|   JS Haiku Shop - Questions??? | stlman
Jan 22, 2003 6:20 AM | | Your ride reports along with everyone elses are the highlights of this board. I have a few questions (or want your opinion). Is your Surly your primary bike? I currently ride a IF crown jewel and am considering a commuter/winter/rain/all around fun bike, the roads here in NE are UGLY until April, especially now with 2'+ snow and -2 degree temps. Can you give me some pros and cons of the bike for my situation?
Thanks. |
| re: JS Haiku Shop - Questions??? | JS Haiku Shop
Jan 22, 2003 9:10 AM | | my primary bike changes as do the seasons and weather. i'm also riding a surly steamroller (single speed, freewheel--not fixed gear *yet*) through the fall and winter months.
the cross-check has taken me over the climbs of georgia's 6-gap century, over local roads for many long-distance rides, and through a few cyclocross races, all with flying colors, and all in the last few months. it was relatively inexpensive (about $1300 as is from excelsports.com, with ultegra, open pros, and canti brakes in their "'cross kit"), and rides with qualities of more sought-after frames.
the only strikes against the bike so far are the decals (paint job not clear coated over decals, so they're flaking off--on both surlys), and the fact that it's steel, and will rust if not carefully maintained. others might point out the weight, but i'm not concerned about it. if water/rust/salt/etc. is a huge concern in your area, you might consider an AL cross bike--excel has a redline in the same price range (but i don't know anything about redline).
i've had a few incidents with gravity on the surly, one this weekend on the road, with no ill effects as far as the frame was concerned. a pretty good couple of dings in the top tube left only a nick in the top coat or coats of paint, under which more paint can be seen. no structural damage, and i fell pretty dramatically.
I consider the cross-check a swiss-army knife, or the ultimate multi-tool, as it's suited for so many different applications. this year it will see a couple crits and road races (with the triple and canti brakes, LOL), several brevets, numerous 100+ mile training rides, and the cyclocross season, so far as my legs hold up. it has fender mounts front & back, too.
in the warm months, my "main ride" will be one of two merckx bikes, but the surly will continually be fed and often allowed to stretch its legs.
-J |
| Thanks for the info... (nm) | stlman
Jan 22, 2003 9:53 AM | | |
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