LucasA

So after some research I decided I want to build up a Surly Cross Check into like the ultimate utilitarian bike. Mainly it will be used for commuting, however I would love to use it to tour and do some trail riding...pretty much in that order. I was wondering what kind of components you all might recommend for a bike like this? Also, if I am going to go higher quality on things, what components should I? What could I go mid range on? How many speeds?

I am interested in everyones opinion for making this ultimate middle of the road bike

grinningfool

Nashbar has Ultegra 10 spd. brifters for $150, that would be a good start. Bike Island has Brooks B17 in honey for $69 shipped. Just a couple suggestions.

pwdeegan

well, the ultimate bike is the bike you ultimately (want to) ride (and can afford). and in my case, i went with mid-range-ish components. In my case, Ultegra brifters (they were NOS, i would have settled fro 105s or some such), a heavy duty no-nonsense Sugino single crank with a stainless steel single 40t chainring, a fairly inexpensive Sram 9-speed cassette (11-34, $30ish?), and a cheap Deore LX derailleur, with a pretty simple 9-speed chain (i prefer pins to master links)---i have had zero trouble with my set-up over the last 2k miles, and no trouble climbing steep hills pulling a load, to cruising light-weight with my buddies on their carbon bike during the weekends. I bought mid-range wheels (Salsa disc rims on XT hubs) with nice tyres (Conti 28mm 4-seasons in the summer; Nokians in the winter) that seemed both fairly bomb-proof but not so overbuilt that i'd feel like i was dragging---good tyres make a difference to me, since they keep your bike stuck to the road. Lastly, i have disc brakes, so that seemed like a place to spend a little extra (it seems only Avid make an easy road brifter-capable disc brake, and i got some nice compressionless brake cable). Oh, and the saddle: love my Brooks.

I've found i can pull loads in my trailer just fine in-town comfort (45-70#), and zip right along during my rolling hill centuries (thinking about more in the summer is making me teary eyed).

Good luck on your set up. Mix and match to your success!

martianone

IMHO an "ultimate utilitarian bike" is a 1x9 set up with a 11-32 or 34 cassette and depending upon your riding conditions a 34-39 t chain ring. Suggest focusing $$ resources on three elements. Getting a perfect fit, high quality wheels and tires. LX/105/x.7 level components seem to provide the best value. Seal the inside of your frame with Boesheild or FrameSaver.
ps- rode my 1x9 CrossCheck several thousand km- commuting, pleasure riding and some light touring.
it has sadly now morphed into my teenager's campus bike.

Schwinnrider

IMHO an "ultimate utilitarian bike" has 26 inch wheels. It's already been made. Twice. Not the Surly Long Haul Trucker. No, it's the Bridgestone XO-1 and XO-2.

nubcake

I am building up a bike to do something fairly similar to what your looking for.

My build which I am very happy with is gunnar crosshairs frame/fork (steel crossy), sram force drivetrain, paul brakes, 36h king/open pro wheelset

Things I would focus on are fit, wheel quality, and a drivetrain you like. Personally I feel the sram stuff is one of the nicest drivetrains avalible but in all honest they are all really good if you take care of them and it really comes down to preference as to which is better.

fuzz2050

If you want utility, go with an IGH. If you want to do short tours, just make sure it's geared low. In my opinion as a tourist, and as a trail rider, the number of gears you have isn't so much of an issue as the selection. On my last tour, my rear derailer busted, leaving me with 3 gears (3 front chainrings) , coming in at 65 58 and 35 gear inches. I actually didn't bother to fix it because I was fine. I was able to haul my loaded self up a few nice long dirt climbs, and so what if I had to coast on the decent.

An IGH also allows you to ride with a chainguard, x2 for utility.

Brifters are a touchy subject, mainly comes down to taste and wallet size, but I'd try bar end shifters first.

Wheel quality is key, don't skimp on spoke count or build quality.

modernjess

I did it few years ago. But I have no idea how to tell you how to. Mostly because your definition of ultimate is certainly going to differ from mine.

My ultimate Cross Check is a singe speed, chris king, thomson post and stem, brooks saddle, avid brakes. Tubus rack. 2 sets of wheels, bars and break levers. Ultegra crankset, Shimano SPD's, Surly hubs, mavic rims. Ultra gatorskins and Nokian W106's. None of this stuff ever breaks, it works flawlessly day after day afer day after day. The bike fits me perfectly, it's a pleasure to ride and easy to maintain. Over 6000 miles later and it's still my ulimate.

Think it through, look for deals, buy the best you can aford and ride the crap out of it. Best of luck!

LucasA

I guess I am looking for recommendations on components and important things to focus on for as much of a cross purpose bike as possible.

If I want to go higher quality on some parts, but midrange on others, what would be the ones I would? It seems like wheels are overwhelmingly paramount to most people, as well as fit, so thats good.

LucasA

Cool, where do I get one?

