Originally Posted by
ande7977
So, are there other options I should check out, or just do the Cross Check as it has everything I need? Sure, some upgrades on the tires, and possibly go to 1x9 to decrease the moving parts, but does any other bike frame/company even contend with Surly?
that's what i did initially, 38t chainring and 11-34 cassette but eventually got around to putting on a triple using the outer ring for a Salsa chainguard with 44/30 rings and 12-28 cassette. Good range of gears for commuting on the "big" ring. It's really not that great for heavy rear loads but it'll do. Have it presently set up with no rear rack and only this front rack:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ront-rack.html