Got A Cross Check
#1
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Got A Cross Check
I have been commuting for almost a year on a Hybrid (Trek 7100) and through the winter as well. and I just got My Cross check in. I just rode it home and it's a big change lol. I was reading some people complaining it was heavy which means they must have been comparing it to some other bikes because to me it's way lighter then my hybrid. Anyways, it's pretty bare right now and I am looking for suggestions on what kind of rack/fenders to put on it. Also, even though i ride alot i am still pretty clueless about bike mechanics. Why does my hybrid have different gearing then the cross-check? Advice is appreciated.
#2
Senior Member
Compared to my tourer bike , my Cross Check in light. I think those who think the Cross Check heavy are race types. For carrying stuff, one needs a heavier bike. Usually , when commuting some where, speed / racing is hardly a concern.
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#4
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I got the brown. For some reason i wanted that. People told me to get the black but it's mine and I'm sick of black. Guess i'm an Odd Duck. Grats on your cross-check as well.
#5
surly old man
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I have a CC, and I dearly love it.
Is it light? Well, for its type (steel framed CX bike) it is not all that light. I am not terribly concerned about it, given how I use it, but frankly it could be made of better tubing than it is. For the price, I think this would not be an unreasonable expectation of it. So, I consider the criticism of its weight to be legitimate.
However, its many virtues are real and substantial. That bike is practically my best friend.
jim
Is it light? Well, for its type (steel framed CX bike) it is not all that light. I am not terribly concerned about it, given how I use it, but frankly it could be made of better tubing than it is. For the price, I think this would not be an unreasonable expectation of it. So, I consider the criticism of its weight to be legitimate.
However, its many virtues are real and substantial. That bike is practically my best friend.
jim
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Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
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Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
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SB forever
#6
Senior Member
I had a mechanic go to bat for me.. I contacted Surly on my own. There were no red CC frames left. I told the mechanic at the shop I wanted red. He ordered red and I got red.
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#7
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Brown IS Down!
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The frame is a bit over 4lbs. That's not terribly heavy. But the cross check ships with pretty heavy wheels and inexpensive components. Don't blame the frame!
My cross check is heavy because I carry 6lbs of locks. Plus my stuff! I can still throw it back and forth up a hill which is more than I could say for the aluminum mountain bike I used to commute on.
My cross check is heavy because I carry 6lbs of locks. Plus my stuff! I can still throw it back and forth up a hill which is more than I could say for the aluminum mountain bike I used to commute on.
#9
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So any advice on Racks or fenders? I never got a rack with the other bike cuz i kept putting it off. I kept using my bookbag but that has got to come to an end.
#10
Share the road.
Welcome to the Cross Check world. I have the dark green one. I bought it frame/fork and put it together over time.
Currently I rock the Topeak explorer rack with grocery bag panniers made by Detours and sometimes I roll with the trunk bag that came as part of the rack deal. I would suggest the Tubus logo rack. It has the pannier bar lower than the top bar so you can put a wide bag on top. I have one on order.
Currently I rock the Topeak explorer rack with grocery bag panniers made by Detours and sometimes I roll with the trunk bag that came as part of the rack deal. I would suggest the Tubus logo rack. It has the pannier bar lower than the top bar so you can put a wide bag on top. I have one on order.
#11
Senior Member
I recommend Planet Bike Cascadia touring fenders. Due to the generous clearances on the Cross Check, you'll need to come up with some creative solutions to make the fenders sit parallel to the circumference of the tire. This is purely an issue to aesthetics. See my signature for my solution.
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I have the dark green CC. Came from Jamis Hybrid and the CC was way lighter than that. My gearing was quite different going to the CC- I have a compact double Campy setup versus a pretty generic shimano thingy on the Jamis. Jamis I was always in the top gear and felt like it was not enough on flats, the CC rarely in top gear except for the descents. I just got a Brooks Flyer b/c my ass was missing the suspension seat post - the missing link.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
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All you folks riding a CrossCheck...
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
I've looked at a few bikes that have the barend shifters (like the CC, another being the Masi Speciale Randonneur https://www.masibikes.com/tab4_subNav2.php )
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift alot to keep cadence).
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
I've looked at a few bikes that have the barend shifters (like the CC, another being the Masi Speciale Randonneur https://www.masibikes.com/tab4_subNav2.php )
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift alot to keep cadence).
#14
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Way cool. I had a green one that I bought 4 years ago. Got hit on my way to work two weeks ago. Just got my replacement... another Cross-Check. Bummed that the green is no longer available, so went with black. Not a bad looking frame.
regarding accessories: any sturdy rack will do. Fenders: SKS 35mm are good, but if you need beefy tires, go with the wider fenders. I have attached quite a bit of reflective tape to the rims, crank and frame for night-time visibility (commute when it's dark). Suggest bright blinkies and strong head-light.
