I just went to LBS. They quoted $1500 for a 2004 stock cross check. They said the 2004 model is built up better (105 components, etc.) vs. the 2003. Is anyone familiar with the 2004 vs. 2003 stock cross check?

Al

Just to make the decision tougher, I'd throw the Trek 520 into the mix. It seems like there's Trek dealers everywhere so might be one local for you, esp since you already have one. I use my '02 520 as a commuter with panniers on the stock rack (which people complain about but has been working fine for me), fenders (wet here in the Pacific NW), lights and computer. I covered it with bumper stickers to hopefully make it less attractive when it's locked up outside my office.
Your original post said "fast" was a criteria, and this 520 seems pretty fast to me. I rarely use the largest ring on the front (52) but I can ususally keep up with traffic when I need to on the middle ring. A stronger rider than me could really move on this bike. I did get a longer stem and a second set of brake levers so I could ride more upright in traffic. It feels super stable and strong, although I try to minimize the curb hopping. :) And its an American bike too.

It sound like they may not be familiar with the 2003 specs or that they are trying hard to justify an arbitrary price increase.

The specs for 2003 are available on the internet archive they show the pages from early 2003 when the model being offered was the Green Bean and if you look around you can find the Red bike specs too.

http://www.waybackmachine.org/ is a great source for comparing changes in a site.

I do not see a whole lot of difference outside of the color changes.

tom o.

I am certain that the 2004 stock build model is the same as the 2003 based on the "Surly2004.pdf" catalog I have seen. I have no idea what is going on at the LBS.

I came in asking what cross bikes they had in stock. None, but they suggested I get a cannondale T800 as it would be "better for dirt roads and commuting."

I did ask if they could order a stock build Surly, sure they said and brought out the Surly parent company catelog (UCI or something like that) and sure enough the red stock build was pictured and the standard specs I am familiar with listed. I asked how much it would be, they said they could get it in 3-4 days and went to the back room, came out and said $1799. I said they must be a mistake as I am sure the cost is quite a bit lower. They went back to the back and came out with $1499. I said I expect and understand that the price will be higher than I see on-line (which I then told them was $800-900) but I didn't expect such a large difference. They then explained that the stock build in the catelog was the 2003 model and that the 2004 model is much better with 105 components, better headset, better seat post, etc. I asked if I could see what exact components they were and I didn't get a clear answer.

So I walked away disapointed, I would be willing to pay quite a markup for local service, but I wasn't getting a good feeling. On the way to a different LBS I went to a different branch of the same LBS and explained that I didn't want to waste their time as I already asked the other store about ordering a stock cross check. They no problem and looked it up and said that it was $1300-1400 and also said it comes with 105 components. Hmmm..

So I guess this particular store must have some 'standard' build with 105 components recommended in a pricing catelog (that was what the both the first and second store were looking at and I assume it was a pricing catelog as they were very careful to make sure I didn't see it)

Anyway the 3 other LBS I visited didn't have any cross bikes, nor could they order any (canondale, lemond, bianchi, kona, etc.). Two of the three pushed me hard to get a Trek1500 road bike on sale to clear out for the 2005s. I think I may unforunately need to to my shopping on line.

Al

ATTENTION LBS OWNERS!!! What's the scoop? Are the LBS' cited by the posters jacking up the prices? Or has there been a manufactuter price increase on the Surlys? If the price has gone up, why? The prices they cite are twice what I paid for a stock build last fall.

I love my Cross Check, but I don't think it's worth $1500 stock built. I wonder if your LBS' are greedy or if there was a price increase. If this hasn't turned you off of Surlys, look at the new Surly Long Haul Trucker. That might actually make a better commuter than the Cross Check. Sometimes I wish my Cross Check were just a little bit longer. I have to push saddlebags to the back of the rack to avoid heel strike.

The price of steel has gone up a lot but that is an awfully large price increase. You don't see Detroit doubling their prices.

tom o.

I have the heal vs. pannier issue also. The Long Haul does look like a good alternative. The reason I went with the Cross Check instead of one of the "Commuter" bikes is that I wanted one beast that would carry me on long weekend rides, the occasional friendly race, and get me to work.

tom o.

