Surly Cross Check

So the frame is in the shop....I went by to check it out and pick some parts for it that it will need to be completed..the work is being done by Rocky at Bicycle Center Of Fort Worth...who by the way can order the frame right from his shop.

For a low cost steel frame it actually looks great...detail work is real good and the drop outs are the bomb...I have read the frame and fork are heavy..around 7 pounds...after feeling the frame..it is true..but that is one of the trade offs of building a steel frame...especially a 4130 cro-mo steel..one could always opt for a more expensive grade of steel to build a bike...but that kind of defeats the purpose of building a budget type frame up....and as this is not going to be my primary bike weight does not factor into the decision to go with this frame....

I am going to use a Sram Rival drive train I already have...I am using a Easton carbon cx fork I also already have...I do not think it will save a lot of weight but should help absorb some bumps a bit..I had to order a set of 42cm drop bars as I did not have any extras....went with a new stem and seat post as well..white in color to add a little bling to the black frame...using a Sram carbon crank..Fizik saddle and sprung for some new Kenda SB8 700x35c tires..I am hoping the weight comes in at around 22-23 pounds..which I think is respectable for a steel frame cross bike.

Once the bike is complete I will post up a ride review after a few rides to see if my plan of buying a steel frame bike and building it up was worth it...

For those of you in the Fort Worth area looking for a shop that has the old school feel of a mom and pop shop you need to go by and check out Bicycle Center Of Fort Worth...I have used a lot of shops in the DFW area and one can post cons and pros about almost anything they use these days..every time I have had a issue with a bike Rocky has always sorted it out...right..the first time..even if I did not buy the bike from him he still takes the time and pride to do the work and do it right and at the right price...If he does not have it in his shop he can order if for you...I have read where people slam shops for not having inventory on hand...I have customized bikes before and almost every shop I have used ended up having to order the stuff I want because it is not cost effective to keep high end parts sitting on shelves...it is what it is....I do not mind waiting for a part that I want...because in the end I get what I want...built the way I want..and done right...I like to support the LBS when I can and remember you are investing in more than a bike or parts...I still use mail order sometimes...but I try to strike a balance when doing that...