adam12

I've heard it said several times that if someone could only have one bike it would be a cross check.

So here's my story. I caught the bug in late '94 on mountain bikes. I had always ridden mountain bikes. So when It came time to take it up again I bought a mountain bike. However I bought a Karate Monkey because it seemed so versatile. Now that I've had it for awhile. I'm beginning to think the cross check may have been the better way to go. Due to my limited trails around here I ride mostly road, and the occasional trail. I have personal restrictions limiting me to one bike. So I'm asking if anyone uses their cross check as their do it all ride? Commuter, road bike, mountain bike, touring ride.

rickyaustin

The Karate Monkey is a pretty versatile bike as well. Maybe you could just make your improvements to that bike instead of dumping cash into a new frame?

socalrider

The crosscheck is pretty solid for a do everything bike, road, trails and even touring.. I love my crosscheck and if I had just 1 bike to buy it would be the one..

Peat

I have a crosscheck and I use it for everything: commuting, road riding, fixed gear, singlespeed cross racing machine, and a little bit of trails. If you're not going to ride much in the way of trails then get the crosscheck. If you really love to ride trails, then you'll probably be a bit disappointed with the cross check. It can handle the trails but not in a true mountain bike sense. You can still have fun but if you like to ride fast and technical trails you'll be disappointed. I have a 29er for mountain bike and owned a karate monkey for a while. I think that the monkey is versatile enough to be an "only bike." Ideally, you would have a monkey and a crosscheck! Good luck with your decision.

Revtor

maybe a second set of wheels for the road, so you have one trail set and one road set?
cheaper than a whole new rig...

LBIkid

I have a cross check that I use as my "almost everything" bike. Like you, I started out on a mountain bike, but my current location isn't the greatest for trails. When I decided to get a new bike, I wanted one that could do most anything and more than all else, it had to be versatile by changing out just a few parts. I looked long and hard at the KM before I decided on the Cross Check. My decision came down to whether I would be using the bike more on the road or off the road. since I do have a mountain bike, the answer was more on-road. The Cross Check is currently set up with a flat bar and Paul's Thumbies shifters, so that if I want to convert to a standard road platform, I just switch bars, add a set of road brake levers and turn the thumbies into barcons. Right now I use it for some road riding, canal path/fire road rides and hopefully some light weekend touring. It sounds like the Cross Check would do fine for the uses that you've described so long as you plan to spend more time on the road rather than the trails.

hamr22

I have a CC with drop bars and brifters and use it for everything, but can't imagine it as a mountain bike. Maybe with a riser bar or something, but it would be a pretty half a$$ mountain bike.

That being said, go for the cross check. If you hate it, you can always go back. Half the fun is looking for the next project.

ragboy

I own a Cross Check -- it would be an excellent choice for the needs you have described.

bkriete

I have had a Cross Check for a couple months, mostly using it for commuting. I'm running a mix of Surly's standard build with a few upgrades, including brifters. It's extremely versatile; comfortable and fast enough for longish road rides, while also having wide enough tires for sand and gravel roads. I wouldn't use mine for hard-core off-road riding through mud or deep sand, and I don't think there's really enough clearance for riding over tons of rocks, but if you're doing road and trail riding it's a great bike. I think the character of the bike changes greatly with the width of tires you're running as well. I have the 35s that came "stock", and will probably change to 32s or 28s when they wear out.

geoGraphicFTD

Cross-Checks! that's just why I came over to this forum. I'm usually in ssfg.

I just scored a X-Check frame/fork with ultegra cranks for cheap. Always wanted one, they are damn sexy frames. And versatile. I plan on it eventually being used for winter riding, light off-road stuff, and touring.
however, at first it's gonna be single-speed cus that's just easier/cheaper.

If anyone has some suggestions I'd like to know. What wheels do you guys run? Tires? Handlebar preferences (I'm thinking flats or risers at first)? Also, maybe stems and headsets. the frame is pushing the large side for me, so I'm gonna need a short stem.

Right now it's sitting by my bed and I caress it before I go to sleep. Can't wait to ride it.

MrEWorm

I have a scross check, a fuji pro carbon road weight weenie, and a trek police bike (for a mountain bike). Usually the cross check is the bike that I take. It feels right.

scotch

Yes, my Cross check is my main ride, which is mostly on the road these days. I also have a Bianchi Axis alum, which is nice, too, but the CC is just the smoothest ride. I love it!