Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
You have to take your hands off the brakes to shift, so you can end up with your hands elsewhere when you suddenly need to brake. It's difficult to turn as well while shifting. I usually have a good grip on the bars while pedalling uphill as well - lots of shifting there.
Some people say "I don't shift that often", but that kind of shifting, braking, and turning at the same time often takes place in the middle of an intersection - the absolute last place I need another distraction.
Some people will say "you still have one hand on the brakes" - if you lock up your front wheel by accident (because you're used to having both hands on the brakes) you can flip yourself over the handlebars. I did that once on my mountain bike while stupidly trying to button close a pocket that had come open with one hand while not stopping. Ended up on my back, over the bars, in the middle of the woods. It's a lot less likely to happen on a skinny-tire bike, because of the lower braking power, but I'm not fond of it.
Look, non of this is a deal breaker. If I got this bike for free in college, I'd definitely ride it and everything. You just have to slow down and be more careful. But when I'm buying new - hell no. In fact in high school I did actually pay several hundred more for a bike with brake-integrated shifters rather than going for the bar-end shifter model that was cheaper. I just find barends very annoying.
no, i totally understand. i often shift up one gear to the 2nd smallest cog so it's just a tad easier to start off from a stop sign or the red light, as i approach the intersection. right now i have the rapid fire thumb trigger shifters on my MTB, and i find that so ridiculously convenient and easy. i can see how having to completely move your hand and arm quite a distance to the end of the bar could pose a problem.
for the same reason i was never a fan of the old-fashioned shifters mounted on the down tube. they're so far out of the way it was uncomfortable. i didn't end up getting the bike simply because of that.
Originally Posted by
Commuter16
I carry about 10-15 pounds to work each morning on my water bottles and rear rack. I don't feel the weight at all when I'm riding, and the bike feels quick and nimble enough - however, my point of comparison is to a old heavy department store MTB that I used to ride as a kid, and I think anything feels quick and nimble compared to that!
I've attached a couple pictures - one without and one with the Topeak bag/pannier. I think one could do light touring without any problems. According to the LBS, one of the pros of the bar-end shifters is how robust they are, and they specifically mentioned how that's great when touring and in the middle of nowhere, to have reliable gear shifting system.
PS: There was no option to change the gear shifters on the Cross Check. Another LBS suggested the All-City Space Horse if I really didn't like the bar-end shifters. The Space Horse is at a higher price point, but he said it's very similar to the Cross Check and in general a better bike. I didn't get to ride it thought because they didn't carry one in my size.
i have the topeak rack/bag w/fold out panniers system as well - awesome to see it in use on the bike. thanks!
what size frame / tires did you get? how tall are you? I'm 5'5", but I like a slightly larger frame than I should be fitted to.
i definitely don't carry more than 10 pounds to work with me. just simple work clothes, and papers and a lunch. so iguess i should be fine!
i will say i am kind of annoyed you can't upgrade the shifters - but i guess that's also surly's thing - this is the reliable bike you need that will just keep on hauling so here it is take it or leave it.
Originally Posted by
PennyTheDog
I also bought a cross check this year for everyday commuting. I had an aluminum/carbon road bike with brifters, and I really didn't notice any convenience issue switching to barend shifters. People sometimes complain about cantilever brake performance, but they've worked fine for me too. One benefit of them is that they can travel a lot farther, so you don't need them to sit as close to the wheel. Consequently, you don't have to fiddle with their positioning as much-- they never rub.
As far as carrying loads for touring, I really can't imagine a load big enough to cause a problem. I don't have a front rack, but I've frequently carried $100 of groceries on my 10-mile commute (including beer, gallons of milk, watermelons... heavy stuff) and I've never had a problem.
My only gripe is that my stock bike had its steerer tube cut too much for my taste. It felt right to me at first because I was used to the road bike position. But once I went through the effort of raising my bars a bit, I realized I will never go back! That's not a problem with the cross check, because the uncut steerer tube is plenty long. But if you buy the complete bike they seem to always set it up with a really agressive position. You might want to ask them if they would leave the bars a little higher. You can always cut more later, but you can't add it back, and a new fork is $100.
Overall I've loved the bike, and I'm very happy. Oh, and I paid basically list price for it in Minneapolis.
awesome - thanks for the feedback!
with the bar end shifters sticking out do you ever accidentally hit them when you're riding, or loading/unloading the bike from a rack? i look at them in pictures sometimes and i just say "man they look like they're going to be in the way!"
do you flip them down to shift to smaller cogs, and up to the larger? also how do they function? is it a simple click and you're there, or is it like the old fashioned ones on 90's MTBs where you had to move that damn thumb thing to just the right spot of it didn't shift or it made a clickety clackety sound
there is only one bik shop here that carries surly's and i have not had a chance to go see them, it's not a convenient store location at all. also i won't be buying one until after we move to another state anyway - just trying to get a feel for the bike and if it's something i really want to check out!
Originally Posted by
bikemig
I like cross bikes for commuting and I even like bar ends but everyone's tastes differ. I'll 2d the suggestion for a mountain bike for commuting in a town like Boston. It's a busy city and having bulletproof wheels is good. If the OP has any mechanical skills, he or she can pick up a prima vintage rigid mtb for a heck of a lot less than the $1200 that the cross check (or a similar bike) runs and have plenty of money left over for a front wheel build with a generator hub, panniers, etc.
right now i commute on a late 90's giant rincon MTB. but i'm looking to extend my options and try something new with a little more umph!