Seatpost/Surly Cross-Check Question...

[Kubla]

Sounds like you have decided no on this bike. But as a Surly Dealer, I just have to chime in and say that we would be extremely hesitant to sell you a 50cm cross check as we both feel it would be to small. How do you intend to use this bike. Is there a knowledgeable Surly dealer in your area,(not a race bike shop that can order in Surly's) I would rather have you on a 52 and then fine tune the fit with stems, handlebars and saddle position. If you came in our door we would have you ride the 52 and the 54 and super discourage the idea of a 50.

Sky King, I don't plan to use the CC for anything remotely aggressive. I just want it for recreational riding and light off-road trails. I can't imagine that a 54 would fit, though. Has the sizing changed since I rode the 2010? (My Dolce is a 54, but I know women's bikes are sized differently.)

[Sky King]

Kubla, Again hard to say without measuring and riding. We would start with your PBH (pubic bone height) and go from there. We find that riders coming from aggressive race position and some MTB positions feel "stretched out" at first as the position on the bike is a different. We are huge fans of the Surly CC for the type of riding you are wanting it for. Here is a nice place to start regarding bike fit, this article is geared to touring bike fit but discusses bike types too. http://biketouringnews.com/what-size...-touring-bike/

[Kubla]

Thank you for the additional fit information, Sky King. I'll have to look into getting my pubic bone measurement. For that matter, I'm not even sure of my inseam, but I'm pretty certain it's less than 30". My torso is proportionately longer-without a doubt. For years, I road men's bikes without any fit problems. It wasn't until I became a more serious rider that I found out why they fit so well.

I really did like the CC when I rode it, and I am a big fan of steel frames. The Aurora is a fantastic ride; I have no regrets about buying it. If I were to buy a CC, I'd try to configure it a bit differently so they would be more distinct rides.