Schwinnrider

That's the problem. They were discontinued in the 90s. I bought my XO-2 on Craigslist, but they show up on eBay frequently. XO-1s are ridiculously expensive, as they're a "cult" bike. But I paid $400 for my XO-2, and I can say I like it best of all my bikes, even my Gunnar.

flipped4bikes

Retrogrouches, UNITE!

dynaryder

Nope,Novara Safari. Trekking bar + adj stem for dialing in perfect riding position,3x9 wide gear range,all-weather discs,rear rack and will take front,easy fender mounting,wide tire range,built super tough. Mine's prolly got something like 7-8k miles on it and has been a daily,all-weather commuter,grocery hauler,and even a polo bike. Zero probs,stone axe reliable,barely even any corrosion.

dewaday

Here's my build list for the perfect do everything CrossCheck within a reasonable budget. Big miss were the bars, shoulda sprung for the Salsa's. Big hit was the wheels, bomb proof.

Frame: Surly Cross-Check Dark Pearl Green 56cm 4130 Chromoly
Fork: Surly Cross-Check
Crankset: Shimano 105 52/42/30
Pedals: Shimano PD-M520 Black
Bottom Bracket: Shimano 105
Front Derailleur: Shimano R443
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Cassette: SRAM PG-950 11-27
Chain: SRAM PC-951
Shift/Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra ST-4500
Brakes: Tektro Oryx Cantilever Black
Saddle: Brooks B-17
Seatpost: Salsa Shaft
Headset: Cane Creek S-3
Stem: Salsa Stiff Upper Lip
Handlebar: Ritchey Biomax 44cm
Grips Tape: Avenir Gel Cork Black
Rims: Salsa Delgado Cross 32-hole Black
Hubs: Shimano Deore Black
Spokes: DT Swiss 14-gauge Stainless Steel Silver
Tires: Panaracer Pasela TG
Fenders: Planet Bike Hardcore

Schwinnrider

I don't see why the OP would need a 10 speed wheel or brifters on a utilitarian/trail/touring bike. The 10 speed wheel is weaker by nature, cassettes are more expensive to replace, and brifters are not a typical choice. 9 speed cassettes are cheap, and he can buy Dura Ace barcons (which are bulletproof) for a lot less than brifters.

Schwinnrider

My quill stem is easily adjustable, but how many times does one need to adjust it?

Steel is real. :-)

The discs are cool though. Shame it's made from aluminium.

ews

I built my dream Crosscheck this Summer. Switched out the fork for one with disc mounts so I can run a front disc brake (which has been nice in the winter). Shimano 105 groupset. Brooks B-17 narrow (brown). Mavic open pro wheelset. Panaracer t-serv 25mm tires (running 32mm in winter). Basic spd pedals. I let the LBS pick out all the other stuff to maintain SOME price sanity (i.e., headset, stem, seatpost, handlebars, spokes, hubs). Cost me about $1750.

This bike rules.

LucasA

I will keep an eye out, since I do like 26". I have a little time before I start building, so thats cool. I do like the idea of building it up from the ground however.

dynaryder

Safari rides just fine. And it,and 3 other alum frame bikes,survived polo with no issues. I had a Kona Sutra for a short time but sold it because it didn't do anything my Safari couldn't,and didn't ride any better.

gldnedge

I recently completed my ultimate "middle of the road" bike.



Nothing fancy, just a good group of quality components.

Aaron

j3ns

Nice!
Congratulations

hrtmnstrfr

I rock a Cross check as well. Mine is set up with 2x8 gearing, 11-30 and 36/46. I have an On One Mary bar, sks touring pedals, portuer rack, fenders, brooks b-17, paul thumbies holding ultegra 8-speed bar end shifters. I just built my wheelset; the rims are sun rhyno lites laced to xt hubs. 36 14 gauge spokes front and rear. As for tires, I use some 700x40c slicks.

Cue

What kind of crankset? It looks pretty good. I see 2 P7 flashlights, how are those working out for you?

zzyzx_xyzzy

How so? It's the same amount of dish as 9 speed, and 8 speed for that matter. You have to go back to 7 before there's any difference in the wheel.

I'd go with a 9sp personally, but mainly because 10sp is not available in wide ranges. I think the ultimate 10sp cassette would be an 11-38.

pass the peas

I just took delivery of a "factory built" 09 crosscheck. I substituted Nitto Mod. 177 "noodle" bars, Salsa SUL and a brooks b17 in place of the stock stuff. I've fitted SKS P45 fenders and I'm trying to decide which model Tubus rack to put on. The stock build is completely adequate for my use. The finish on the Tiagra rear derailleur's steel cages is so nice, I thought they were aluminum at first. The finish on the crankset leaves a little to be desired, but the chainrings look good. Deore hubs, 9 spd Dura Ace bar end shifters. It's about what I would have built anyway and cheaper and I won't feel too bad if it gets scratched.
Edit: Tires are not what I would have chosen, but they're serviceable. The tacky looking rim stickers are kind of embarrassing (unless you're into that stuff), but easily enough removed.
Edit edit: The crankset can be converted to a triple with the addition of another ring and a different width bb.