Surly Cross Check

So the build hit a few snags...which I kind of expected from looking the Surly frame specs and the bike I was sabotaging for parts...had to order a new head set and front derailleur..also a new hanger for the front brakes...but other than that The Rock has pretty much got it built...just waiting on a few parts to come in...so the maiden ride will have to wait...so far with frame..labor and parts I ordered I am in for around 7-8 hundred dollars..but not bad considering it is built just like I want..

Surly Cross Check Frame
Sram Rival Shifters
Sram Rival Front Derailleur
Sram Rear Derailleur
Sram Rival 11-28 Cassette
Sram Chain
Hope Ceramic Bottom Bracket
Sram Force Carbon Crank
Easton EC70cx Carbon Fork
Fizik Saddle
FSA Headset
FSA 42cm Drop Bars
Origin 8 Stem
Origin 8 Seat Post
Tektro something or another canit brakes
Fulcrum XC7 Cross Wheels-I will be replacing with Easton Wheels later on.
Kenda Small Block 8 700x35 tires

Some stuff I have never tried is Origin 8 stuff..Rocky carries it at his shop and the price seems good and the look of the product seems pretty cool...especially the white stuff...figured I would give it a try..I mean it is an aluminum stem and seat post...pretty sure it is on par with other aluminum stuff...who knows..think people get hung up on name brand stuff to the point of paying more than some stuff is really worth.. that is for another debate later on down the road..my guessing is this thing is going to weigh close to 25 pounds which is respectful for a 4130 steel frame and at this price point..I am sure there are ways to lighten it up...but I really do not want to get into shaving grams by the dollar...keep in mind most all of this stuff is coming off of a bike I currently have...so for the specs and the money I have into it...pretty solid bike at a great price...

Now for the intended use..Surly makes some pretty versatile bikes and though they have frames designated as cross..touring..and such they all seem to have the ability to pretty much build them up however you want to within reason of intended use...mine will be primarily a gravel grinder..Trinity Troller .. Light Trail Rig..my current cross bike only allows for 38c tires..at least with the Surly I can slap some 42c on there for the more gravely gravel grinders..plus I am not to keen on rocks smacking a carbon frame...again another debate for later on...

There is a certain amount of intrigue and fun in having a bike built frame up the way you want it from jump street...reality you do spend more money doing it this way..I imagine if I did not already have most of these parts this build would easily go into the 2000 dollar range and maybe a little more..a person can buy a heck of a cross bike for 2gs...but it is just like the bike it is sitting beside on the floor...every now and then you have to build your own...one of a kind(sort of)..a true custom it is not..but the next best thing....are there better steel frames out there...oh yeah...Salsa..Gunnar...Milwaukee Bikes..just to name a few..in line with Surly..there is Soma and All City..so there are plenty of choices out there to research an plan a build..but in the end I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa to deliver that present I have wanted all year...

My blog is not based on some great knowledge of cycling..though I have been riding seriously for almost 30 years...throw in a few races here and there..owned a ton of bikes...work on them when I can or want...but you learn stuff when you have a passion for something...I have always noticed new people to the sport can get intimated easily by people they perceive as  better or smarter than they are...and there are some out there that make sure you know they are better and smarter than you are...but for the most part the cycling community is filled with a bunch of great guys and gals...I write this stuff for fun and sharing and maybe one person will read it and think....cool..I would like to try that...as always the important thing is to ride...be safe...have fun...and help the sport grow...