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Any Thoughts On Surly Cross-Check?

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Any Thoughts On Surly Cross-Check?

Old 05-10-13, 05:49 PM
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Any Thoughts On Surly Cross-Check?

I was talking to a tech at an REI location today and he was telling me about the hybrid bikes that the staff likes. He told me that the Cannondale line of Quick bikes seem to fly out of the store. But, he said a Surly Cross-Check REI carries is often popular with the customers. I know a little about Surly, but always think of their bikes as being heavy and built to carry a lot of weight. Does anyone have experience with this model? I know that it has drop bars and kis used for cycle cross, but I also was told it makes a good road bike with a hybrid side for light trails.
Thanks!
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Old 05-10-13, 06:20 PM
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I sort of doubt most people looking at hybrids are cross shopping them with cyclocross or touring bikes. I know Surly is a popular brand but nearly $1200 for a bike with bar-end shifters and Tiagra derailleurs is a bit expensive IMO. Cyclocross bikes are generally designed to be much better all purpose bikes than dedicated road bikes if you want a versatile drop bar bike that will fit wider tires. Bikesdirect has some better equipped steel bikes for a lot less money than the Cross Check.

Coincidentally I'm in the process of selling my flat-bar hybrid to buy a cyclocross bike or relaxed geometry road bike that will take a rack and wider tires to use for running errands. After putting so many miles on my road bike I'm finding myself missing the drop bars with brake hoods on my around town bike.
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Old 05-10-13, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Crankykentucky
I was talking to a tech at an REI location today and he was telling me about the hybrid bikes that the staff likes. He told me that the Cannondale line of Quick bikes seem to fly out of the store. But, he said a Surly Cross-Check REI carries is often popular with the customers. I know a little about Surly, but always think of their bikes as being heavy and built to carry a lot of weight. Does anyone have experience with this model? I know that it has drop bars and kis used for cycle cross, but I also was told it makes a good road bike with a hybrid side for light trails.
Thanks!
hi. look into a mid 90s used steel hybrid. save thousands. unless you want modern stuff like disk brakes, oversize + ahead steerers, and 135mm spacing, and theres nothing wrong with that if you do

old hybrids are going to be the next hip thing
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Old 05-10-13, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Dunbar
I sort of doubt most people looking at hybrids are cross shopping them with cyclocross or touring bikes. I know Surly is a popular brand but nearly $1200 for a bike with bar-end shifters and Tiagra derailleurs is a bit expensive IMO. Cyclocross bikes are generally designed to be much better all purpose bikes than dedicated road bikes if you want a versatile drop bar bike that will fit wider tires. Bikesdirect has some better equipped steel bikes for a lot less money than the Cross Check.

Coincidentally I'm in the process of selling my flat-bar hybrid to buy a cyclocross bike or relaxed geometry road bike that will take a rack and wider tires to use for running errands. After putting so many miles on my road bike I'm finding myself missing the drop bars with brake hoods on my around town bike.
This is good advice and I appreciate it. I am still enjoying the "chase" part of upgrading to another bike. I am not sure if the Surly is something I am ready to try since I looked at my first flatbar bike as blessing after growing up around drop bars.
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Old 05-10-13, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by DorkDisk
hi. look into a mid 90s used steel hybrid. save thousands. unless you want modern stuff like disk brakes, oversize + ahead steerers, and 135mm spacing, and theres nothing wrong with that if you do

old hybrids are going to be the next hip thing
Ok, I think I see where you are going with this. Some of the older Giants are more hybrid than mountain bike. I am still liking the newer Cannondales and Giant bikes I've tried. I have been surprised by what I have found at REI so far and kind of look at those stores as great reference points since the sales associates are no commission.
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Old 05-10-13, 07:37 PM
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look for a early 90s specialized crossroads. they are very common,cheap, and can be spread out for modern wheels

add tires, grips, saddle, stem, bars, new wheels if you desire

yeah new bikes are sexy but bicycles remain very basic mechanical devices. the old stuff works great
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Old 05-10-13, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Crankykentucky
I am not sure if the Surly is something I am ready to try since I looked at my first flatbar bike as blessing after growing up around drop bars.
If you aren't set on buying a brand name bike than check out Bikes Direct for inexpensive cyclocross bikes. As far as the drop bars of old keep in mind that modern drop bar bikes come in a variety of styles and geometries. If you buy the right frame for your proportions and desired position it's not hard to get one setup in a very upright position (if that's what you want.) Here in Los Angeles it's not unusual to see cyclists on drop bar bikes sitting nearly bolt upright. Another thing to remember is that you don't ever need to get down in the drops to benefit from the additional hand positions offered by drop bars (this is common misconception that many people have.)

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Old 05-10-13, 08:06 PM
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The Cross check is a really solid bike. I have a Soma double cross, which is a very similar bike, that I build up with bar ends and a grab bag of parts I had lying around. It is the best all around bike I have ever owned. If you want one bike that can do it all, this is a bike to consider.
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Old 05-11-13, 09:46 AM
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Make sure you ride it, that's all. The CC and LHT both seem like tough and versatile bikes, I just found them too long and low for me, and I wanted brifters. I really did like the drop bars on the CC, they were the best I've tried so far.
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Old 05-16-13, 08:24 PM
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If you have parts, a Cross-Check can be made into a hybrid. Maybe buy a used bike and transfer the parts over to the Cross-Check. You can probably make in inexpensive 3 speed out of the frame and upgrade as time goes by.
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