Any opinions on Trek Crossrip vs Surley Cross Check?

[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!!

[polly4711]

Just reading all of this now and it's so exciting! One of the girl's I ride with is a shorty... 5'3" ish. She rides the Surly Straggler, which is a CrossCheck with disc breaks, and is super in love with it. If you're concerned about the color attracting the thieves of Baltimore, you can always add other fun things to distract from the orange like a top tube pad (which you might want anyways to protect the paint from leaning against nasty sign posts), colored break cables, etc. Have fun with it.... just like the website says, it's made to do whatever you want it to do!

Please post pictures when you get it!!!

[fallstoclimb]

I probably shouldn't be doxxing myself on the internet given the nature of my recent monkey butt post, but I do love showing off my new bike ;-)

One at the shop right after purchasing:


And after adding a rack and bell, an Orioles shot (I look weirdly serious here):


I've since removed the cages and gone clipless to avoid toe overlap issues, but now that I fixed that problem I am 100% in love.