Review: Surly CrossCheck "Complete"

[KnottedYet]

http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html

Oh, girls.... sigh.

Remember how enthralled I was with the Jamis Aurora? The Surly Crosscheck has surpassed the Jamis.

Now, what I rode today was the "complete" bike, which comes as a package deal for a whole lot cheaper than doing a build-up. But it means you don't get a choice in components.
However, your LBS would probably be willing to switch out a few things.

When/if I get this gorgeous gloss black 52 cm beauty, I will have them switch the knobbies for 32mm reflective Vittoria Randonneurs, put on a taller stem, and drop the small ring from a 36t to a 34t. (and I'll add my fenders, rack, bell, lights, etc.

The Look: ooh, she's pretty! The paint is lovely, the black and silver chainrings are nice. Love the Surly logo, decals, and headbadge. The welds on the steel are smooth and nicely finished.

The Components: Ok, not top of the line here, but not total cr@p either. Mostly Shimano: Deore and Tiagra. Enough to get you started and upgrade when they wear out. The seat is narrow and sexy-looking, but not all that comfy. (I have a wide butt, and a black Brooks B67 that would look just fiiiiine on the Surly.) The Salsa Bell Lap bar looked crazy-wide to me, but after riding I found I really liked the flare in the drops. The bar end shifters can be switched from index to friction, so if you do upgrade there is no issue with compatiblity. No fear. I really liked the bar-end shifters. A lot. A lot a lot a lot. (did I mention I like the bar end shifters?) I really liked having brake levers that are JUST brake levers. And I really liked the nice narrow hoods on the brake levers. Very comfy.

The Price: Component collection kept it down to $930 for the one at my LBS. They'll give me a very nice trade-in on my Kona Dew, which just makes the whole thing more tempting. Plus I get a Team Survivor discount, which makes it even MORE tempting!

The Ride: This is what made me swoon, and has me searching for change in the sofa cushions and swearing off beer to save money. It was love. Even with the bars a bit lower than the saddle (I would want them up about an inch) it felt like it was made for me. I didn't have to think, I didn't have to "get used" to it, it was instantly made for me. Even without the bars higher, I could still play piano on the flats and ride one handed/no handed. Cyclocross geometry seems to suit me anyway, but this bike was just sensual in it's instant fit.

[Thorn]

Hmmmm...I've been toying with replacing my hybrid with a cross bike, but I don't want to spend $1300 (usual entry level price). We have a shop in town that sells the Bianchi Volpe, but it is on the other side of town and not very convenient.

My favorite shop sells Surly, but I would have to have them special order in the Crosscheck to test ride. With such a review, I'm going to have to seriously consider this. Thanks...

[KnottedYet]

Thorn: It is a VERY nice bike. Even if your shop special ordered one for you to try and you didn't want it, I'm sure they could sell it pretty quickly.

The compact double could be more compact, but for most riders I bet they'd be fine with 36t. I'm a wimp, and not ashamed to admit I'd rather have a 34t.

I really want this bike...

My LBS doesn't have a Long Haul Trucker at the moment. It's another of the Surlies I was considering. But oh, the Crosscheck just felt so good and spry! (and it is a little cheaper than the LHT)

[eofelis]

I'd love to have a Cross check, but the smallest model is still to big for me. My bf has one, in a lovely dark green color. He built it up as his tourer. He likes it a lot, and he's a picky rider.

I do have two other Surlys that I love! My 42cm Pacer road bike is pretty sweet. It's not as light and fast as most road bikes out there, but it's a smooth and sturdy all-day ride.

I really like my 42cm LHT too. It's like a tank, but climbs pretty well and descends like a rock. I hope to get it out on a real tour in a few weeks.

The 42cm Crosscheck is quite a lot bigger than the 42cm Pacer and LHT. Some of it may be due to the Crosscheck fork having A LOT of tire clearance (longer fork.) If anyone is looking to order a Crosscheck frame, check those measurements carefully: the Crosscheck runs big.

[Surlygirl]

Another Surly cross-check owner here too. My main ride these days is my Orbea Dama but I couldn't bear to let my Surly go. I have the lovely green bean color in 42. I bought mine from AEbike.com and upgraded pretty much everything on the bike myself. I love the fact you can run fat tires on it and I put a nice tubus rack on it for touring. It loves to go downhill. Steel is just so cushy. It spends most of its time on the trainer during the winter but I have had it out when I can't bear to get my Dama dirty and wet. Great bike for the money. Surlypacer, you must be a wee bit of a thing. I'm 5 feet and the 42 fit me great.

[KnottedYet]

I put the 52 cm Crosscheck on hold at the LBS.

First I rode her for an hour. We did a little bike trail, we did a little road, we did some gravel, we did a little lawn-riding. We did a LOT of dodging weekend warriors who weren't quite sure of how to behave on a busy bike trail.

The Surly handled it all just fine, she's so spry and perky!

When I (finally) took her back to the LBS they had her leaned up against a wall as they filled out the hold-slip. A dude walking in said "wow, sweet bike!"

(and I'm sure she'll look even sweeter with my springy Brooks saddle and fenders and rack! )

[eofelis]

Surlypacer, you must be a wee bit of a thing. I'm 5 feet and the 42 fit me great.

I'm 5'2" and a 70cm standover is all I can handle, which is what the Pacer and LHT are. The 42cm CC is a 72cm standover.

[dex]

Nice! I admire Surly bikes from a distance whenever I see them.

The only one I've ridden is the Long Haul Trucker, and I fell in love with it almost instantly. But since I was really looking for a city bike with flat bars at the time (my road bike was in the shop) I managed to hold my bike lust at bay. But I still think about that lovely, smooth ride often...and the truth is, I'll probably get one eventually. (There's absolutely no way I can reasonably justify yet another bike purchase for myself this quickly.)