Surly Question for Knot

[blackhillsbiker]

Ok. So Surly now released the Cross Check in the one color I have been looking for forever. I learned to drive on my father's 70 Dodge Pickup. It was robin's egg blue. I swore someday I'd have a bike that color. You and I sound similarly proportioned. Longish torso, a love for Brooks B67 saddles, fit well in Levi 501s... What differences did you notice between the Cross Check and the Dew?

The Dew fits me well, except for the extreme toe overlap. I don't think I'd mind a wee bit of overlap, just not this much. I can't be stretched out much further than I am on Kona bikes without back discomfort. I'd like to switch to drop bars. I looked at the Dew Drop but that would mean the same overlap, and another aluminum bike. I want steel. A road bike is too aggressive a posture for me. I'm 5'8 1/2" with a 32" cycling inseam. My Dew is a 54. I've been looking at the specs for the 52 and the 54 Cross Check. I might even get to see one in person when we go to Denver in December, if anyone has one in stock.

Thanks!
Deb

[KnottedYet]

To me, they felt remarkably similar.

I don't recall ever having toe overlap with either bike. Occasionally I'll have a bit on the Surly with the mudflap on my fender, but I hardly consider that an issue.

The CC fits like magic and is just as comfortable as the Dew. I feel like I can put a lot more power through the CC than I can through the Dew. I did eventually take off the drop bars (after trying a couple different ones) and switch to moustache bars on the CC, which I really like.

I can ride the CC a lot longer than the Dew, because there is no fatigue from the aluminum buzz. (I'm one of those people who can feel the buzz. YMMV.)

On the whole, I'd say the CC feels like all the aspects I liked about the Dew got magnified and refined and morphed into this gorgeous simpatico steel creature, filled with fire and passion and a lust for adventure!

Which is why I bought it.

[blackhillsbiker]

What size did/do you have (Dew & CC)?
Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

54cm Dew (I think) and 52 cm Cross Check.

Be sure to use a B67 REGULAR (not short) on a 52 cm CC, so you have enough rail to slide the saddle all the way back. The B67-S (short) will drive you mad.

(oh, and I switched stems when I switched to moustache bars)

[blackhillsbiker]

I had to get an extra setback seatpost on the Dew. I'm planning to get the standard version on my next bike. The Short will stay on the Dew. I think it will remain my winter commuter, since it is aluminum, and has disc brakes. I couldn't sell it as "never crashed" since we got hit by that truck last March.

Deb

[jessmarimba]

Just a heads up, I'm not sure about any LBS in town but REI - Denver definitely has them in stock. I want one too