn road bike with fatter tires like 28s) and all accessories for much less.

Another thing to consider -- you'll probably find that if you have a nice bike like the Cross Check, you'll do more riding than just your work commute, which is a pretty good incentive, I'd say

good luck.

nowheels

I had one.... it was ok but I found that I could live without it. I could never get it dialed in properly. I wnet bak to more of a sport utility type of frame (Steel also) with a light tubus fly rack. I can sqeeze 700/28's onto them so it is not that bad.

CliftonGK1

I was getting really steamed, until I got to "Your mother won't love you anymore" and realized it was a joke. Now I can't stop laughing about it.

I loves me my heavy, slow, fragile, overpriced fad-bike that made my fiancee leave me. (She took the dog and went to live with my Mom, since now they have the whole "not loving me anymore" thing in common.)