Bob Ross

So the missus finally decided it's time to add a winter/crap roads/dirt, gravel, schmütz/wet weather (fendered)/beater bike to her collection. She probably won't ever do a cylcocross race -- though I've learned never to say never, and once she sees a "Cross ***in Rules" bumper sticker she may get the fever -- so she's basically looking for something that can get her in more-or-less the same position as her road bikes, but that will accept fenders and big tires and be essentially bombproof. Her girlfriend has been raving about the Surly Cross Check, so now wife wants one too.

Is there any other frame/fork in a similar price range & with similar accoutrements that might be a better value, or that would be a marked improvement?

Note: If money were no object she'd be all over one of these: https://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/special/ because A) that's exactly the sort of functionality she's looking for, and B) we love the road bikes Carl built for us last year. Sadly, we're on a Surly, Salsa, Soma budget this year. So basically we're talking ~$500 for frame & fork, ±3dB.

Anything else she should be looking at, or is the Cross Check fine for her needs & budget?

Thanks.

NOS88

I think you've hit the three I'd be looking at: Surly, Soma & Salsa.

Barrettscv 

The Soma is a little lighter than the Surly. The Surly takes larger tires, up to 700x45. The Surly has horizontal drop-outs and could be a single speed. The Soma has disc mounts and 132.5 mm rear spacing and can run road or MTB hubs.

Both are good bikes.

Also look at the Nashbar CX Bike: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_526536_-1___

$750 & free shipping today and tomorrow.

Michael

Staggerwing

A little higher up the food chain, but sufficiently popular that you might into a nice, used frame. Love mine: Gunnar Crosshairs.

Something that recently came to my attention as a budget option, but no personal experience. Can run discs too.: Origin8 CX700 (sub $300 F/F).

I've also recently completed a first generation Salsa Casseroll as a winter beater, with a Sram i-motion 9 rear (much better when cold after filling with ATF), studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta a10's, and fenders. Initial impressions on ride, and overall quality are quite good, but snug clearances, fenders and horizontal drops are not a great mix. Dread the thought of having to deal with a flat in nasty weather. In the future, vertical drops will be a higher priority since I don't have any single speed aspirations, and like fenders.

Barrettscv 

The Origin 8 CX700 is a monstercross bike. It needs a MTB cranks and can run up to 700x50 tires (a very tight fit).

It's a little too heavy for road riding with a lighter rider.

BluesDawg

Salsa Vaya might fit the bill. About $600 frameset.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=40276

ping jockey

Here are two I'm looking at:
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/casseroll/
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/gran-fondo/volpe/

oldster

+-3db???thats interesting for a bike page ,works better for antennas,,,

Bud

big john

I think Redline has some lower priced 'cross bikes and I know they work because a friend won a state championship on one.
Also, Performance and Nashbar have specials from time to time.

Staggerwing

The OP mentioned carped up winter roads and gravel plus fenders, so I was thinking something that would handle at least a 700x32. Had to go to pull some tricks, like using a chainring nut on the front fork mount to the Daruma bolt, to make fenders work with a 32 on my Casseroll. That wouldn't be an issue with the CX700.

I knew it wasn't light, but thought is was in line with Surly's offerings.

The newer Salsa Vaya looks well thought out for the OP's purpose. Not quite a beater price though.

eofelis 

How 'bout the Nashbar steel touring bike.

Looks pretty good with 105 for $700.

SurlyLaika

I love Surly, Soma, and Salsa!

BluesDawg

Here's another possibility from Velo Orange.
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...lent-mkii.html

CB HI

Your wife has already decided she wants a Surly Cross Check (very good bike), and you are going to try and change her mind. Not a very smart move.

wobblyoldgeezer

BD - you brute. I was quite happy with bikes I already have, and then you had to..

John_V 

I would say that if she doesn't argue with you on what bikes you want to buy, then get her the one that she wants to buy. If that is what she wants and isn't happy with the one you buy, then she isn't going to be very happy with you.

BluesDawg

Nothing wrong with the guy helping his wife to be aware of other options before she makes her choice.

pdlamb

+1.

If you want to "help," find her a shop that has one she can test ride. (If they have some other models to compare, that's just gravy.) When she tells you, "I want that one," pull out your credit card.

NOS88

Depends on the wife and current relationship with the husband.

BluesDawg

I'll defer to him to make that call, as he is the one to reap the rewards of helping or pay the price for butting in.

Bob Ross

Just to be clear: The missus has indeed asked me explicitly what I think of the Surly Cross Check and whether there's something else she should be considering. She's not completely committed to that particular model, just inspired to finally get a cross (or cross-type) bike by the positive review her girlfriend gave that particular model.

Now...

One of the things we've both learned since posting this thread is that the Cross Check has "semi-horizontal" rear dropouts, which might make removing the rear wheel a bit more of a nuisance than she's used to. That alone could be a dealbreaker...so if anyone who recommended a particular model would kindly chime in on what sort of rear dropouts that frame has, we'd both appreciate it. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Barrettscv 

The Soma Double Cross has vertical dropouts. Removing/installing the rear wheel is easy.

I checked, and the Nashbar also has vertical dropouts.

big john

A GT for under $700?
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_203275

BluesDawg

VO Polyvalent has horizontal dropouts.

Salsa Vaya has vertical dropouts.

Doug64

You might add the Specialized Tricross to the bikes worth looking at.