mn_cycle

Hi all,

I'm thinking of investing in my first new bike in 10 years, and am trying to decide amongst the plethora of seemingly good bikes out there. Primarily, I'm looking for a bike that is fast and fun to ride for evening joy rides, can get me and my laptop back and forth to work (8 miles each way, often with quite a few potholes) for occasional commuting, and that I could take on a touring ride (something like RAGBRAI and not an unsupported ride). I'll mostly be riding on pavement, but it might be nice to be able to handle crushed limestone on some "rails to trails". I'm upgrading from an old mountain bike, which I may or may not sell.

Several cyclists I know have told me that steel is great for urban riding, so I've mainly been looking at some steel road/cyclocross bikes. I tried riding the Surly Cross Check, which felt great to ride even though the frame was a touch large (I rode the LHT and the Salsa Casseroll as well, both of which I liked but seemed to lack the zip of the CC). I'm also interested in the Pacer, but haven't tracked down a shop to ride it at yet. Any other suggestions for reasonably-priced bikes to look at? Am I on the right track? I'd like to not spend any more than $1200.

Thanks for the help!

perspiration

i don't even have to read the post; based off your title, you NEED a cross check

the frame being too large isn't a problem, just get a size down

Schwinnrider

Yes, it's looking like the Cross Check is your bike. I have a Pacer, and it's a nice bike----but it's really more a road bike. I don't think it would be great off-road. What you really need is a Bridgestone XO-1 or XO-2, but they're no longer in production and are rare as hen's teeth. Go for the Cross Check.

Oil_LOL

Cross Check is probably your best bet. Also see if your LBS has a Salsa Vaya, those are nice, pretty similar, and will (kinda) make you stand out from the rest of the Commuting boards... the Pacer is nice, but isn't really as versatile as the Cross Check. What other brands does your LBS carry?

tarwheel 

I've got a Casseroll and love it. Don't know what you mean about the lack of "zip," but it may be because of the tires and components on the one you rode. My Casseroll was built with a mix of Ultegra/Campy components, Open Pro wheels. I deliberately tried to keep the weight down, by leaving off the front rack, installing lighter tires, plastic fenders and a large seat bag rather than panniers and rear rack. Don't underestimate the effect of tires. The stock Panaracer Paselas 32s that they put on the Casseroll are nice durable tires but roll slowly and are much heavier than some folding bead 25s or 28s.

hairlessbill

I use my Crosscheck for commuting, long weekend rides, off-road riding, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a long tour. It's the most versatile bike in the garage. I've had it fully decked out with fenders, racks, panniers and I can strip it down to a singlespeed if need be. You can set it up with cantis, v-brakes, or sidepulls. Lots of clearance for fat tires. It's a tough bike though a tad heavy but that is the trade-off at its price. I've had mine almost five years and have no regrets.

I agree that the wheels and tires make a bigger difference in the quality of the ride versus frame material. Whatever bike you choose, get the best wheels and tires you can afford.

The Soma Double Cross is a very similar frame too though it is lacking the horizontal dropouts for singlespeed/fixed configuration.

SurlyLaika

the Soma DC is only sold as a frame set, though, right?


I also own a CC. I got it for pretty much the same reasons you're thinking of and I like it.

But have you thought about other similar bikes? Specialized Tricross, Bianchi Volpe, Salsa Vaya, etc. Also, I think my CC is just the right size but in retrospect maybee I should have gone for a size smaller, not a huge deal...but I would at least test ride the size below and above what you're thinking.

JohnJ80

There are a bunch of bikes in that category and in that price range. Do a google and you'll see.

J.

jakevance

I think the default answer is:

If you've got $1000
And you want a steel cross bike
And you're not a professional cross racer

Get a Cross Check

JohnJ80

That's the lazy answer, not the default answer.

J.

Bob N.

Kona?

beebe

The older Jakes had steel forks with eyelets, and rear brazeons if I am remembering correctly. The newest versions don't have any appointments for racks. They're nice bikes if you can get the right year.

I think that the Crosscheck, Volpe, and the newest Casseroll sound like the best bets for steel. If you look around, you might be able to find faster aluminum bikes in your size online. There's a 2009 61cm Bianchi Axis going on ebay for $1000.

