Originally Posted by ragboy
Cross Check last on that list as a commuter bike? Wow. I disagree.
The Cross Check has much more flexibility when it comes to tire sizes and its much quicker as a commuter than the LHT. I ride with two panniers and have never had a heel clearance issue. I chose it over the Volpe due to its flexibility -- there isn't a bike out there that has as many options as the Cross Check.
"Options for what?" would be my question. The Cross Check complete doesn't have 3 water bottle cages. It doesn't have midfork rack mount (granted that's more a touring thing but I do use my front rack for commuting.) It has a double instead of a triple. Try climbing to 12500 on Trail Ridge Road some time or the west side of Vail Pass or west side of Loveland Pass (We are in Colorado after all
). An 36/25 low gear could mean you get to walk parts of those passes rather then ride them.
The Volpe and Randonee would probably be better choices since they come with a triple...and cost less. The Nova moves up in my eyes just because it's prettier than all the rest.
I have a short chainstay cross bike that I use to commute and it's not the best bike for that. I don't use panniers that much but it's difficult to get them on...even though they're small...without some fit issues. Also a rack bag interferes with a very small seat bag (for tools) on the shorter bike. Not an issue on a bike with 2" longer stays.
In actuality, the last four bikes are about equal as commuter bikes. Not any of them really outshine the others.