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My thoughts on life, design, and simplicity.

2014 Surly Cross Check

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Surly Cross Check

Frame- 4130 Chromoly Steel

Size- 52CM

Color- Blark Due


 

There is no such thing as one bike fits all. Different people like different types of bikes for different reasons. The Surly brand is no exception. For me, I really enjoy their philosophy on what a bike should be - a workhorse. They make some of the best quality mass-produced bikes out there. The Surly Cross Check is a great example of this. It has amazing tire/fenders clearances, great geometry, generous rear dropout space for running fixed, and can fit 130mm to 135mm hub sizes. All of these merge together and make it a great bike for commuting. 

I purchased this used frame and fork to build up a commuter/gravel bike. I finished the V1 build by keeping things simple, a single-speed drivetrain, flat bars, and basket. After about a year of riding that set up, I was longing for two things, drop bars and more gears. After harvesting some parts from another bike, and raiding used parts bins, I finally found the build that ticked all the boxes for me. This bike feels right at home on the streets and in the dirt which means I usually end up taking the long way home.

BUILD LIST:

Brakes- TRP CX9 mini v

Brake levers- Sram S500 

Bar Tape- Cinelli Mike Giant Edition

Basket- Wald 137 Black

Bottom Bracket- FSA Powerdrive 68x 108mm  

Casette- Sunrace MX3 11-40t

Chainring- Raceface NW single 42t 

Crankset- FSA Vero 165mm 

Handlebars- Salsa Cowbell 2 44cm

Headset- Chris King 1-1/8 threadless

Hubs- Shimano Ultegra FH-6800

Pedals- Shimano PD-M324

Rack- Rawland Raidoverks Demiporteur

Rear Derailleur- Gevenalle Burd w/ Wolftooth Roadlink

Rims- H plus Son Archetype 36h

Saddle- Bontrager

Seatpost- Crank Brothers cobalt 2 

Stem- FSA 100mm

Tires- Surly Knard 700c x 41c