Hey, guys. I was just wondering... would building up a single speed/fixie crosscheck be any cheaper that buying a crosscheck complete, which goes for $1050? I was thinking that, if doing it this way is any cheaper, I could ride it around as a single speed (which I've been itching to do anyways), and then if I don't like riding single speed, I could switch it to a geared bike later.

crosscheck= best. bike. ever.
most versatile, too!

it can easily be done. frameset 550 wheelset 150 and then you have 350 left to spend on the rest.

probably be better off buying the complete bike though, and a fg rear wheel on ebay.

shouldnt spend more than 450 on the frameset. Hell I spent 425 on mine. and you can find some solid wheelsets on ebay pretty cheap (if you dont mind ****ty colors). Personally I think the soma is better but they failed big time by having vertical dropouts. the crosscheck does make a solid fixed or single speed. I also race cross on it now. there is also something to be said about its not so thin tubing. I have toured cross country on it, crashed it a lot, had it stolen and gotten back, its still kicking.

I just bought a frameset and all the parts to set up a CX ss/fg, and upon reflection I would say that buying the complete might be the way to go. You could easily sell the parts you don't use, or keep them around if you want to set up gears down the road. I probably spent almost as much as the complete for my build, but I like the satisfaction of hand picking all of the parts.

Do you have any parts lying around for the build or would you have to buy every piece?

I'd have bought the CC but I have the SS Bianchi San Jose (now discontinued) complete as a SS bike.

That was before Surly offered a complete bike.

I think the cheapest way to get one rolling would actually be to buy the complete and sell off all of the shifty bits. Assuming you don't want anything high end, and don't have a bunch of parts sitting around, and a spacer kit and cog, or a new rear wheel if you want to go fixed too.

It's a wonder bike! I have 2 of them that's how much I like it. Yes, you should buy it complete. Also, check ebay for some nice deals on upgraded xchecks that come complete

one thing I will give the cc is that i can run 34/17 for racing and 34/14 for fixed commuting, all on the same length of chain...

I love my Cross Check, and it's awesome as a singlespeed. Here's a pic of mine in SS 'cross setup doin' work.

I race CX on it, ride singletrack MTB trails, switch out the wheels/tires to ride it on the road, I'm about to take it on an overnight tour to the gulf coast, etc, etc. It does EVERYTHING. My CC gets more use than any of my geared bikes.

CrossCheck.jpg