| Team Estrogen |
| | KnottedYet  |
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| Lifetime: 1,573 mi
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| Member No. 14417 |
| Member since: May 2006 |
| Home: WA  |
| Waterford X-12
Cyclocross Road bike |
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| Different Spokes Seattle, WA |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 3:30:17 PM |
| viewed 5166 times |
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Ok, Team Estrogen-ites!
Here's my review of the Surly Crosscheck. (I almost lost it to the electronic alternate universe) Rock on, girls!
www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html
Oh, girls.... sigh.
Remember how enthralled I was with the Jamis Aurora? The Surly Crosscheck has surpassed the Jamis.
Now, what I rode today was the "complete" bike, which comes as a package deal for a whole lot cheaper than doing a build-up. But it means you don't get a choice in components.
However, your LBS would probably be willing to switch out a few things.
When/if I get this gorgeous gloss black 52 cm beauty, I will have them switch the knobbies for 32mm reflective Vittoria Randonneurs, put on a taller stem, and drop the small ring from a 36t to a 34t. (and I'll add my fenders, rack, bell, lights, etc.
The Look: ooh, she's pretty! The paint is lovely, the black and silver chainrings are nice. Love the Surly logo, decals, and headbadge. The welds on the steel are smooth and nicely finished.
The Components: Ok, not top of the line here, but not total cr@p either. Mostly Shimano: Deore and Tiagra. Enough to get you started and upgrade when they wear out. The seat is narrow and sexy-looking, but not all that comfy. (I have a wide butt, and a black Brooks B67 that would look just fiiiiine on the Surly.) The Salsa Bell Lap bar looked crazy-wide to me, but after riding I found I really liked the flare in the drops. The bar end shifters can be switched from index to friction, so if you do upgrade there is no issue with compatiblity. No fear. I really liked the bar-end shifters. A lot. A lot a lot a lot. (did I mention I like the bar end shifters?) I really liked having brake levers that are JUST brake levers. And I really liked the nice narrow hoods on the brake levers. Very comfy.
The Price: Component collection kept it down to $930 for the one at my LBS. They'll give me a very nice trade-in on my Kona Dew, which just makes the whole thing more tempting. Plus I get a Team Survivor discount, which makes it even MORE tempting!
The Ride: This is what made me swoon, and has me searching for change in the sofa cushions and swearing off beer to save money. It was love. Even with the bars a bit lower than the saddle (I would want them up about an inch) it felt like it was made for me. I didn't have to think, I didn't have to "get used" to it, it was instantly made for me. Even without the bars higher, I could still play piano on the flats and ride one handed/no handed. Cyclocross geometry seems to suit me anyway, but this bike was just sensual in it's instant fit.
| ZenLC added spaces to activate link. |
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thread edited on 5/21/2007 at 3:34:24 PM
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| | Kitsune |
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| Lifetime: 0 mi
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| Member No. 21813 |
| Member since: May 2007 |
| Home: OR |
| Specialized
Road bike |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 3:59:27 PM |
| post #1 viewed 1350 times |
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mmmmm sounds good 
ohhh you and your bike lust
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| | KnottedYet |
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| Lifetime: 1,573 mi
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| Member No. 14417 |
| Member since: May 2006 |
| Home: WA |
| Waterford X-12
Cyclocross Road bike |
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| Different Spokes Seattle, WA |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 4:22:22 PM |
| post #2 viewed 1344 times |
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Well, bikes are works of art, and I just consider myself to be going through an art-appreciation phase! What would I name the Surly? Hmmm, gotta think on that.
I get to go to the dentist in an hour. Whoo-hoo!
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| | kelownagirl  |
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| Lifetime: 9,289 mi
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| Member No. 14294 |
| Member since: May 2006 |
| Home: Kelowna, BC  |
| Trek Madone 5.1
Road bike |
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| Team Estrogen |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 5:52:54 PM |
| post #3 viewed 1322 times |
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Oh, here you are! Now we'll have somewhere to go when TE is down.  The bike sounds nice Knot. Does Flossie know about your wandering eye?
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| | siouxgeonz |
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| Lifetime: 78,398 mi
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| Member No. 14110 |
| Member since: Apr 2006 |
| Home: Urbana, IL |
| Giant Nutra
700c Hybrid bike |
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| Commuter Cycling Century  |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 7:17:12 PM |
| post #4 viewed 1306 times |
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Yea, I'm sorry, this sounds like fickleness to me Whta's the *next* bike going to be that you are *so in love* with?
But it does go to show that it's how it fits that matters.
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| | yotsbed |
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| Lifetime: 1,829 mi
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| Member No. 17823 |
| Member since: Nov 2006 |
| Home: MT |
| Trek 1000 WSD
Road bike |
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| Club Hypoxia |
| posted
5/21/2007
at 9:08:16 PM |
| post #5 viewed 1301 times |
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I want one of those! Its beautiful!
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Should not have checked that link. Enjoy the new bike!
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| | orangecomo |
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| Lifetime: 10,869 mi
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| Member No. 15788 |
| Member since: Jul 2006 |
| Home: Seattle, WA |
| Co-Motion Nor'Wester Custom
Road bike |
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| Redmond Cycling Club |
| posted
5/23/2007
at 2:50:19 PM |
| post #7 viewed 1246 times |
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Nice Bike
I'm growing to like more and more my Forrest Green Soma Doublecross
The small size of 48 cm fits my 5'6" frame very well - yes there is a fair bit of seatpost showing but has a normal length stem not a stubby one.
I like how stable these cross bikes are - great for commuting and you can throw some fat tires on em.
Don't forget when the snow flys to get yourself some nokian studded tires to play in all conditions. I'm also sporting Salsa Bell Laps - they have a fairly shallow drop and not a long reach so are good for women - also interuptor brakelevers are nice when riding in traffic, bar end shifters are good also
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post edited on 5/23/2007 at 2:51:03 PM
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| | lph |
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| Lifetime: 10,968 mi
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| Member No. 18914 |
| Member since: Jan 2007 |
| Home: Oslo, Norway  |
| Kona Cinder Cone
XC Mountain bike |
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| Team Estrogen |
| posted
5/24/2007
at 3:07:53 AM |
| post #8 viewed 1240 times |
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Oh my! Ooh. Aah.
I like
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| | kelownagirl |
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| Lifetime: 9,289 mi
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| Member No. 14294 |
| Member since: May 2006 |
| Home: Kelowna, BC |
| Trek Madone 5.1
Road bike |
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| Team Estrogen |
| posted
9/2/2007
at 6:28:41 PM |
| post #9 viewed 1190 times |
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Is it just me or are we down again? I've been out of town for the last two days...
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| | crazycanuckoz  |
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| Lifetime: 19,962 mi
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| Member No. 17750 |
| Member since: Nov 2006 |
| Home: Perth, Australia  |
| Giant ocr1
Road bike |
| Team Estrogen |
| posted
9/2/2007
at 6:39:18 PM |
| post #10 viewed 1190 times |
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Hey KG..Te's down...pooey!
I was wondering!!!
C
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