Ok, ready to pull the trigger!

[bluegirl]

The problem is, I'm still waffling! I had my heart settled on a Cross Check, but then got all distracted looking at the pretty Jamis Aurora pictures.

Considering not a single bike shop in a 300 mile radius has either one of these bikes in stock, I have to go just on feeling. I'm going to order one or the other this weekend. The bike will be used primarily for commuting and fun riding.

ACK! Help! :)

[KnottedYet]

I've ridden and loved both. I was all ready to buy a Jamis Aurora, and then I rode a Surly Cross Check.

The Cross Check stole my heart.

I felt like I was flying, that I could ride forever, that the bike was meant for me. Yeah, the saddle was a horrible pain, and the bars were too low and too wide... but the bike meshed with me like magic.

Here's the deal: I have ridiculously long arms and broad shoulders. Stretching out over the longish cockpit of the Cross Check was heavenly. It meshed with the way I tend to work my body. Even with the bars and saddle wrong, it still felt so very very right. (I changed them after I bought her.)

If you have any inkling that your arms or torso might be longer than average, I'd try the CC. Otherwise, the Aurora. Either way, I really don't think you will go wrong.

Are you ordering through a bike shop? What is their policy on special orders? If you ride the bike and hate it, can you return it?

Edit To Add: several folks on here have Auroras, and several have CCs. They are both great bikes!

[bluegirl]

Haha, Knotted, I'm sitting here going "Do I have crazy long monkey arms?" Hm, I'm thinking I don't, as I do tend to be more comfortable on the WSD bikes.

Man, I want to put my butt on one!! I think I will do another round of "call every bike shop in a 300 miles radius" in the next few days, just to double check. I know, like you, I would just know in my heart what was right. Blargh!

The only place I found that did a guaranteed return was a tri-shop, and the dude kind of creeped me out, so I'd rather not order from there. I suppose I can always Ebay.

Or, it might come down to getting a better deal. I'm wondering if by the time I switch out the bar ends on the Cross Check for STI's and get slicker tires, I might as well just get the Aurora with the 105 components and the tires I want.

Maybe I'm just agonizing too much. :)

Hey, if anyone lives in a town with a 42cm cross check, let me know and I'll hop on a plane!

[tulip]

Do any of the shops have other models in your size to try out to get broad fit-feel? They are both great bikes, so it really does come down to fit.

[bluegirl]

OOOOOH! I just called a bike shop about 2 hours away and they have both Aurora's (53) and Surly's (CC (50) & LHT (52)) IN STOCK. The sizes they have are a size or two bigger than what I would probably ride, but somewhat close. Considering I've not seen a single Aurora (except for my old *** one) and only a 56cm Cross Check, this is promising news!

So, ROAD TRIP this weekend. YES!

[Biciclista]

if you're thinking you fit a 42, there's no way you're going to be able to pedal and reach the brakes on a 50 or a 52!

[bluegirl]

haha! Yeah, I was just remembering that I had said that about the 42. But the dude I talked to said it sounded like I was thinking way too small for my height: 5"4'. So, we'll see.

Is it weird that I just want to touch one? Even if it's too big?

[bluegirl]

Ok, I DID IT!!!!

I drove my butt all the way down to Tucson from Phoenix so I could see both the Cross Check and the Jamis Aurora side by side. The Aurora is one beautiful bike, for sure, but I decided to go with the Cross Check. I just liked the look at feel of it for my zipping around town purposes.

The 50cm was definitely a bit big, but not as big as I expected. And the guy at the bike shop was so nice, but I wanted to order from somewhere near to me. I've visited literally 20 shops around me, and just didn't fall in love with anyone, so I was agonizing and agonizing about what shop to order from.

Finally I just said screw it and went to the shop that's like a block from my house. And you know what? The guy was SO FREAKING NICE, and he took such good care of me and made me feel comfortable. And they even had the Nutcase helmet I wanted. And he gave me a sweet deal on switching out to the STI shifters.

We had a bit of a debate about the size, but he said we would switch it out it the size didn't work. SUCH a relief! (Plus the smallest size is back ordered until the end of September.)

All in all, a wonderful bike shop experience! Now, I need a freaking nap, it's been a loooong day.

So, the Surly Cross Check in blacktacular is on order and will be here on Friday. WHOOO HOOOO!! :)

Thanks to all for the help!! Pictures definitely forthcoming. I scored an Acorn handlebar bag before I even had decided on a bike, so that'll probably be here by then!!

[tulip]

So you got the 50cm? Not to rain on your parade--I really hope it works for you--but I'm 5'6" and my oh-so-perfect road bike is a 49cm. But, everyone has different proportions. Just be pragmatic and if it's too big, switch it out sooner rather than later. It won't get smaller, and you probably won't get taller.

[laura*]

So you got the 50cm?

I suspect she got the 46cm. The smallest (backordered) size would be the 42cm. So thus I assume the debate was between the 42 and 46. Plus, with the 50 being only slightly too big, the 46 would have been a safe choice.

[bluegirl]

I ordered the 46. Trust me, if the 50cm had worked, I would have bought it right then and there while it was in my hot little hands! :)

Based on the top tube numbers, I was thinking I needed a 42, but both of the bike guys recommended the 46, so I bowed to their expertise - with the bonus that that one's in stock! (That inseam measuring thing is awkward!)

My ancient Jamis Aurora is a 50cm, so I think I should be ok.

And Tulip, I've been doing lots of Bikram Yoga and it's doing wonders for my core! ;) I can't wait to try out my new belly with my new bike!

[tulip]

Sounds like a plan! After you first posted, I Googled Surly dealers in Scottsdale and came up with Rage. But I figured you must have looked at them already, so I didn't mention it. Glad it worked out for you. Post pics of your bike when you get it.

[bluegirl]

Yep, Rage is indeed where I ordered it! In the end, I just went with the place closest to me! Funny that it worked out so well!

Now to somehow distract myself until Friday.

[uforgot]

I'm 5'4" and I have the 46 cross check. Their sizes are deceiving because the bottom bracket is high. It's a cross bike after all. Top tube on 46 is 525mm which lines up with a larger road bike geometry. Anyway, in normal road bike range I would ride a 50 or 52, so the 46 will probably feel pretty good to you.

[bluegirl]

Thanks uforgot! :) That's encouraging!

[bluegirl]

Hey uforgot, do you mind if I ask which Brooks you have on your Cross Check?