Help me decide: Crosscheck, Long Haul Trucker, Cassaroll

[Biciclista]

Don't buy a bike that's too big for you, you'll be miserable later.

[Geonz]

If you want a bicycle that can do anything, my vote would be to put an xtracycle on the mountain bike. It's still nimble and can still do a trailer if kids sitting on the back discomfits you.
do a google image search on xtracycle for a treat - and redefine normal if you can

[Geonz]

Oh, and of course, the Big DUmmy -- the electric motor on this one is optional...
http://www.surlybikes.com/2007_07_01_blog_archive.html

[lunacycles]

For many examples of the limitless usefulness of the Big Dummy, check out Tarik Saleh's blog (the last post I read had him carrying 50-gal water barrels on it!). Inspiring.

http://tsaleh.blogspot.com/

[lisacohen]

I guess I should have mentioned that I'm 5'2".

[lunacycles]

For someone 5'2" Surlys are generally not the ideal option, imo, as iirc they tend to have longer than normal top tube/reaches. Just a heads up.

[canonsue]

For someone 5'2" Surlys are generally not the ideal option, imo, as iirc they tend to have longer than normal top tube/reaches. Just a heads up.

That may be true, and I know that Margo knows more about it than I do, but I do know that my 42cm Long Haul Trucker fits me well. I am definitely not stretched out and I have a good and comfortable reach.

However, I think the Cross-Check would be too big.

-Sue