Price Paid:  $1299.00 at King Street Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Waterloo Hydro Cut

Summary:
2008 Surly Cross Check. Have been riding seriously for about 4 years purchased a Brodie fury hard tail XC 2 years ago great bike. Used it in a few endurence races. Paris to Ankaster and Lake to Lake classic these races better souted to a cross bike. Plus I like to road bike at times so this cross again a good combo. Tested a Brodie Romax great components out of the box. Alum frame carbon fork. Surly still felt better, Lemond Propod, Steel frame carbon fork excellent feel ride quality good Surly still better, Scott Comp Alum frame carbon fork this one felt great would of been second choice but the surly still felt better.

Strengths:
Great smooth ride takes rough well this thing want to move feels very confident well biult and solid. The bar end shifters work flawlessly. This thing is as rugged as a tank but drives like a corvette.

Weaknesses:
Heavier than the res with time atac pedals installed tips in at 25 lbs. although the components are good reliable ones I will be swithcing them out as needed. Spooky breaks later on, Mavic Krysium wheelset etc after a few years I should be albe to get it down to about 22 lbs.

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Sunflower Outdoor an

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
cutting through down town on the way to work

Bike Setup:
custom built w/ shimano 105 drive train/etc, salsa bars, stem and post, chris king headset, avid shorty 6 brakes, mavic open pro wheelset, nokian hakkapeliitta w106 tires (winter - richey speedmax for summer) and specialized avatar saddle

Summary:
Kicks ass! Perfect go anywhere, do anything bike! I use it everyday for my 10 mile commute to work on the worst streets in the midwest in rain, snow, sleet and heat. Fully lives up to my expectations.

Strengths:
steel, built to last, easy to keep clean, withstands ice, snow and freezing rain build up with lots of clearance. takes on the roughest pot-holed brick roads we have!!! SMOOTH!!!

Weaknesses:
They don't make a kid's version for my 8 yr old.

Similar Products Used:
bianchi milano cruzer

Price Paid:  $1450.00 at Cycle Mania, Show Lo

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
xt derailleurs and hubs. Salsa stem, bar, and rims. LX hollowtech II crank, lx chain, cassette. Avid canti's, cane creek levers and headset. DuraAce dt shifters. WTB saddle and some kinda cannondale take-off double clamp seatpost. Good, cheap, workin' man parts.

Summary:
Surly Crosscheck is the only bike you need! I use mine for long dirt road miles, trails, pavement, everything. It does everything you ask it too. I've only had it since September, but it already feels like a trusty old pal.

Strengths:
Affordable, reliable, versatile, comfortable. Good lookin, too.

Weaknesses:
Heavy, but so am I.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Paramount Sports, Fa

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
I left it at stock right now, but will change the handle bars soon, I don't really like them.

Summary:
I use the my Surly Cross Check for commuting around town, and to be honest, it's my favorite bike to ride. I love it.

Strengths:
Strengths are the looks and the frame.

Weaknesses:
Weaknesses are of course the weight, very heavy, maybe not the best bike to buy if you want to race.

Price Paid:  $1000000.00 at my bike shop (where

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock items: Frame, Seatpost, Stem, Bars, Wheels, Drive train
Modifications: Saddle, Bar tape, Moved the shifters I used Paul Thumbies, Brake levers, Brake pads and calipers, Tires/tubes, spd pedals

I plan on upgrading more in the spring.

Summary:
I purchased my cross check as a complete bike. I initially wanted to build it up from the frame, but when it came down to it, I would have spent more money building up my way. So, I just bought the complete bike and changed a few things. So far, I’ve commuted on it, gone on a few road rides, and raced a couple of cross events. I hope to do some touring with this frame later in it's life. In the spring I plan on upgrading the drivetrain to full shimano 105 10spd. I bought this bike because of it's versatility. So far, I like it a lot.

Strengths:
I love the frame, the ride is amazing. The wheels seem tough. It's strong enough for a big rack and panniers. It's great for riding around town.

Weaknesses:
It is heavy. Both the frame and wheelset are very heavy. I don’t like the stock bars. I immediately changed the brake levers and brakes. Tiagra components are not awesome, but are very functional for their price. Racing with this frame is somewhat of a struggle, I think If I wa every to get serious about cross racing, I'd get something lighter.

Similar Products Used:
This was my first cross bike. I test rode every cross bike that came through the shop I work at.