Opinions on the Surly Cross Check?

[eminva]

@DaveK 28613 wrote:

I think I said it earlier but that’s why I sold my CC – too long of a top tube and too short a head tube for my desired seat tube length (aka my torso and arms aren’t long enough for the right size frame). If you have short legs and long monkey arms it would fit great. I mean long monkey arms in the most flattering way, of course, to allow you to swing from streetlight poles and whatnot.

Although I don’t have a Surly and no intention of buying one, I’m finding the side discussion of bike fit very interesting. The LBS salesman who sold me my way too big bike about four years ago had me try a Cross Check first. All I did was straddle it in the bike in the bike shop and he said, “Nope!” Maybe this was why — insufficiently long monkey arms. At least he got that much right . . .

I think a lot of forum participants like cross bikes for commuting, but do they make them in women specific frame sizes? I’ve never had much luck finding one that even passed the most cursory fit check for me.

@DaveK 28613 wrote:

4st7lb – is your CC black? I think I’ve seen you at Hains and thought to myself how generally awesome you are. Keep killing it out there.

I have not seen you out at Hains Point, but I agree with DaveK.

Liz

[DaveK]

@4st7lbs 28616 wrote:

Yep – I’m usually in a plain white jersey doing laps there on the weekend. I ordered the wrong color bar tape so I’ll be even easier to spot – large guy, white jersey, black CC with orange bar tape. Say hi if you see me out there.

Embrace it! Add some orange cable housing and it’ll look great! I’ll definitely say hi next time I see you.

[jrenaut]

@DaveK 28622 wrote:

Embrace it! Add some orange cable housing and it’ll look great! I’ll definitely say hi next time I see you.

Yeah, I recently replaced the black tape on my black and white Giant with red tape just so I could have some color on my bike.

[NicDiesel]

@DaveK 28622 wrote:

Embrace it! Add some orange cable housing and it’ll look great! I’ll definitely say hi next time I see you.

I was so heartbroken when the wheel guy said the Velocity Deep Vs wouldn’t be strong enough for me and that I should go with the Chukkar instead. I could take paying $400 for a hub to support my weight, not being able to get orange rims was a real gut punch though. Brooks does offer an orange B17 though, at least I can get that to match the tape.

[jopamora]

@DaveK 28622 wrote:

Embrace it! Add some orange cable housing and it’ll look great! I’ll definitely say hi next time I see you.

Uh, do I know you? I just added orange brake cable housing.

[mstone]

@4st7lbs 28625 wrote:

I was so heartbroken when the wheel guy said the Velocity Deep Vs wouldn’t be strong enough for me and that I should go with the Chukkar instead. I could take paying $400 for a hub to support my weight, not being able to get orange rims was a real gut punch though. Brooks does offer an orange B17 though, at least I can get that to match the tape.

I tried the orange B17, it’s more brown.

[DaveK]

@jopamora 28627 wrote:

Uh, do I know you? I just added orange brake cable housing.

I’ve suggested orange housing to a frightening number of people. Only one of which crashed his bike thereafter.

[wilesto]

@eminva 28619 wrote:

Although I don’t have a Surly and no intention of buying one, I’m finding the side discussion of bike fit very interesting. The LBS salesman who sold me my way too big bike about four years ago had me try a Cross Check first. All I did was straddle it in the bike in the bike shop and he said, “Nope!” Maybe this was why — insufficiently long monkey arms. At least he got that much right . . .

I actually ended up getting a size smaller than I needed. The 62cm they had in stock was “technically” the right size per standover etc., but it felt a little unwieldy underneath me. I had them get a 60, which feels much more maneuverable than the 62 but also much more stable than my old 57cm Poprad. I ended up with just what I wanted, so I’m happy! And that robins-egg blue is just so pretty…

[KelOnWheels]

One of those light blue Cross Checks with orange cable housing would be purty. I would like such a thing.

Is there no 48cm frame on the Cross Check? That seems odd. A 50cm might be OK though.

[Author]

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