LHT/Cross Check v. Volpe v. Casserol v. Double Cross
06-11-09, 07:39 PM
#26
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You have a bunch of choices rva 522. Reading the other posts its hard for me to gauge between the three style of bikes njkayaker eloquently grouped.
I think the LHT would be relatively heavy, but I do like the 26 inch wheels (i'm 5'9" and ride the 54cm LHT) for people not that tall (though that can be debated). All the other bikes I rode had 700mm wheel sizes (which I did feel faster on) but did not have the solid feeling that the LHT had (which may be due to my familiarity with my mountain bike). For longer more comfortable rides I like the LHT. But for your situation may be overkill.
The Cross Check will give you quicker handling and I thought it was somewhat lighter than the LHT (I don't have the spec sheet in front of me). As a do it all bike I like it. People rave about it's commuting capabilities and it's ability to handle even more (from short tours to trail riding). I'm kinda leaning towards this one for you, but the wheel size gives me concerns.
I didn't have the chance to ride the Volpe (wasn't in my size), but the next size down when taken off the rack felt very light to me. I can't speak of its capabilities as I didn't have a chance to ride it.
I really don't know enough about the Soma's or the Salsa's to really comment on them.
Are you looking for Women specific bikes rva 522, or it doesn't matter? Women Specific Designs are designed around the typical smaller proportion sizes and features of women (longer legs, shorter torso's, shorter stature, etc.). My advice would be to check if a LBS can do a fitting and ride comparably sized bikes that are of the WSD and traditional design. Since you seem to be on the tall side for women it could be either/or of what fits the best for you. A good relationship with LBS could go a long way also. Ride as many bikes as you can and let us know. Sorry to dump more questions and comments on you, but before I purchased mine I put a lot of time, thought, and consideration into what would be best for me.
I think the LHT would be relatively heavy, but I do like the 26 inch wheels (i'm 5'9" and ride the 54cm LHT) for people not that tall (though that can be debated). All the other bikes I rode had 700mm wheel sizes (which I did feel faster on) but did not have the solid feeling that the LHT had (which may be due to my familiarity with my mountain bike). For longer more comfortable rides I like the LHT. But for your situation may be overkill.
The Cross Check will give you quicker handling and I thought it was somewhat lighter than the LHT (I don't have the spec sheet in front of me). As a do it all bike I like it. People rave about it's commuting capabilities and it's ability to handle even more (from short tours to trail riding). I'm kinda leaning towards this one for you, but the wheel size gives me concerns.
I didn't have the chance to ride the Volpe (wasn't in my size), but the next size down when taken off the rack felt very light to me. I can't speak of its capabilities as I didn't have a chance to ride it.
I really don't know enough about the Soma's or the Salsa's to really comment on them.
Are you looking for Women specific bikes rva 522, or it doesn't matter? Women Specific Designs are designed around the typical smaller proportion sizes and features of women (longer legs, shorter torso's, shorter stature, etc.). My advice would be to check if a LBS can do a fitting and ride comparably sized bikes that are of the WSD and traditional design. Since you seem to be on the tall side for women it could be either/or of what fits the best for you. A good relationship with LBS could go a long way also. Ride as many bikes as you can and let us know. Sorry to dump more questions and comments on you, but before I purchased mine I put a lot of time, thought, and consideration into what would be best for me.
06-11-09, 08:24 PM
#27
not a role model
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Another thought, if you're willing to build a bike (since I don't think the double-cross comes as a complete), what about the Soma Buena Vista?
Not because you're female, I just like the mixte look. It should be as functional as any in the list with a little more style than most.
Not because you're female, I just like the mixte look. It should be as functional as any in the list with a little more style than most.
06-11-09, 08:35 PM
#28
bulletproof tiger
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Salsa La Cruz.
I'm running 35mm tires, 45mm fenders, a rack and a generator front hub with full-time lights front and back.
Hot looking and almost as fast as a road bike. Mine weighs a ton now, but it's a light bike to begin with. Super comfortable cockpit, to me at least. I've never gotten worn out from the saddle or bars. If I ever go on a brevet or multi-day camping ride, I'm taking this instead of my road bike. (Well, at least as long as there's no climbing.)
Bonus: It's a cross bike and I've ridden it like one on single track and easy rock garden. It's awesome off-road, and you get to give MTB'ers "the look" as you blow by them.
All the other bikes you're looking at are fine, but check out the La Cruz if your shop has one. I've never met anyone who didn't love theirs.
I'm running 35mm tires, 45mm fenders, a rack and a generator front hub with full-time lights front and back.
Hot looking and almost as fast as a road bike. Mine weighs a ton now, but it's a light bike to begin with. Super comfortable cockpit, to me at least. I've never gotten worn out from the saddle or bars. If I ever go on a brevet or multi-day camping ride, I'm taking this instead of my road bike. (Well, at least as long as there's no climbing.)
Bonus: It's a cross bike and I've ridden it like one on single track and easy rock garden. It's awesome off-road, and you get to give MTB'ers "the look" as you blow by them.
All the other bikes you're looking at are fine, but check out the La Cruz if your shop has one. I've never met anyone who didn't love theirs.
Last edited by ok_commuter; 06-11-09 at 08:43 PM.
06-11-09, 09:42 PM
#29
Senior Member
I fitted a Jandd Expedition rear rack and an OMM AC Lowrider front rack onto my Cross Check this week, and took it for a 50km spin Wednesday after work. It handled very well, with no heel strike. I ride a 56cm.
08-23-09, 03:33 PM
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Sorry to bring a post back from the dead, but I didn't want to start a new post with essentially the same title and question.
I'm looking for a mid-distance commuter and grocery bike, most likely seeing a good bit of bad weather. I had narrowed my list down essentially to the one in the OP. I'm a bit bigger than the OP (a shade under 6' 0", 175) and have a different cycling history; most recently I've been doing a lot of fixed gear riding (Gitane -> Gazelle -> Alien). All of those (and a few road bikes before) have been builds, which has been very satisfying and educational. But now I'm looking for something different (i.e., practical), and don't have the time for a completely new build (starting grad school in a week).
Of the bikes in the OP, I've only been able to test the Volpe. Unfortunately, Bianchi has a large sizing gap (55 cm to 58 cm) that I find myself right in the middle of. Looking at geometries and such, the 56 cm Crosscheck seems like a good fit, but none of my LBSs has one in stock.
Before I make a purchase I definitely want to ride the bikes; but before I go to the trouble of hunting one down or pestering the LBS, I was wondering if anyone has faced a similar issue or if anyone has any recommendations.
Thanks!
I'm looking for a mid-distance commuter and grocery bike, most likely seeing a good bit of bad weather. I had narrowed my list down essentially to the one in the OP. I'm a bit bigger than the OP (a shade under 6' 0", 175) and have a different cycling history; most recently I've been doing a lot of fixed gear riding (Gitane -> Gazelle -> Alien). All of those (and a few road bikes before) have been builds, which has been very satisfying and educational. But now I'm looking for something different (i.e., practical), and don't have the time for a completely new build (starting grad school in a week).
Of the bikes in the OP, I've only been able to test the Volpe. Unfortunately, Bianchi has a large sizing gap (55 cm to 58 cm) that I find myself right in the middle of. Looking at geometries and such, the 56 cm Crosscheck seems like a good fit, but none of my LBSs has one in stock.
Before I make a purchase I definitely want to ride the bikes; but before I go to the trouble of hunting one down or pestering the LBS, I was wondering if anyone has faced a similar issue or if anyone has any recommendations.
Thanks!