I ride a Crosscheck and it's pretty sweet, but it's also built on a nice wheelset with a nice drivetrain. Honestly, I've never ridden a stock complete, so YMMV.

jakevance

But also a correct one. Unless the OP has some other hidden requirements that weren't mentioned, a Cross Check would be perfect. So would a Kona Jake or a Masi CX. There are a handful of good, steel CX bikes, and they'd all fit the bill just fine.

JohnJ80

You contradict yourself - blue vs red.

Cross Check is the lazy answer as you have just demonstrated. There are a number of fine choices out there. The Cross Check is not the default answer - it is the lazy answer.

J.

SurlyLaika

I own a CC and I like it but I know there are other similar bikes for a similar price. A CC is good but don't limit your options by thinking it's the only bike to get.

JohnJ80

The CC is a good bike but this is a really dynamic market and a growth category. It's smart to look around because it's changing pretty quickly. I took a quick look at this about a week ago and found some really nice bikes with same or better component groups and comparable frames to the CC for same/similar money. There were also some 2010 bikes around which would probably be a great deal too.

J.

jakevance

I dont think I contradicted myself at all. My first choice would be a Cross Check (hence "default"). I'm just acknowledging that, yes, there are other options and I'm not being so pig-headed that I would ever imply that there aren't. My point is that, in my experience, a CC is very easy to find anywhere, it's priced well, and is more versatile than most other comparable bikes. That's all. Nothing lazy about it. If someone doesn't WANT a CC for some reason, then at that point I'm happy to point out a few similar bikes that differ from it a little bit, but those suggestions are going to depend on getting more detail about what someone wants from the bike and why they don't like the Cross Check.

Maybe I should have said it's "my" default answer. If you have a preference for a different similarly priced steel CX bike, I understand. I don't necessarily understand why it's "lazy" to suggest a bike that works well for everyone looking for a certain set of criteria.

jakevance

I'll agree with this. The 2010 Kona Jake is a great deal right noe if you can track one down. Nice conponents for the price, and it's a good looking bike.

vwhammer

The Vassago Fisticuff is another bike that fits your criteria perfectly.
You would have to build it from the frame up but that may also make it easier to pick components to get you right in your price range.

The Salsa Vaya is a good one but I think it's a bit on the heavy side.

yetsukeng

I'd look at steel Schwinn Peloton made between 1998-2000, these are very good bikes with very good components, they are fast, fun and ride very smooth. with proper tires and pressure they can do gravel and dirt roads if needed. And the best part they are usually go around $500-$600. so save some bucks and buy shoes/pedals and anything else you need to ride that bike

Pinkbullet3

As a college student (also in Minneapolis), the CC looks pretty affordable from my perspective. Just a few questions:

1. I've never ridden a dropbar before so I'm curious to know how bar-end shifters compare to STI. To me, STI seems more comfortable (but who am I to say that) for riding around campus. How much would it cost to get a conversion (knowing that CCs come stock with bar-ends)?

2. How easy is it to convert it to a SS? I was thinking if I get a CC, I could do a quick conversion come winter.

Thanks, and good luck to the original poster in finding a bike.

beebe

You can get as low as $160 or so for Tiagra or Apex brifters. You may have to buy new bar tape depending on how carefully you take it off. I think you can use the same cable and shorten the housing slightly, but I've never installed brifters before so don't hold me to it. Extra costs will be involved if you go to a shop.

You'll need to get a new rear wheel or rebuild the wheel with a single speed hub. Getting the chainline correct may be tricky depending on what width wheel you get and whether it lines up with the chainring well. If you want to switch back and forth you'll need to do something with the derailleur and cable while it's in SS mode.

Honestly, I don't see a compelling reason to convert the bike for winter. If the derailleur freezes, then you have a SS anyways. If it's that big of a deal, buy a cheap beater or pick up a fixie from one of the many people trying out the fad and deciding they don't like it.

canyoneagle

Another option:

https://www.masibikes.com/steel/speciale-cx/

Pinkbullet3

Ah, makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the reply.

mconlonx

Soma Smoothie ES w/ Apex build.