I realize that this odd thread was started by an OP who was put off by the Surly blog. I kind of like the edgy tone, but can understand how some might not.

However, the quote above sums it up.

I am still often surprised by the myopia on this forum. Check out the commuter, cyclocross, distance, and mtb forums here and elsewhere. Surly bikes are for dedicated riders who are not Road Nazi's (another group disliked on this forum because of their "attitudes," "funny clothing," and the style of bikes they ride). For example, the Surly Cross Check is a mainstay in gravel grinding events and citizen level CX races. I find it interesting that whenever a small, private frame builder introduces a new and pricey steel gravel grinder bike, it is, at some point, inevitably compared to the Cross Check. Surly bikes are for riders, not polishers. In fact, they often go uncleaned after a ride.

The "hipster" thing around here also bothers me. If by "hipster" you mean college aged young people who ride to commute and have fun, and are not Road Nazi's, I know quite a few through my sons. A delightful few have spent time in my Mancave rebuilding bikes, and talking about bikes, parts and riding. This is one of the reasons I keep a parts stash. It's just too much fun to have them around. Oh, and they are engineering, art, biochem, etc., majors often working themselves through school. And the outlaw Alley Cat races sound like a great way to spend a summer evening. BTW, I am willing to wager that they ride more miles each year than the majority of the polishers on this forum, although they don't detail their bikes after a ride. In other words, the "Hipsters" have done more to promote bike culture than can be attributed to the members of this forum.

But, a rant should not start another rant, and I have ranted too much.

Why did I buy a Cross Check? First, because my 2006 Volpe, also SS, is on permanent loan to a good friend who is recovering from back surgery and has turned into a dedicated rider WORKING OUT five days a week and loving it. Second, I have always wanted to try a Surly and the Cross Check has what I was looking for -- long horizontal dropouts, wide stays and fork for fat tires and tons of brazeons and versatility. Also, I kind of like the attitude.

Finally, at the risk of C&V excommunication (then I'll just become a hipster and/or a Road Nazi -- I like the people I know in both groups and they are all riders), my modern bikes in general and my modern steel bikes in particular, are better riders than any of my C&V steel bikes with the possible exception of my Land Sharks. Stiffer frames and threadless headsets have a lot to do with that.

C&V is just one more collectors' hobby group, very similar to those who collect old cars, motorcycles, audio components, vacuum cleaners and antique China. Pretty light stuff and not comparable to Global Warming, pervasive hunger, and racism. We should realize that and keep it at that level.

Sorry, I'm done.