Surly 1999 Cross-check

Price Paid:  $500.00 at used

Favorite Ride:
Rockey Hill Ranch

Bike Setup:
ultegra,xt,xtr. The 500 I paid was for the whole bike not just the frame.

Summary:
I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!! This is the best mountain bike money can buy and, goes like the wind on the road.

Strengths:
steelsteelsteelteelsteelsteelpricepricepriceprice

Weaknesses:
Are you crazy!!

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager road and mountain bikes. IBIS and IF mountain bikes. Just got a new Soulcraft single speed... mmmmmmm

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Speedgoat.com

Favorite Ride:
Hammond trail

Bike Setup:
WTB offroad dropbar, Salsa cork tape, Mafac nonaero brake lever, Shimano LX cantilever brakes with A

Summary:
This is my third review on the Crosscheck. Now I have set up as fixed gear with only front brakes and a single motified road brake levers. I filed off the rear brake,shifter bosses and the derailleur hanger. This bike is a great ride.

Strengths:
Durable paint, comfortable frame and folk. Easy to set up and not to mention the price I paid for the frameset.

Weaknesses:
Nothing I can say at this price.

Similar Products Used:
Most of the big names companies that makes cyclocross bike.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
To Work

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105, 48/39 double chainring, bar-end shifters, Velocity Aerohead 2 rims, 32h, 3cross, straig

Summary:
I only got rid if this frameset because Surly came out with the Pacer. I always said that I wanted a bike with road geometry, but the strength of a cross bike. But I digress. I regret getting rid of the bike. It had the "feel of steel", fast and fun. It was a fast climber on dirt hills. Great on the road. Sure, I didn't really fit in with the local roadie crowd. But, if I have to get a weak, expensive road bike for that, I don't want those type of friends anyways. I HIGHLY SUGGEST to get the inside of the frame rust-protected. The fork flexes under braking. However, the flipside is that the fork flexes over bumps, making for a smoother ride (especially on dirt). I MISS YOU. I hope your new owner is taking good care of you.

Strengths:
Great all-around bike, smooth ride, off-road worthy, excellent commuter.

Weaknesses:
Don't expect lightweight.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Recycle in Eburg

Favorite Ride:
hwy 97 October

Bike Setup:
Triple, TIME pedals, Terry liberator saddle.

Summary:
This is for the whole bike, rather than just the frame.
With amazingly little minor tweaking, this has all kinds of possiblities.
It's my road/gravel/errand running/commuting love, and my mountain bike hasn't been getting much use since it came home. Next up: a BOB and some overnight touring.
If you only have room for one practical bike and don't want to have to buy another one in 20+ years, this would be my first pick.

Strengths:
Price/Value ratio VERY good.
Off road is SWEET SWEET SWEET- I really didn't think it was possible.
Stock rear derailur etc. already triple- ready, so didn't break the bank getting it switched.
Will be crawling around with the cockroaches after nuclear winter.

Weaknesses:
It's heavy, but I can deal with #25 for a super reliable on/off road machine.
Came with REALLY wide handlebars that had to be switched out (but those Salsa bell laps were so comfy I opted for a narrower set of the same).

Similar Products Used:
Um.... I rode 10 speeds on our gravel road all through childhood... other than that, I can only compare it to various mountain bikes.

Price Paid:  $389.00 at Custom Velo- Rosedal

Favorite Ride:
Hoosier Scenic Byway- Leavenworh IN to Rome,IN

Bike Setup:
Truvativ cranks, bontrager bar, kore stem, thompson post, avid cantys, open pro rear wheel w/ dura a

Summary:
It was because of all the ringing reviews on this site that I purchased this frame so it seems appropriate for me to jump in. On a slightly different note, I have initially set my frame up as a fixed gear for Winter road training and commuting. I am also having a single speed wheel/hub built up for off road excursions. Maybe I will post a review on that part later. I am running a 42x16 or 15 gear setup with a track hub and 700x25 road tires. After getting my bike out of the shop and a quick shakedown ride, I took it out for a 100 mile road ride. I had forgotten how sweet and compliant a steel frame is, and this one brings it all back. The frame felt responsive grinding up the hills and stable when spinning down the hills. On the flats it was just sweet, soaking up all the road vibration. Of course it is a cool urban ride when commuting to work as well. I am anxious to get it out on some singletrack and see how it responds

Strengths:
Strong, stable frame. Low cost. Versatile.

Weaknesses:
A little too heavy for serious 'cross racing.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Blue Ridge.