What's the problem? It's a steel frame so why not cold set it to whatever you need?

Well, to start, I am not a fan of the frame geometry. I mean the BB is set high and the head tube is way too short. Do a search on CC pics and I bet 80% have a huge stack of spacers. Seems "most" people are not happy with the frame geometry. Yeah, I get it that some folks ride with little or no rise, but the majority load up the spacers.

Horizontal dropouts....been covered....

Crazy "safety pin" style rear brake cable hanger seems like an after thought. I mean it works, but it certainly isn't the best engineering. Still can't figure out why there isn't a frame mounted hanger.

So, before I get flamed, remember the OP asked for reasons to not get one.

The bike isn't bad. I had a blast riding mine, but in my opinion, there are better options out there. I thought the Soma Saga, Pake C'Mute and the Salsa Vaya were all pretty decent.

I ended up selling my CC frame and built a Vaya and couldn't be happier. Then again, my buddy who bought the CC loves it...so different strokes for different folks I suppose.

Salsa Vaya was my pick after looking at both the CC and Vaya. Built it with Shimano components and better wheels. You might not like disk only though. I really like the new Vaya though. Came from a Marin Highway One and Trek 5200.

Yeah, I know; if it's just a question of wearing out the frame, I'm going to have the LHT until I die. It's neither flashy nor high-performance, just good, kind of like what Volvos used to be.

I would kinda like a frame that can handle disc brakes, though; traditional cantilever brakes are pure hell on rims, especially in the winter. It seems like I have to replace rims (i.e., get a wheel build) every 12-16 months.

...because they're too trendy?

If I were considering a new bike for mostly-road-but-sometimes-offroad, I think I'd get one of these. The geometry of the 56cm frame isn't too far off from my '91 Bianchi Eros -- the angles are a little slacker, giving longer chainstays and wheelbase, but that's about it. I'm actually concerned that it would end up too similar.

- Scott

FWIW - I'm in year 5 of my CC and I use it as an all round, year round, city bike, commuter.

I'd suggest buying the frame scraping off the decals and doing your own build. Over the years I've set mine up as a SS, IGH, 1x9, Drop bars, flat bars, and albatross bars (my current fave), fenders, rear rack, slicks, and studded tires for winter, Brooks saddle of course;-). It has performed admirably in every set up.

The CC is the swiss army knife of bikes. Which is great because You can do almost anything with it, but not so good because it won't do anything as well as the proper tool for the job. Yes, the frame is flexy, and sorta heavy, and the head tube is short, and the rear brake hanger is dumb. (the drop outs are fine BTW) The Bottom line: I ride my CC almost constantly, and love it dearly. It's gets 10 times the miles of any of my other bikes.

Surly is great bike brand. The people that design and market these bikes are your neighbors, they believe in what they do, they live it everyday, and it shows in their offering. They are popular because they are a good product and a good value. It's not hype.

That's definitely a "problem" but it's an easily fixed problem. A stack of spacers and/or an upward tilt on the stem and you're done. Otherwise, the geometry isn't bad. Plus, the short head tube gives you the option of setting it up aggressively once in a while if you want to.


Yeah, I didn't like that either. It was easily fixed when I had my frame in for powder-coating though.

This is just about the most unbiased, well stated review on the CC I've come across; most denigrate or praise it to an unreasonable point so that it becomes difficult to assess the person's opinions. I like my CC, actually I love it. It's the first real bike I've ever had. As the most expensive bike I've ever had, I expected it to perform miracles. Over time, though, as I've learned it, I've come to really appreciate the bike. I can't compare it to other bikes but it really has done everything I've asked it to, including commuting and a 2,000 mile tour. I'm happy I loosened my grip and bought a quality bike. Again, I am unable to compare it to other bikes but it's served me well.

Trendy isn't necessarily bad; it could be popular with good reason. The number of positive reviews of it are actually why I got mine, not knowing a damn thing about quality bikes. I figured I couldn't go wrong if so many people were satisfied with theirs.

Nice job on the hanger Andy! That looks awesome...as does the powder coat. Love the color. Did you put the decals back on?

Yeah, I did. I don't like the look of a bare frame. I was thrilled with the way it turned out.

Does that double as a bottle opener?

yes

I think the Surly crew has it in their mission statement that every tool must be usable as a bottle opener.

That is an awesome looking bike! (Except you should have left the decals off...)

Surlys are good for people who can't decide what bike they really want, which seems to describe the OP -- no offense intended, just an observation.

They attract the "I'm going to run three different drivetrains and six different handlebars in a year" crowd. I have individual bikes for specific tasks; not really interested in one bike to do each less effectively.

For me, the geometry of the CC ruled it out. High BB, low HT and long TT results in most of them being built with awkward stem/spacer configurations.

Exactly. That's why I bought mine, and after a year, I found a configuration I liked. This is why the 132.5mm spacing isn't ideal (to describe it as a 'problem' might be a little much). If you know what you want, pick one and go with it.

Yes, long top tube.

I have individual bikes because I like the individual bikes. I am leery of each bike being so optimized to a task and to me that somebody else in my house couldn't also hop onto the bike and have a moderately useful experience with it.