Surly Cross-Check sizing for the ladies, please!

[aepfeifer]

Hi all! I'm getting ready to purchase a Cross-Check and am in a dilemma about sizing. I'm nearly 5'4 and am having trouble deciding between the 42cm and a 46cm. I have given each a test ride and both sizes and both feel very good, but just slightly more reach is felt on the 46cm, and a little less cramped. I'm leaning toward going with the 46cm.

This will be my first cyclocross bike, so I'm expecting to feel like it's a bit more aggressive than the little commuter bike I'm riding now. Any help or advice from anyone would be appreciated!

[zoom-zoom]

A friend of mine who is about my size (she's about 5'3", I am closer to 5'4") has the 42. I borrowed it and liked it. I think they run a bit bigger than my Redline Conquest, which is a 44...they're probably pretty comparable. I think I'd be going through the same dilemma that you are. Do you plan to do CX races with it? I might encourage you to go smaller if you're between sizes (and maybe try a longer stem). If you are planning to ride it more on the road you might like the 46 more.

[zoom-zoom]

One thing to keep in mind is that most people seem to go for less aero positioning on a CX bike...perhaps thinking in terms of something midway between a road bike and a mtn. bike. I would personally not want to be as aggressively positioned on a CX bike, since you're going to want some degree of "body english" ability. And a bigger bike will weigh more, which you'll feel every time you have to cart that baby over a barrier or up a hill.

[Owlie]

They run big, by all accounts. I'm nearly 5'7" and am looking at the 46 or 50! (Granted, short torso, but still!)

[Owlie]

That makes me think I need to find somewhere to test a 50, Owlie. They only had that one 52, hate to fall into that trap. Sigh. Why can't it be easy? :)

The 46 is probably on the short side, but the 50 may be on the long side for me. The 50, I think, has a 53.5 TT.

[DebSP]

I have a 46 on order. I didn't get to try one in my size as they only had a 52 which was much too big. I spent an hour with the guys at the shop before deciding but I am still nervous about the fit. If it comes on time, I can pick it up next Wednesday. I alternate between being very excited (how many sleeps?) and studying the geometry charts! I am about 5'5" and I have a 29-1/2" inseam. The 50 has a 30-1/4" stand over size. I figured I was better off with the 46 since it has a 29-1/2" stand over. A bike that is too tall that way makes me nervous in case I'm off the bike quickly! I can always get a bit longer stem if I need to.

[Owlie]

I'm going solely by geometry charts; we have one or two Surly dealers around here, but they don't have the smaller sizes on the floor.

Side note: I'm not enamored of that weird green color for 2013. Also not a fan of black, for some reason. I'd buy the frameset and have it sandblasted and powder-coated in British racing green. ;) That way I can build it up with more "road" parts.