Originally Posted by ragboy
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the bikes being discussed. I can tell you that I was in a similar situation a few months ago -- I wanted a bike primarily for commuting year-round and on occasion as a tourer. I rode an LHT, Volpe and Cross Check and pulled the trigger on the Cross Check and haven't looked back. I preferred the bar end shifters to the Volpe brifters and felt the LHT lacked the zip of the Cross Check. Since I'm using the bike 90% of the time commuting and 10% on longer-distance recreational riding/touring, it made sense to go with the bike that was suited for the best purpose for what I would be using it most (hence the tire size versatility of the Cross Check). If you were going to spend the majority of your time touring, then maybe a true touring bike might be your ticket. However, the Cross Check or Volpe are plenty capable as touring bikes as well. Good luck in your search -- like I said, you really can't go wrong with any of those bikes.
I agree that none of the bikes I suggested are bad bikes. Each has it's own good points and not a single one is going to be a dog. The reason I suggest touring bikes over cross bikes for commuting is that commuting is more like touring then rec. riding. And if there is one thing that touring bike excel at it's carrying stuff...lots and lots of stuff
I've toured on short wheel base bikes long ago and it wasn't a pleasant experience. A short bike with a heavy load becomes very twitchy very quickly. Longer wheelbase bikes are far better at it.
About the only issue I have with the Cross Check (and the Nova) is the compact crank and high rear cluster. For Colorado - but not for Denver commuting - the gearing is a bit tall. Personally, I go as high and as low as current bicycle technology will allow me. I have no problem - physically, mentally or manly
- carrying (and using) a 22/34 gear on all of my bikes. You really can ride a bike at 3 mph and it beats walking!