I just did it.
After worrying about it too much adn then just basically dropping the idea of getting a new bike I ran into a mechanic from a bike shop at a coffee shop and began shooting the s***.
Turns out that there is more than one Surly dealer in town and the Crosscheck complete is available at his shop for $860. He also showed me a couple other choices based on my needs. We considered everythig from using a cheap Trek 1200 with clip on fenders and usig a trailer for times that I want to go camping; to the Fuji Touring, to a couple used beaters he had around.
I really liked the fuji touring bike but decided on the Surly Crosscheck complete. The Fuji touring was very tempting because it works better while heavily loaded but for the way I ride the Surly would be a better fit (perhaps someday Ill be able to afford two bikes: a racer and a tourer but that is way beyond my means for now).
I honestly do spend more time sprinting around curves in downtown parks than I do going on two day camping trips on my current bike.
I'm going to buy a rack, panniers, and fenders for it first. That should get me set for the handfull of miles to work and my little recreational trips around the city on weekends, as well as getting groceries and such. (I cant wait til the weather cools down, 90% humidity and near 100 deg temps have made me grab the car keys a little too often lately.
After spending an hour or so BSing with the guys at the bike shop I think I may also pick up a trailer and some extra wheels. The trailer for multi day vacation trips and the extra wheels will be a stupid-light set with stupid-skiny tires to make my cross bike feel like more of a racer.
*sigh* My only problem now... Surly is between model years and is not shipping right away. Surly told the LBS guy it could be between 2days and 2 weeks
Oh well. Gives me somthing to look forward to
My old Trek 1200 is still in good working shape so it isn't like I'm bike-less.
This is my first new bike over $300 and let me tell ya peeps. I'm EXCITED.
Thanks everyone here for the great advice left on this thread!
Cheers!
Jeff
May my GD car and its tank o terror collect a lot of dust