I really like that bike and have been considering the Volpe / San Jose and the Surly Cross Check. I guess that is a common decision point for many. Do you have an opinion about how the two bikes compare? Also, what do you suppose your bike weighs?
Thanks
Here is my San Jose:
I also just built up a Cross Check for LD and light touring around the Athena 11 drive train. The two have very similar geometry; however, I have noticed that the San Jose tends to feel a bit snappier and less flexy when accelerating. The Surly feels a bit twitchier in the steering, but all in all a bit more stable into fast corners. Both are great over rough terrain, but the Surly seems to absorb the punishment a bit more in the rough patches.
San Jose: ~20 lbs. Surly: ~22 lbs.
FWIW: Get the San Jose if you want a dedicated SS/FG, get the Surly if you want something more versatile. I love my San Jose and am quickly falling in love with my new Cross Check as well, just need to log a few more miles on it before its official.