joesch

I have a Straggler and love it.
Rides great on dirt and gravel!

52telecaster

That's how Aaron's is. Also it's how my bob Jackson is sort of. The bob doesn't feel dead but it feels stiff. The trucker feels like way more bike than u need until you load it.
I tour on sportier bikes now because I have it down to front load only.

Oldairhead 

I bought a Cross Check around 2010 with the intent of using as a randonneur. I outfitted it properly for rides in the PNW (Brooks, fenders, lights racks etc.) and completed a number of events on it. After several 200 and 300k brevets though I decided that I did not like the way it rode, it felt dead to me! If you are going to ride a bike from dark to dark then you want one that feels a bit more "alive." Anyway, I decommissioned it and gave it to my stepson. Oddly, it is back in my workshop again, for long term storage it appears.

reroll

That is how the Cross-Check compares to the LHT, and yes, I have both of them so can speak from experience. The LHT is famous as a world-class touring bike capable of hauling pretty much all of the cargo a world-traveling cyclist would need yet many have said that when not loaded it rides like a truck or lorry but load it up and it works fine. Now, the same big Front and Rear Surly cargo racks which fit on the LHT also fit on the Cross-Check but their cargo carrying abilities stop there. With or without those racks mounted on them, the LHT is, frankly, not an exciting bike to ride when not loaded, while the Cross-Check is comparatively lively, a pleasing bike to ride, yet put a serious load on the Cross-Check and its ride disappoints, a medium size load works fine but an LHT size load is a bit too much.

reroll

True, the Cross-Check is not a particularly lively bike, more mellow than lively, but for me on all day rides mellowness is more comfortable, that while I really do appreciate liveliness it can wear kind of thin by the end of a long day.

mstateglfr 

This is such an odd thread...for multiple reasons.

Oldairhead 

Are you going to leave us hanging?

mstateglfr 

Tough to describe, honestly. Its just weird that the thread even exists.

- its about a bike model thats been around for an incredibly long time and is hardly unknown.
- its about a new bike in a c&v forum.
- its about a relatively low end new bike(components) that isnt unique in really any manner(the typical exception for having new here).
- its geometry is pretty...unique, as are many Surly drop bar frames, to the point that they more often than not just look goofy when set up, even if the user doesnt have physical limitations.
- the op's posting style is...unique. I read their multiple posts and the whole time I was thinking about someone in their late 20s talking to their great grandfather. It was really slow and simple, like you dont want to confuse the people in the forum.

Its just funny that in 2023 someone is trying to introduce an uninspiring long standing and well known bike to a forum.
Hey- it creates conversation, so it obviously isnt bad. If someone wanted a steel frame bike with calipers, I would suggest ebay or another used site before a Cross Check. Thats based on geometry, tube spec, component spec, and overall value for those things. ...or just tell them to look into this for only $1000- https://publicbikes.com/products/pub...39362666692671



ETA- forgot to mention that the bike only comes as a flat bar too. $1100 1x8 flatbar with components from Microshift, Samox, Promax, Novatech, and Kenda.

merziac

^^^^^ So very well said.

reroll

I appreciate your writing style. You express yourself clearly.

But rather than reply all at once I plan to address each of your points individually.

reroll

Hehehe! You ain't seen nothin' yet. ;-)

merziac

bboy314

I thought maybe Surly was using a clever ai chatbot to advertise, but it seems like it’s just the op’s writing style and chosen content and it is genuine.

mstateglfr 

reroll

Yep, that is why I mentioned my not having any business involvement with Surly other than my being a Surly retail customer doing business through Surly dealers, which is entirely true.

bboy314

Yeah, that and other things you said made me feel like you’re a real person. It’s just a funny post, kind of like going on jeansforums and saying “hey, anyone heard of these “Levi’s”? They’re pretty nice!”

reroll

I am fairly new here and realize much of what I have been saying is well known to BF members but it is my intention to be a good community member and the way I see it that means I should keep in mind there could be newcomers here in particular those who would not have extensive experience with bikes so I try to maintain an inclusive writing style so they too can participate which could have the side benefit of their being here and staying here.

bboy314

Fair points. Apologies for the snark.

merziac

Those of us that have been playing along have already mostly and very much taken all that into account.

We have patiently tried to explain that you're really in the wrong forum for this, while we appreciate your passion for the brand it is misplaced here.

Surly, while plenty good enough for your purpose is not C+V, maybe KOF in a convoluted way but most of us can't get there since we make this argument for what we truly perceive as C+V.

You could and I encourage you to take this just about anywhere else and you will find scores of like minded passionate folks that will be very happy to share your view.

At the end of the day, this is not the place and while we always go out of our way to give the benefit of the doubt as we have done here, you continue to overstate the obvious that is lost on us.

Most of the supporters already here have weighed in, they and you have plenty of valid points but still and again, not C+V.

Oldairhead 

I think it would be safer to assume that most of the members here have extensive knowledge of and experience with bicycles, often extending to over half a century. Your style might sound a bit like a freshman student "splaining" things to his professors! You will probably get more out of this forum in the long run by asking questions. If you ask enough "good questions" then you may begin to earn some respect from other members. Just a thought!

RH Clark

I've wanted to get a Cross -Check but I lucked into a 2012 Long Haul Trucker that was never ridden for $500 a couple years ago and found a,1983 Miyata Six Ten in awesome shape for $125. The trucker got delegated to dirt adventure with 2.2X26" tires and my Miyata took 700-C wheels with 38mm tires with only a brake adjustment. With the heavy and light side covered it's hard to justify a Cross-Check. I do really appreciate well-built old school bikes that give you options and are easy to work on though.

The Golden Boy 

Every time you post those- I have to remind myself those are two different bikes, not two different builds of the same frame!!!

Germany_chris

I’m probably going to bring the bottom home with me next Friday so it won’t get it’s picture taken much more this year.

It’s been a really wet winter and I’m not going to turn a Sunday pleasure ride into a suck fest so I brought it to my work place and that’s when the good idea fairy’s started talking

Mr. 66

I had the Straggler in purple, I guess that denotes what year model it was.

I never used it, I'm sure it was good. I passed it along to a Surly geek. I think he already had four Surly sold one and then bought mine. I got him a great deal. lol

Beautful bassboat purple.

Again, lol, never road it. It was probably my size even.

Biketiger

This perfectly describes my sense of Surly. I bought a monkey brown 'Steamroller' (still love that name) as my first foray into single-speed bikes and it was a decent bike and all, tig welded, versatile (fatties fit fine) but a BORING, uninspiring ride. I have to admit a particular disdain for the snow-haze graphics and who does brown for the only color of the year? But, it was plug and play. Not much needed from the buyer/rider. I sold it within a year and bought an old Peugot instead