Any opinions on Trek Crossrip vs Surley Cross Check?

[fallstoclimb]

I think you're right. This bike search has been so frustrating. We even have a women-specific shop nearby (well, its one half of a "normal" shop) but they basically only carry road bikes and hybrids.

[fallstoclimb]

I think I'm priced out of the Vaya. It just seems silly to lock an almost-$1500 bike up outside on a frequent basis. I realize $1400 is only a little more than $1250, but then $1500 is only a little more than $1400 and suddenly I'll start looking at Space Ghosts, etc.

This is also surprising to me because my road bike only cost about $950. I didn't expect that all the touring/cross bikes would be more expensive.

[Jolt]

How about something like a Surly Troll built with drop bars and smooth tires? Would be an excellent commuter. Should have better stand over than a cross, anyway. And is available as a frame set so you can build exactly as you want. It uses 26" tires, which could be an advantage in fit. (Or maybe a Salsa Vaya, the size 50 has a 50 cm tt, and fits a lot of more petit TE'ers well). They aren't aluminum, but I can't think of any aluminum equivalent that might fit. (Unless, check Kona maybe?).

Any of those old-style rigid mountain bike frame sets could work as a converted cross with lower clearance.

Vaya is available is three builds and frame sets at different price points. Cheapest is about 1400, most expensive 3.5 grand.
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya

Well, if you're looking at setting up a Troll with drop bars, why not just get a Long Haul Trucker? That comes with drop bars already, will probably be a lot more efficient to ride on roads (never ridden a Troll but that bike seems to be more off-road oriented and probably not as much fun to ride on pavement) and comes in small sizes with 26" wheels to fit short people without having toe overlap. I am a little under 5' 3" and ride a 46 cm. Another nice bike that seems like it would suit your intended use is the Bianchi Volpe, which also comes in small enough sizes for shorter people (I test rode the 46 cm which fit well). It has 700c wheels but I don't remember noticing major toe overlap during the test ride. However, it is another steel frame which you said you weren't sure you wanted.

[fallstoclimb]

Oh the Volpe does look nice though....

[Jolt]

Oh the Volpe does look nice though....

There is also a less expensive version called the Lupo with lower-end components, depending on your budget. Then you could always upgrade those parts later as they wear out.

[malkin]

Have you tried any 2nd hand bikes?
There are advantages and disadvantages of course, but at least you can go and look at 'em and take a ride.

[fallstoclimb]

Have you tried any 2nd hand bikes?
There are advantages and disadvantages of course, but at least you can go and look at 'em and take a ride.

I've been looking for months - no used inventory in my size, on Craigslist or bike shops unfortunately.

[fallstoclimb]

Test rode the Trek Crossrip, felt too stretched out and it wasn't really a ton of fun. They had a 50 cm Long Haul Trucker in stock, which wasn't the right size at all, but I took it for a short spin just to try out the steel and was really happy with the ride. I ended up ordering a Surly Cross Check in a 42, and if it's too small I can return for store credit and order the 46.

I'm a little bummed I didn't test ride the Bianchi Volpe, but the only local Bianchi dealer is pretty far away, and I really like the shop I ordered the Surly from.

Was SUPER excited right after I placed the order, although now I am transitioning into the predictable buyers-fear stage. It will probably go away once the Surly comes in and I get to ride it. And if it doesn't work out, we will get the deposit back as store credit which we will spend. The Surlys seem so customizable and durable which is really attractive.

[fallstoclimb]

Orange! I have mixed feelings on that - I live in Birdtown so it may make it more attractive to thieves - but it was the only one available. I'm back to being really excited.
(And I think I'm going to buy a second U lock!)

[fallstoclimb]

I think the New York kryptonite one is supposed to be the most successful. Expensive, but worth it. Just looked at the orange. It's stunning! My last road bike was orange.

You plan on leaving it locked and unattended often?

Well, yeah, unfortunately. This is my around-town and commuter bike (and possibly eventually my car replacement bike). Work is fairly secure because there are security guards and cameras outside, and my immediate town isn't a high-bike theft area, so I'm fairly confident it'll be okay with the u-locks.

[fallstoclimb]

Should be this week!!