Surly Cross-Check

The Surly Cross-Check is probably one of the most popular all-rounders, so it's about time we mentioned it here. At City Bikes, you can purchase the complete bike for $1,050 or the frameset for $410.

The frame is steel, and it has eyelets for fenders and braze-ons for a rear rack. The fork allows plenty of room for wider tires.

Here's the specs for the complete bike:

Frame: 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded. Rear rack bosses

Fork: CroMoly, lugged + brazed crown. 1-1/8" threadless steerer

Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp. 1-1/8" threadless, w/ 15mm spacers
(+ 10mm clamp-on hanger = 25mm stack total). Black

Stem: Kalloy 1-1/8" threadless. Forged. Black

Handlebars: Salsa Moto Ace Bell-Lap 26.0mm clamp diameter. Black

Brake Levers: Tektro #R200A standard levers on 52-62cm sizes, R100A small hand levers on 42-50cm

Brakes: Tektro Oryx cantilever #992, black

Shift Levers: Shimano Bar-end type #SL-BS77. 9-Speed

Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #FD-4500 Double

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #RD-4500-GS Mid-cage

Crankset: Andel Forged arms, Silver aluminum, granny ring compatible. 110mm BCD rings, 36 & 48t, ramped and pinned, Black

Pedals NOT INCLUDED

Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore LX #BB-UN54, 68x113mm

Seatpost: Kalloy Uno 27.2mm x 250mm. Black

Saddle: WTB SST Steel rails. Black

Cassette: Shimano Tiagra #HG-53 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t

Chain: Shimano HG-73 9-Speed compatible

Hubs: Shimano Deore #HU-M510. 32 hole, 100mm O.L.D. front, 135mm O.L.D. rear.

Rims: Alex #AL-DA16. 32 hole x 700c. Black

Tires: Ritchey SpeedMax Cross 700x32 Wire bead. Black wall

For fun, check out the Surly blog.

Smoothie ES; Part II

Here is my sister's Smoothie ES frame and fork (by Soma Fabrications) built up as a comfortable & stylish town bike. The rain in Portland appears to have infiltrated my camera, but you can still make out the important elements: upright and swept-back handlebars, platform pedals, full fenders, and a dynamo headlight.

The Smoothie ES is a light and sporty frame, but it doesn't have to be set up as a road bike. This bike is light and sporty AND comfortable and stylish! Also, the Cobalt Blue is luscious.

In case you missed it, here's a link back to Part I, regarding the Soma Smoothie ES.

Pake C'Mute

Pake (pronounced "Pah-Kay,")" calls the C'Mute "a tough jack of many trades frame... fast commuter, sport tourer, CX, geared or single speed." It's made by the same people who make Soma frames, and the Soma Store sells the C'Mute fork and frame for $360. You may also find a dealer who will special order you the complete bike... prices will vary.

The frame really is built as an all-rounder, with double eyelets and clearance for wide tires. The horizontal dropout allows it to easily be converted to a single or fixed gear.



Specs:

Frame: Butted Tange 4130 CrMo tubeset. Sizes 47-60 cm.
Clearance for 35c tires with fenders.
Decals: Removable w/o stripping clearcoat
Horizonal dropouts (updated to a longer slot for 2009)
Optional unicrown steel fork w/ rack and fender mounts and low rider pannier mounts;
44mm rake, matching paint
Extended headtube
Color: Pave-Mint