Surly Bike Owners

Surly Cross Check - general thoughts? Been offered one for £450 and am looking to build it back up as a gravel smasher.

Seems like it might fit the bill if not being exactly on the money. How do you imagine it would work? Should i be looking to spend my money on a different bike in the Surly range instead maybe?

Pm'd you

What do you want from it, specifically?
It will build into a gravel bike easily enough

Too expensive

For just a frame, I'd agree.

It IS for a whole bike but as far as I can tell the components are a bit sucky... basically just wanted something that is a bit gravelly. A bit toury. Nowt particularly special. But something that can take a bit of a beating.

All very useful comments though - what kind of price point should I be bargaining them down to?!

Really depends on the state of the frame and the state and quality of the components. Framesets on here tend to sell for £200 to £250.

It’s a super versatile frame - I’ve had mine as a gravelly bike, as a riser bar equipped fixed gear and now it’s going towards some kind of single speed Rando vibe. Do I need it given my other bikes? No. Would I sell it? Unlikely.

I'd say a large choosing point depends how much you love/hate/are indifferent to rim brakes.
Personally I'd choose a straggler over a cross check any day of the year because I think rim brakes suck.

I don't think 450 is terrible price if its in a condition that means you don't have to spend to ride it (e.g discovering the chain and cassette are ffff'd and the tyres need replacing) and it fits you and happy to ride it as it is. If you are going to do change all the bits, maybe just wait for a frame and fork to come up rather than enjoying your wallet on filling your parts bin with crap that you nor anyone else wants...

You have articulated what the itching part at the back of my brain was thinking. Definitely don’t need any more junk in my parts box. Thanks again all!

So many "clear out" threads on an the forums with people failing to sell tat...

I refuse to jump in on this trend. I'll just keep hoarding my rubbish like any good person should and force my next of kin to sort it out when I pass to the other side.

Very gallant of you..

My cc in gravel, audax and tour modes. It's a great bike. But braking is an after thought

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8 pack rack still available

I think 'fully' redesigned is pushing it, but there's now a TA Disc Trucker...

https://surlybikes.com/blog/surly_disc_trucker_fully_redesigned_for_your_riding_pleasure

Just finished this - even made sure the bars matched the door handle and light switch

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Yeah, maybe, but the size of the chainring doesn't quite match that of the disk rotors, does it? :)

Oh that is tempting!!

Nice! Looking forward to getting my 1x1 built up, even thought it's really a bit small for me :(

Meh only 47mm tyres...

What's all that about. Delete my previous interest.

Haha, it’s 32T just a tiny 104BCD

Stopping power > gear inches?

Here it is, gentrified and ready for duty. Planning to switch front rack to something with more load capacity, like Pelago commuter maybe. This'll do for the time being....

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No no no... Satin and chrome ain't the same....

Off to Screwfix for your for a new door handle...

What is the general consensus on decals? Mine are pretty bashed to the point the bike became a "URIY" "STPAG" - Thanks bikepacking bags.

For years I've been in line with them saying "Or three, cope. Scratched decals indicate that you use your bike and are not simply an anal-retentive poseur." Now it is starting to bother me a bit.

Do You Clearcoat Over Your Decals, or Why Do My Decals Sometimes Scratch Off?
There is no clearcoat on our frames. We do this for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it is one less step in the production process and saves you money. As well, if you're like us you may have reasons you don't want any identifying marks on your frame. For you, our decals are removable. If you want to remove the decals use a credit card or a plastic spoon or something else with a somewhat hard edge to flake the decals off. Don't use anything too hard, because you could gouge or scratch the paint. Use a hair dryer to soften the adhesive prior to poking at the decals with the credit card edge. Once the decal is removed, apply adhesive remover with a clean soft cloth to remove remaining adhesive. Finish with rubbing alcohol or multipurpose cleaner to make it look all pro. If you are alarmed by scratched decals you have basically three choices: One, pony up and have someone clearcoat the frame. Two, replace the scratched decals; we offer complete decal sets for all our models. Or three, cope. Scratched decals indicate that you use your bike and are not simply an anal-retentive poseur.