LBS Etiquette?

[TrekDianna]

I don't know where you are, but if you're near an REI they do (usually) carry some Surly bikes and would probably be more likely to order a smaller size without requiring you to buy it. Heck, you may even be able to order one online from them and return it if it doesn't work, though that would be a big pain in the butt and shipping wouldn't be cheap.

And the good thing about REI is that you can order online for Store pick up so if you don't like it, you don't have to leave with it.

[nuliajuk]

If you aren't stuck on a Surly, there are other good makes to look at in steel bikes. Since you're in Canada, you also have access to Rocky Mountain (Sherpa 30) and Opus (Legato and Largo). And if you're not stuck on a pure touring bike and there's a Jamis dealer in town, Jamis makes the steel Satellite and Quest in women's specific models.
From a geometry standpoint, the Satellite Femme and Quest Femme come the closest to the bike you already have. Their 48 cm model has a top tube length of 50.5 cm and a stand-over clearance of 72.6cm, with angle of 71.5 head tube/75.5 seat tube. This is nearly identical to a 48 cm Dolce.

[Sky King]

We are a Surly Bike Shop, we are super small so we don't keep the cross check in stock as we just don't have the room. We stock every size of the LHT and usually size someone and then order their bike, we try to avoid selling the bikes we have in stock - may sound weird to some but it works for us. We also will not ship a complete bike unless we have met the customer and personally fitted them to a bike.
Having said that, a true Surly shop (and sorry REI doesn't count) should be able to measure you and feel confident in ordering the right size cross check for you.
While I shop at REI for many things I have yet to meet someone at REI that knows enough about bikes to do a good job selling the correct bike.
The guy who tried to talk you out of steel is probably sitting on to much inventory and wanting to clear his floor, don't think I would be going back there.

Good luck in your search, stick to your guns and get the bike that works for you!

[DebSP]

Oh My Goodness! I did it! I ordered a Surly Cross Check in my size in Robin Egg Blue! OK, now that I got that out I will tell you what happened. I must make amends for my earlier statement! I called the bike shop that wanted to sell me a 2009 bike that I didn't really want off the floor and told them that I had my heart set on a Surly Cross Check. I asked when I could start looking into getting one for 2013. It was a different guy and he looked it up on the computer and said that he could get me a 46 if that was what I need (size wise) in a week! I feel maybe I was not assertive enough with the first guy. I have never been assertive enough and I should know better by now. (Thanks Sky King!) The shop was great. I was there for an hour this morning and Neil sent me out on different bikes and he looked at the geometry of my current road bike and the seat position and handle bar position and made recommendations based on that. We decided on the 46 and it will be in a week from Monday! And I tell you the guy who served me last time was there and we chatted about the Surly's and he was great too. (Must be assertive! Must be assertive!) Or at the least be clear about what I want and what I don't want! I am so excited!

[nuliajuk]

Good for you! We can't wait to see pics of the new bike.

[Sky King]

Way to GO!!! Hope you love it. Now as for the saddle.... ugh, I do not like the saddles that come stock at all.

[DebSP]

Update: Well I got my new Cross Check on Saturday. When I picked it up my husband bought me a Brooks B17 to go on it (as an early Christmas present!). They left the steertube uncut so I go back tomorrow to have it adjusted. I can try any different lengths I want until I feel comfortable and then they will cut it for me. So I went out on Sunday for an hour and I thought Ok this is pretty good on gravel roads which is what I wanted. I went out after work last night and I came home thinking that this was the biggest (bicycle) mistake I have made! I wanted to cry. New seat, new gearing, new shifters, new geometry etc. etc. But there was still something about the way it rides on gravel and pavement that attracted me and made me want to like the bike! Well tonight I went out and it was pure magic! I fell in love. I guess I am just not an easy date. I stayed out for an hour and 45 minutes and I could have gone longer. It just seemed to click. I still don't think I am going to like the bar end shifters, but I can live with them for the rest of this year. I don't think I could articulate what it is about the Surly that I fell in love with. It is just a feeling you get when it suddenly all feels right.