Commuter Bicycle Pics
#9476
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 50
Bikes: Surly Cross Check
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Still trying to get everything set-up, but here's my new commuter - stock Surly Cross Check I picked up on clearance:
#9478
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 19
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Like.... how about LOVE. I bought the frame and then picked every component to meet my needs/wants/looks and hand built the wheels.
I do all types of riding, but this bike will be used for commuting/touring
What do I NOT like about it... I'd rather it be 520 steel than 4130 chromo
I was also considering the Cross Check as my friend just built one about a month ago. I can say first hand that the Salsa has better paint,welds,geometry,and it's way better looking than either of the color choices for the Cross Check.
I do all types of riding, but this bike will be used for commuting/touring
What do I NOT like about it... I'd rather it be 520 steel than 4130 chromo
I was also considering the Cross Check as my friend just built one about a month ago. I can say first hand that the Salsa has better paint,welds,geometry,and it's way better looking than either of the color choices for the Cross Check.
Thanks for responding. I've been leaning toward the Salsa and your praise is good to hear. But without a test ride I'm hesitant to make that commitment. Also, I'd need a 50 or 52 frame, unfortunately, or I probably would take the risk on the Salsa at that price.
Thanks again. Cheers.
#9479
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Thanks QStorm, but a 59 is way too big for me. I'm still hoping to find one to test ride, but may decide to take the risk on it anyway. Cheers.
#9481
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 50
Bikes: Surly Cross Check
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I really like it. I tried out a Bianchi Volpe that I liked better, but I tried the Cross Check and liked it to and pulled the trigger when I found out it was on sale ($960). My only complaint about the Cross Check, and my understanding is this is pretty common with cyclocross bikes, is the bar-end shifters, but I'm sure I'll get used to them the more I ride it. It's a serious improvement over the Trek 4300 I was riding.
#9482
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the nexus hub though has really been trouble free I have only had to adjust it twice which took maybe 30 secs, Flat tires do take alittle longer and the 1st time you do it is really confusing, the 8 speeds are more than enough for me, I am impressed with the range of gears they were able to cram in there, the 8th gear is insanely tall and I have used it only a handful of times, the 1st gear is super low and I do find myself using it a lot. the ability to just hop on and go and not worry about it was it biggest draw as the more complicated it is for me to ride a bike the less I actually ride it
#9483
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Iowa
Posts: 502
Bikes: surly cross check
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I really like it. I tried out a Bianchi Volpe that I liked better, but I tried the Cross Check and liked it to and pulled the trigger when I found out it was on sale ($960). My only complaint about the Cross Check, and my understanding is this is pretty common with cyclocross bikes, is the bar-end shifters, but I'm sure I'll get used to them the more I ride it. It's a serious improvement over the Trek 4300 I was riding.
In the winter, I have found it necessary to switch the rear shifter into friction mode because of poor operating conditions which is easy to do on the fly.
Also, I had a crash several weeks ago that sent me over the bars (I walked away unhurt because of heavy winter clothes and a helmet), and I mangled one of the brake levers. With brifters, this would be a pretty serious issue, but I was able to cobble it back together long enough to ride home and then replace it on the cheap.
#9484
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 68
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#9486
This bike is cat approved
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 1,531
Bikes: To many to list...
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The bike itself is wonderful excellent build quality, ability to fit huge tires, has threaded holes for racks/fenders/baskets, brakes are just decent, would have liked discs or the nexus with the rear coaster brake, it is heavy when compared to a road bike but as far as commuters go its probably somewhere in the middle but it does have some nice beefy components with all look like they can taking a beating, the paint is beautiful with lots of fine mica flake overall for 450$ I think its a good value and way better than the mtb I was using
the nexus hub though has really been trouble free I have only had to adjust it twice which took maybe 30 secs, Flat tires do take alittle longer and the 1st time you do it is really confusing, the 8 speeds are more than enough for me, I am impressed with the range of gears they were able to cram in there, the 8th gear is insanely tall and I have used it only a handful of times, the 1st gear is super low and I do find myself using it a lot. the ability to just hop on and go and not worry about it was it biggest draw as the more complicated it is for me to ride a bike the less I actually ride it
the nexus hub though has really been trouble free I have only had to adjust it twice which took maybe 30 secs, Flat tires do take alittle longer and the 1st time you do it is really confusing, the 8 speeds are more than enough for me, I am impressed with the range of gears they were able to cram in there, the 8th gear is insanely tall and I have used it only a handful of times, the 1st gear is super low and I do find myself using it a lot. the ability to just hop on and go and not worry about it was it biggest draw as the more complicated it is for me to ride a bike the less I actually ride it
#9487
Senior Member
I just built this bike up. Twas my first bike build!
plans for the bike:
to put on 3M Orange reflective tape on the frame
install my old planet bike cascadia fenders
install my topeak rack
install theft resistant bolts (seatpost/seat/headset/stem/brifters/ect ect)
I've got my old lights, bell, and NYC Kryptonite lock for it too. This will be my commuter/errand/city bike.
plans for the bike:
to put on 3M Orange reflective tape on the frame
install my old planet bike cascadia fenders
install my topeak rack
install theft resistant bolts (seatpost/seat/headset/stem/brifters/ect ect)
I've got my old lights, bell, and NYC Kryptonite lock for it too. This will be my commuter/errand/city bike.
#9488
Ride On.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 315
Bikes: 2010 Trek 1.5, 2010 Specialized Langster, 2010 Specialized Hardrock Sport 29er, 2011 Gary Fisher HiFi Plus 29er
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Here is my fresh errand runner. Just picked it up yesterday. It is really comfortable. I just need either bar ends or an adjustable stem (or both) and it will be perfect.
#9489
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bremen, Germany
Posts: 365
Bikes: Poison Chinin IGH
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I just built this bike up. Twas my first bike build!
#9491
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 75
Bikes: Too many to list here
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My commuter setup: Marin Novato 29er
My Marin Novato 29er: Best commuter setup i could fathom in my mind
In all its glory, headlight is niterider 350, bunch of rear blinkies, rack is topeak explorer disk
In all its glory, headlight is niterider 350, bunch of rear blinkies, rack is topeak explorer disk
Last edited by cjewett65; 04-05-12 at 03:23 PM. Reason: pics wouldnt show up
#9492
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 53
Bikes: 2014 Jamis Nova Sport
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Sorry about the last blank post. I tried deleting but for some reason it hasn't.
Anyway I've had this bike for almost a month now. I have no car so I commute to work instead of taking the bus. I love the bike and the only thing I've notices is that the shifters tend to skip every now and then. This is probably something I'll upgrade later on.
#9496
Ride On.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 315
Bikes: 2010 Trek 1.5, 2010 Specialized Langster, 2010 Specialized Hardrock Sport 29er, 2011 Gary Fisher HiFi Plus 29er
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#9497
Senior Member
#9498
Senior Member
I had to go to my LBS and have them align it for me... I may have built up the bike but still don't have derailleur hanger alignment, and headset tools yet.
#9499
always rides with luggage
thanks! after taking this pic there was a gust of wind and it promptly fell over and I bent the derailleur hanger.
I had to go to my LBS and have them align it for me... I may have built up the bike but still don't have derailleur hanger alignment, and headset tools yet.
I had to go to my LBS and have them align it for me... I may have built up the bike but still don't have derailleur hanger alignment, and headset tools yet.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7