Joetheyido

Hello im looking at getting and new bike, one that can do everything so have been looking at the surly bikes, mainly cross check, straggler or trucker. I want to be able to commute 5-6 miles a day with the ability to carry panniers if needed, to be able to ride gravel paths, eventually it might get used for a baby seat of some kind of it's possible on surly bikes and possibly to travel with some light fishing gear. I have a steel fixed gear bike and a road bike so doesn't need to be able to switch as I first looked at cross check to be able to make it single or fixed but it's not that important. Im not to bothered about disc brakes. Cheers
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blakcloud

The three bikes you listed can do everything you want a bike to do so I can see why this is a difficult choice. The one bike I would eliminate is the Cross Check. The reason is it has a high bottom bracket because of its lineage in the cyclocross world. Now maybe you won't mind since your fixed gear will also have a high bottom bracket so you don't hit a pedal in cornering. Personally, I don't like high bottom brackets because it makes the bike harder to get on and off and typically a lower bottom bracket makes a bike more stable. For commuting I would want a bike that is easy on and easy off.

The Trucker would be the second bike I would eliminate as it just wouldn't be sporty enough because of the increased wheelbase. Have a look at the bike wheel in relation to the seat tube. Now if you don't want sporty then it would be a fine choice. I wouldn't get the 26" wheel version but the 700C.

The last bike, the Straggler, I think is a good choice. Sportier geometry lower bottom bracket makes it a great all rounder. Depending on your height would determine if the 650b or 700c wheels would be a better choice. There is certainly more choices in tires with the 700's and it certainly looks better on the bigger bikes.

Again, they are all good choices, you just have to determine what characteristics you would like in a bike and choice the one that works for you.

Joetheyido

Thank you for good reply.
im only 5' 7 on a good day so would probly mean smaller wheels. What's the difference between the 2, is it just smaller size?


I have read alot about the straggler and most racks not fitting due to the disc brakes?

blakcloud

If you went the Straggler route you would most likely be on a 52 cm so at this size of frame it only comes with 650b. The larger 700c starts at 54 cm and goes up.

The difference between wheel sizes is six of one and half dozen the other. They both have the their own qualities. There are more choices for tires in 700 and therefore better pricing. The bike comes with 41 mm tires which is pretty wide to most people. Personally I find that a great width. It smooths out rough roads and you can be less diligent around potholes and road imperfections. Again, just on my personal preference, a 52 cm bikes looks more proportional with 650.

I can't answer about the racks and this bike but I suspect that something works as the bike is designed for light touring. The rear brake caliper placement is not my favorite. I like the disc caliper to be inside the rear triangle out of the way but for what ever reason Surly designed it this way.

Good luck on what ever you decide.

Joetheyido

Thanks for all the info. I will pop to bike shop to test a few once this lockdown allows me to.

J.C. Koto

I'm 5'8" and have a 52cm LHT with 26in wheels, completely love everything about it. Specifically got this bike over other touring-type bikes due to being designed for smaller wheels. The Straggler also looks like a great bike but it didn't exist when I got the LHT.

hillyman

No way I could pick one Surly. I want to take them all home. That's why I don't go into any bike shop that stocks them