Surly Cross Check owners

[uforgot]

I have the frame ordered, now I just have to choose the parts. My Shimano 105 groupset is moving over, (except those shorty brakes) but I need to make a few other decisions.

Fork: My lbs says I can upgrade to a carbon fork. I plan to have this be my "do everything" bike, roads trails, etc. Any thoughts as to carbon vs the Surly Steel fork? I'm not sure it's going to make that much difference, may shave a pound or two, but honestly I need to shave about 25 pounds anyway...

Brakes: I understand the Surly has a weird routing system, and that is the one thing in the 105 group that needs to be replaced. What kind do you have on your Surlys, and or any recommendations so I can go armed with some knowledge when we have our build "talk".

Anything else you can think of would be great. I honestly want to take care of the things that can't easily be upgraded later first. Headset, bottom bracket etc.

Thanks.

[KnottedYet]

I have the steel fork on my CC. I really can't say much about carbon forks, as I've only test ridden one carbon bike. Ever. The Surly steel fork has sweet sloped shoulders and cute lugs. It is elegant and beautiful. Looks pretty much the same as my Waterford's fork, so they can be "sisters". Feels lovely, of course!

My brakes are Tektros. Not sure how the routing is different? Seems to be the same as my Waterford and Kona.

[whateveronfire]

I have the surly steel fork on my bean green cross check. I agree with Knotted that it's a really nice fork, both to look at and ride.

Consider mini-v brakes. I like them SO much better than cantis and they work with STI levers. Tektro makes some as does Campy. I have Veloce ones (on an otherwise Shimano mixed XT/Ultegra drivetrain). They stop well, modulate well, and do what brakes should do. One caveat: if you do get mini-v's, you need a barrel adjuster on your brakes or the quick releases won't work.

I LOVE my Cross Check and am sure you will too.

[Surlygirl]

I upgraded just about everything on my Surly cross check over time, just because its something I like to do. I have the small 42. I put on Salsa short and shallow handlebars, upgraded to Ultegra 9 speed triple, changed the gearing. STI brake levers. I put a tubus rack on it and a winwood carbon fork on the front. I ride it on the trainer in the winter and its my beater for the spring till they clean the roads. I've run 23 and 28 tires on it so I put avid canti brakes since I like to run both. Its a great all around bike and since I'm only 5 feet tall it fit me pretty well.