It sounds like your LBS is quoting you the price for the Cross-Check "Virtual Bike" that is listed on Surly's web site, and is different from the "Cross-Check Complete":

Compare this:

http://www.surlybikes.com/virtual_CrossCheck.html (105 components, Cane Creek headset, etc...)

to this:

http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html

From their web site:

"What is a virtual bike? It’s a Surly frameset paired with some parts that have been assembled by our U.S. distributor. Aside from our Cross-Check Complete bike, Surly does not actually sell completely built up bikes."

The Cross-Check Complete is still listed on their site with the same build as I paid a bit less than $1k for last year -- a mutt-mix of componentry, including Deore hubs, Tiagra shifters and derailleurs, Ritchey Comp headset, etc...

Since you said the LBS was looking in the distributor catalog, it sounds like they were referencing these "virtual bike" packages, which QBS puts together, rather than the stock Cross-Check that Surly puts together.

Surly's got a dealer locator on their web site, too, if you need to find an LBS that's got their act together a little better.

Exactly.

I later went to yet a different LBS. I was very pleased. They were upfront and even let me look at the QBP catalog and showed both the stock build and what I just learned in called the Virtual Build (the catelog calls it the the "105 STI stock build". This LBS quoted $1350 for the '105 STI' and $950 for the standard stock build. I was so pleased with how straight forward they were and also very helpful & friendly. I will gladly pay $950/$1350 to do business with them - the extra $100 or so over online prices is well worth the fitting (stem, seatpost, cranks, etc.) that they (and most good LBS) do they do at no extra charge.

The question remains how do I want to configure it? This is a bike I plan to use forever, both for commuting, but also lots of 4WD trail riding (rougher than dirt roads, but not technical like rocky single tracks) on weekends. I am willing to pay for the upgraded groups, but need to put thought into where to put the money (i.e. not neccessarily the exact 105 'virtual' configuration) but also what other cross bikes compare at $1350 (at $950 none really did)

(I do wonder why the other LBS did not know about the standard stock build and were so vague about the '105 STI' build - expecially why they priced it at $1800 before I questioned that. The annoying part is this was the LBS I have done all my accessory shopping at and this other nice new LBS is 10mi away.)

Al

Sounds like you found an honest, competent LBS. You might want to invest in two sets of wheels--one with slick 25's or 28's for commuting, one with knobby 32's or 35's for off road. (Personally, I prefer slick 28's for fair-weather commuting.) Yeah, it's expensive, but it beats riding down the road on knobbies or taking a curvy, hilly dirt path with "narrow" slicks. It also beats switching off tires twice a week.

I can't compare the value to the 105 upgrade because I know squat about the 105 upgrade, but it's a thought.

If your going to pay that type of money for a Surly Cross Check, take a gander at a Gunnar Crosshairs, 853 tubing. But this still set you back about 1500.00.

You will probably make some upgrades along the way which bike you end up with. Things wear out, break, get replaced by lighter/sexier parts... The upgrade package is probably worth the extra money.

Either way I hope you enjoy it.

tom o.

The other options offered in the rest of the replies are all good choices but try not to let so many options paralyze you into inaction.

Man...... If anyone pays $1,500.00 hundred for a stock Surly Cross Check they get the Bike Forums "Sucker of the month" award. ;-)

I think the option for keeping two sets of wheels is what many people are doing. I wanted a Surly Crosscheck but purchased a Bianchi Volpe because the bike shop was giving me a discount (I was buying two bikes). The Volpe also had a triple and it was in my favorite color. Blue

What I like about the Crosscheck is the low level chromoly frame. I would avoid Ebay because the Crosscheck bikes are going for practically retail or MORE! In my opinion, the only thing I would have the bike shop add is the triple chainring. The Crosscheck is a heavier bike and you need that lower gear.

The Trek 520 is only 26 pounds according to their website. This really came as a surprise to me because I thought the bike was closer to 30! I really want this bike and will look for closeouts in November but there are too many bikes in my stable at the moment. The 520 has that looong wheelbase and chromoly frame that I really love but the stem has got to go! It seems like everyone who buy this bike changes the stem for a longer one and you would figure Trek would have corrected this deficiency by now. Another thing I don't like is the color. Be honest. The Trek 520 probably has the ugliest color scheme of all the current touring bikes in production. Rivendell puts this bike to shame!

Having said that. I still want one!

I think the poster should still get the Crosscheck only becuase he's looking for a multipurpose bike and not just a touring/commuter.

I'd get another trek, but I'm not comfortable with the only dealer on my island. It's also a bit much.