Twebs46

I bought the Ultegra shifters from another Bike Forum member, saving quite a bit over the 105 shifters that I had planned to buy.

I was looking at the Nova before I decided on this, but it was just too similar to my Quest. It looks like a great bike.

Tom

Twebs46

The Breezer Uptown 8 is a great bike. Having ridden my road bike quite a bit this year I just preferred the drop bar setup. I will add that the CC is better on the hills. But, that's probably a result of being more forward on the bike as much as gearing.

Tom

Twebs46

It wasn't so much away from the hub gear as toward the drop bars. The Nexus premium 8 is a great setup.

TW

BikeManDan

Who says you can't do drops and hub gear?

beingtxstate

That's one sexy beast! Nice pron!

Twebs46

Okay, you got me. I was looking for an excuse to build up a new bike. ;-)

TW

Big Ron

Nice!! I'm curious why you chose the Cross Check over the Long Haul Trucker. Any paticular reason?

Twebs46

I think of the LHT as doing double duty for touring, which I really don't need. I think of the CC as more versatile for rough pavement commuting.

TW

Brian Sorrell

Hot.

h2o_polo_boi

i couldn't resist...here's my CC...the first bike i ever built up myself and has about 400 miles

paulwwalters

Awesome bike, that's like a dream commuter!
My Trek is jealous...

Mr,snailpace

Maybe some day..I'll win the lotto and be able to afford something that sweet...

Grats on the new ride tho.

lazlo

Nice build! I've got a stock black one, but I like what you've done. Been thinking about getting a Brooks, too. I prefer the bar end shifters; I like my brake lever to be brake levers.

jimcross

Nice! If yours is as good to you as my Cross-Check has been to me. You are in for a really great time. I built mine a little over 18 months ago and 6000+ miles later and 2 more Surly bikes (Karate Monkey and LHT) the CC is still my favorite.

Twebs46

Man, you also have my garage door. Go figure! Nice job. ;-)

TW

Twebs46

You can't lose with the Brooks. I have one on my road bike, too. I can't get over how good it feels right from the get go.

Tom

discosaurus

I just noticed you're in STL. What bike shop did the build? Not that I'm going to run out and get myself a cross check just curious. It's pretty.

Stujoe

I didn't notice the StL part either. I'd be curious to know also since I am just across the river and bought my last bike in STL. I have no idea what ballpark a build like that would cost but I'd like to know where it was done anyway as I have CrossCheck envy.

Cowtown Cumuter

Me Likeee

KrisPistofferson

Wow, that's great. Don't be surprised if the boys at the LBS see you in six months and wonder where you've been- I got an LHT last winter (set up a lot like your Cross Check,) and it's all I want out of a bike, so I haven't been to the LBS or Nashbar in a loooooong time.

BikeManDan

Hey its an acceptable answer in my book

gbcb

Nice! It's great that you had a really helpful LBS and the time to find the parts you wanted. When I got my Nova, I was in Canada on a trip and didn't have the luxury of time. Fortunately, the Nova is pretty much everything I wanted... and I already had a Brooks . It is a great bike. I'll have to post my own bike pron thread at some point. Thanks again for your pictures.

Twebs46

For my STL commuters - Mike at the Bike & Rack Shack did the build. He's in Webster Groves in the Old Orchard area, just east of where Big Bend and Lockwood converge. He's a small shop with great personal service. He'll walk you through the process and provide plenty of options to get the bike where you want it and in your price range. PM me if you want my cost. I'm not inclined to start that kind of public dialogue.

I'd recommend that shop without hesitation.

Tom

Twebs46

I think they know they've maxed out my credit cards for the long haul with this one.

TW

kb0tnv

I got my stock cross-check from another Mike at Big Shark Bike Shop. I also recommend B&RS too since I know one of their wrenches. I have also noticed that I haven't been to my bike shop as much ;0). Just lovin' my cross-check bought in March of this year. I plan on sharing my pic when I get a chance to upload it. Glad there are many other fellow, happy cross-check owners out there. It seams there should be a special forum just for surly owners ;0)

Keep Cycling!