Upgrade my trusty Cross Check, or..no?
06-11-20, 10:36 PM
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Upgrade my trusty Cross Check, or..no?
I have a 2016 CC, Cuba Libre brown, that I bought as the stock ss model at the time. Aside from functional/performance/fit upgrades--stem, rear cog, bars, bars, pedals--the usual---it's pretty bare bones stock. Avid V-brakes, whatever this no-name crankset is, stock Knards, Alex wheels etc. It's flat bar now, but has been drop bar and geared at times. Flat bar/ss is it's happy place for me. It works great. It sees road to singletrack.
I also have a "modern" gravel bike that I mostly ride 'cause I live near the mountains, but ultimately, I love the 'Check. I'd keep it over the other bike if it came down to it. I see myself riding it when I'm older and grayer, def as a singlespeed.
So if I was gonna put a little $ into it, give it some love, what would you do first? Better wheels I assume, but what else? Do a total Paul Comp makeover?
As I say, it works, but I'm not looking for "if it ain't broke" replies. I want to have a little fun and maybe spend a few bucks to make it a little more special. I love tubeless on my gravel rig, but...should I go there on a bike like this? Any ideas welcome.
In other words, show me your dialed singlespeed Cross Checks!
I also have a "modern" gravel bike that I mostly ride 'cause I live near the mountains, but ultimately, I love the 'Check. I'd keep it over the other bike if it came down to it. I see myself riding it when I'm older and grayer, def as a singlespeed.
So if I was gonna put a little $ into it, give it some love, what would you do first? Better wheels I assume, but what else? Do a total Paul Comp makeover?
As I say, it works, but I'm not looking for "if it ain't broke" replies. I want to have a little fun and maybe spend a few bucks to make it a little more special. I love tubeless on my gravel rig, but...should I go there on a bike like this? Any ideas welcome.
In other words, show me your dialed singlespeed Cross Checks!
Last edited by pbass; 06-11-20 at 10:49 PM.
06-12-20, 06:54 AM
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First: Tires. Treat yourself to some premium rubber. By far the easiest and cheapest upgrade that you can do to almost any bike.
Next: Wheels. Nice hubs, light rims and triple-butted spokes will liven up the ride. I wouldn’t bother with carbon on a rim brake bike. Use a free hub so you can still go back to geared if you want
Third: Thompson stem and seatpost. Will shed some weight and provide some light bling.
Fourth: Cranks. The stock Andel cranks, while durable, are a good place to shed some weight.
All just my opinions, and I’m sure many will disagree.
Next: Wheels. Nice hubs, light rims and triple-butted spokes will liven up the ride. I wouldn’t bother with carbon on a rim brake bike. Use a free hub so you can still go back to geared if you want
Third: Thompson stem and seatpost. Will shed some weight and provide some light bling.
Fourth: Cranks. The stock Andel cranks, while durable, are a good place to shed some weight.
All just my opinions, and I’m sure many will disagree.
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06-12-20, 10:07 AM
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First: Tires. Treat yourself to some premium rubber. By far the easiest and cheapest upgrade that you can do to almost any bike.
Next: Wheels. Nice hubs, light rims and triple-butted spokes will liven up the ride. I wouldn’t bother with carbon on a rim brake bike. Use a free hub so you can still go back to geared if you want
Third: Thompson stem and seatpost. Will shed some weight and provide some light bling.
Fourth: Cranks. The stock Andel cranks, while durable, are a good place to shed some weight.
All just my opinions, and I’m sure many will disagree.
Next: Wheels. Nice hubs, light rims and triple-butted spokes will liven up the ride. I wouldn’t bother with carbon on a rim brake bike. Use a free hub so you can still go back to geared if you want
Third: Thompson stem and seatpost. Will shed some weight and provide some light bling.
Fourth: Cranks. The stock Andel cranks, while durable, are a good place to shed some weight.
All just my opinions, and I’m sure many will disagree.
EDIT: also considering some Paul Motolite brakes - they ain't cheap, but they sure look cool.
Last edited by pbass; 06-12-20 at 10:19 AM.
06-17-20, 09:01 AM
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Agreed that tires would be the first place I would look. I have no firsthand experience with the Knard but it seems like a heavy tire. There are plenty of modern alternatives that should be lighter, faster rolling, and grippier.
Paul brakes are very nice.
Paul brakes are very nice.
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06-17-20, 12:53 PM
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The Knards are perfectly functional, and they actually do quite well off-road where I live. But yeah, comparing specs, they are on the heavy side. I'm about to pull the trigger on some new rubber---might just grab some Gravelkings as they're pretty affordable, and lighter...
06-17-20, 05:18 PM
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I sold my Cross Check to replace it with a carbon road bike in 2016, but there are times when i think about picking up another one and making it my own - probably as a SS. But, my biggest gripe was the toe-overlap. I'm not sure I'd go back to that bike because of it. But, that aside, the CC is a great looking bike, and you should absolutely make it shine.
06-17-20, 06:42 PM
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I sold my Cross Check to replace it with a carbon road bike in 2016, but there are times when i think about picking up another one and making it my own - probably as a SS. But, my biggest gripe was the toe-overlap. I'm not sure I'd go back to that bike because of it. But, that aside, the CC is a great looking bike, and you should absolutely make it shine.
Last edited by pbass; 06-17-20 at 07:11 PM.
06-17-20, 07:32 PM
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bill nyecycles
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Mine was a 52, and it was a little big for me, so we aren't that far off from each other size wise it seems.
Still, a SS CC makes a great ripper - flat or drop bars!
Still, a SS CC makes a great ripper - flat or drop bars!
06-17-20, 08:23 PM
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I had a 52 and it was at various times drop bar, flat, geared, ss--you name it. Always struggled with the fit. Traded my 52 frame for a 50 with another guy who had the exact same color--a total score. It's flat bar now but I'm confident it would fit me now drop bar as well. It's funny, I love my "modern" gravel bike, but this 'ol rim brake CC is a total keeper--I plan on riding it into the sunset. There's something about the way these ride....
