Thank you very much for your input bikinpolitico, and even more for your awesome web site. I ordered a Surly Cross Check yesterday. I'll post a picture when I get it all built up.

What do people have to say about racks for a Cross Check? This frame seems to be compatible with just about everything out there, but I'm looking for someone who has experience with this bike as I have no experience in this area. I'm going to be ordering the rack so it will hopefully arrive at roughly the same time the bike does.

I won't need to haul 80lbs., but I don't want something flimsy either. Day-in day-out it will be used for commuting with a change of clothes, lunch, and a few other incidentals. It will also be used as a grocery getter a few times a week. Topeak makes a rack that can haul a u-lock which seems like a good idea. Surly also makes a rack, but it's almost 3 times the cost of the other racks out there. The Old Man Mountain racks look pretty good as well. Thoughts?