As for shifters, I still use down-tube shifters on my CC, unless I have it as fixed-gear.
regarding accessories: any sturdy rack will do. Fenders: SKS 35mm are good, but if you need beefy tires, go with the wider fenders. I have attached quite a bit of reflective tape to the rims, crank and frame for night-time visibility (commute when it's dark). Suggest bright blinkies and strong head-light.
As for shifters, I still use down-tube shifters on my CC, unless I have it as fixed-gear.
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All you folks riding a CrossCheck...
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
I've looked at a few bikes that have the barend shifters (like the CC, another being the Masi Speciale Randonneur https://www.masibikes.com/tab4_subNav2.php )
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift alot to keep cadence).
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
I've looked at a few bikes that have the barend shifters (like the CC, another being the Masi Speciale Randonneur https://www.masibikes.com/tab4_subNav2.php )
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift alot to keep cadence).
#16
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Delta Universal Mega Rack. Bombproof. My bags are Jandd Saddlebags...not a lot of room and aren't waterproof. Ortliebs would be the choice, but they're pricey. Worth it, though. Will be getting them for my tourer. My fenders are SKS Raceblades as I swap them from bike to bike as needed. They're not GREAT, but will keep the 'upsplash' off somewhat.
#17
Senior Member
Fenders: without a doubt, Planet Bike Freddy Fenders. They are durable, offer good coverage, and fit well on the Cross Check.
Rack: I have a Jandd Expedition rack. It fits and works well on the Cross Check. It is a longer rack than most, so for those concerned about heel-strike issues (given that the Cross Check has shorter stays than a touring bike), the Jandd Expedition rack works well.
Given that, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't even get a rack. In fact, I don't even use my Jandd Expedition because I got a Nelson Longflap and no longer need the rack (though I'm hanging onto it for now). I've done over 2000 commuting miles on my Cross Check, about half of which was without the rack but with the Longflap. I've found the Longflap is the ideal commuter bag (at least for me).
Rack: I have a Jandd Expedition rack. It fits and works well on the Cross Check. It is a longer rack than most, so for those concerned about heel-strike issues (given that the Cross Check has shorter stays than a touring bike), the Jandd Expedition rack works well.
Given that, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't even get a rack. In fact, I don't even use my Jandd Expedition because I got a Nelson Longflap and no longer need the rack (though I'm hanging onto it for now). I've done over 2000 commuting miles on my Cross Check, about half of which was without the rack but with the Longflap. I've found the Longflap is the ideal commuter bag (at least for me).
#18
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I have a green frame, it's about 4 years old and replaced the "blood red" one I had before. I have Planet Bike fenders and Dura Ace downtube shifters also, just replaced the drive train this weekend-sweet.
#19
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All you folks riding a CrossCheck...
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift a lot to keep cadence).
I got a question. I'm in that (as someone stated in another thread) "selection paralysis" phase of hunting for a new bike.
How do the barend shifters work during in-town commutes? I'm concerned that I would be driving single handed most of the time (I feel like I usually shift a lot to keep cadence).
#20
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I've had my Cross-Check since '04 and it's essentially replaced my ti road bike as my bike of choice, simply because I can take it anywhere. Yes, it's heavier than my Airborne Valkyrie, but that's because I have a rear rack, a pack and fenders. When I take that stuff off for cleaning or whatever, it feels pretty reasonable.
As far as bar-end shifters, like a lot of folks posting here, I wasn't sure I'd like them but I was wrong. I find them remarkably easy to deal with - move hand, shift, move hand back, all in the course of a second or two. Plus you can feather the derailleur when the chainrings rub - I love that capability.
Cross-Check's a great bike, congratulations and enjoy!
As far as bar-end shifters, like a lot of folks posting here, I wasn't sure I'd like them but I was wrong. I find them remarkably easy to deal with - move hand, shift, move hand back, all in the course of a second or two. Plus you can feather the derailleur when the chainrings rub - I love that capability.
Cross-Check's a great bike, congratulations and enjoy!
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As far as fenders, I have Planet Bike Hardcore 45's. They work ok for tires up to about 38mm. I would prefer something else. The Cascadias are definetly nicer.
Best wishes with the CC. I ordered mine as a frame/fork only & built it up. It has been in several different configurations from 9 speed (down tube shifters) road race, cyclo cross, & now it is setup as an 8 speed commuting bike with riser bars, fenders, rack, and B&M bottle generator & led lights. It may be a little heavy (as far as frame & fork), but it is very well built and versatile.