Look at the geometry of both, then go test ride bikes that have similar geometry to both bikes and see which style you think is better suited to what you want to do. My guess is that you will be happier with the Cross Check unless you need to regularly haul a huge amount of stuff a long distance. By the way, I have just begun commuting on a Cross Check with a rear rack and it's pretty sweet.

Strictly for commuting? ... Cross Check - And I own a touring bike that is my main commuter. I can carry much more on my touring bike, but none of that is ever for a commute to work. And it's rare that I have to carry more than what a Cross Check could handle.

Thanks Jag. I have been to the Tempe Landis already. They have a medium LHT, which was good visually as I could see what it looks like. But I'm 6'4", so obviously could not ride it. I have not been to Domenic's yet, but defintiely will now. Good to know you got your CC there.

Agreed, the Vaya is a sweet ride. I would like to try that out as well. Let me know what you decide.

Depends where you live, where you ride on the weekends, and what the terrain's like on both. IIRC, the CC only has a double up front, while the LHT has a triple. You can stand to climb that little ride most days, but after riding all across the county over the weekend, you might need a low gear Monday morning.

And if you're insulted by the handling of the LHT, take the panniers off and switch to lighter tires. Feels like a whole new ride!

Well it wont be anytime soon as the closest dealer that stocks them is an hours away. All of the Surly dealers around here can get a vaya since they are from the same manufacture but none of them will order one just for a floor model. So the only way I can test a vaya local is to buy one.

I love my LHT for commuting and touring. Before I test rode one I was checking out cross bikes myself. I had ridden a Masi cross bike that I liked, and might have gone with. I also rode a Cross Check myself. I found the Cross Check to be a heavier bike than that and most other cross bikes I rode. When I rode the LHT, it was all over, though. I find the ride to be quite comfortable loaded and unloaded.

A dissenting opinion (someone has to give it):

Nashbar Touring Frame (or the Cyclocross frame)

OK, so they're aluminum now. Get a steel fork and it'll be fine.

I ride an old Nashbar MTB frame and it certainly does the job.

Finally testrode a crosscheck today. Amazing!

Did you find one in a LBS?

What's so amazing about a crosscheck that isn't amazing about other cyclocross bikes? Pretty much every bike company has one. What's so special about a Crosscheck?

J.

Yeah, found one at Domenic's 2-wheelers
Here in Tempe. Too small, but it gave me
A good idea for feel.

Just liked the feel better. Good combination
Of comfort and speed. Why do u ask? Not a fan?

Rack and Fender mounts? How about the semi-horizontal dropouts?

As I stated earlier, I normally ride my single-speed to work. I took the LHT today because my knees hurt and I wanted gears.

Yep, the LHT still rides like your grandpa's Buick. I like it.

It's just that there are a lot of different cyclocross bikes and the Crosscheck is not particularly notable nor inexpensive, comes in two non appealing colors (to me). I agree that a cyclocross bike in general is a great choice for a commuter, so much so that I just recently finished building one up out of a Gunnar Crosshairs frame that my LBS got for me (rack/fender mounts etc...). I'll use it for commuting, errands, as well as "adventure" riding with some knobby cyclocross tires on it. It's a nice adjunct to my full up carbon road bike. So, I get the cyclocross bike attraction - it also is attractive to me.

Either way, I looked at the Crosscheck and didn't see anything particularly compelling about it except a big buck flash website. I also called Surly and talked with them about it but still the same issue. Nice bike, but not the category killer that it seems to be around here. Pretty much every bike brand offers a nice cyclocross choice right now so it's not like there are not alternatives out there. I wanted to like it since I live near Mpls where they are made.

So, I'm trying to figure out why the Crosscheck is so interesting and so much a de facto recommendation on BF. I'm not seeing any particular greatness from a Surly (or I'm missing it).

So what is the attraction?

J.

Cuz it's cheap. Name another steel, readily available CX bike in its price range.

Let's not compare it to a Crosshairs, come on now. You can buy a whole CC for the price of your frameset.

I was looking for a steel cross bike with rack eyelets at a $1K price point. The CC was the only bike that fit those specs when I got mine back in 2007. Another benefit is the Surly penchant for making their frames versatile enough to accommodate many different kinds of builds.

I cannot imagine getting the LHT unless you are really going to tour, or carry a huge load. Unless you sit on one and just love it, of course.

It seems like a cross bike of some sort would be what you are looking for. Everyone's tastes are different, though.

I will never understand the appeal of the crosscheck.

So, you raise the BB 10cm over most other road bikes. Then you run a head tube angle a degree slacker. Remind me. What exactly is making this a quick and nimble bike?

I wasn't comparing it to the Crosshairs (understand that it is high(er) end), only to say that I understand the attractiveness of a cyclocross bike and it's versatility.

Redline Conquest (lower end models) can be had for about the same price and many like it too. Performance currently has 4 bikes that are under $1500 and 3 that are under $1100 all the way down to $599 - for example. $849 will get you a Fuji Cross Comp set up with 105 - that looks like a very nice bike. Bikes Direct has nice Motobecanes.

In other words, there are no lack of nice cross bikes out there in the sub $1200 range. I don't see why the CC is always the default answer, I guess.

J.

Surly bikes have magical juju. This juju can only be unleashed by those who are worthy. They aren't for everyone. Some people can throw a leg over one and "get" it. Others scoff at the lackluster graphics and geometry. That's ok too.

The LHT is designed to carry stuff slowly over long distances. People actually race the Crosscheck. The geometry on the LHT lends itself to sightseeing. Although it was fun trying to race butterflies on my LHT I never ever had the desire to get anywhere fast.

I guess when I referred to the CC as "amazing", I wasn't doing Dixon comparison
To other similar bikes, since I admit this is the first
Steel cross bike (new) that I've ridden. Sorry
If I offended all other bike manufacturers out there. Lol

Whatever floats their boat... I've got mine, that's all that matters.

Surly... it's the hipster ride for anti-hipsters.