Cross Check lover here. Originally when I decided to get a new bike to help with weight loss I was strongly considering the Bianchi Volpe, which I test rode and loved, but decided on the Cross Check after a test ride of one that was sale ($900). I knew that going into the purchase I’d probably need to upgrade the rear wheel (I weight 400lbs) so I couldn’t justify paying $1,350 for the Volpe when my total budget was $1,500. Still, I really love my Cross Check now that I’ve put 1,500 miles on it; can’t wait to finish my first century on it!
I will say that the geometry of the CC is a little odd and most of the stock components aren’t that great but I really love mine now that I’ve made some upgrades to it. I’ve replaced the stock bar tape with Lizard Skin, upgraded the rear wheel to a Phil Wood 48h-Velocity Chukkar monster, swapped out the stock 90mm stem for a 130mm one, and gotten the Brooks B17 saddle I got for my birthday broken in. Now it rides like a dream. My next upgrade is to swap out the bar end shifters for the standard brake lever ones most road bikes have and upgrade the front wheel to match the back so I have a full 48h touring set.
That said it does have its problems. The bar end shifters are horrible, the frames run large (I’m 6’2″ and have a 56cm Cross Check but ride a 60cm in the LHT and a 58cm in most other bikes), the stock rims are really poor for larger riders (which is to be expected), and the stock seat could be used as a torture device. Still, for ~$1,000 it’s a great do-it-all “road” bike.
