two Cross Checks, two Bike Checks!
Hey, it’s Clint from Yoyogi Park Store.
Today, I’m gonna talk about the Surly Cross Check!
This frameset answers to ANY type of custom builds.
On this blog, we will cover 2 fun Cross Check builds. Let’s get started!
*SURLY* cross check (52)
We built this bike for a customer all the way from Nagoya.
This customer used to be a fixie rider. Saw his friend’s Cross Check and he wanted desperately! So we built a singlespeed Cross Check!
Original black paint. It’s very popular recently. Whilst we kept it simple, we made some additional choices by imagining how he’s going to use in his daily ride.
For this build, we made suggestions to attached a front rack and a kickstand, instead of retracting gears from it. 🙋♂️
The rack we chose is the NITTO’s RIVENDELL 52F Basket Rack. This rack that receive double names of NITTO and RIVENDELL, can fit large or small baskets with style.
It’s got a light mount on the tip. Since the mount is hanging down with good length, there’s no problem attaching KOMA lights.
Whilst making classical choices with GILLES BERTHOUD leather saddle and cantilever brakes, to not make it too classical, we decided to install a modern looking NITTO B802 Handlebar.
SOMA Cazadero 700x42c was selected for not only practicality but also for aesthetic reasons. The combination of single gears and fat tires is just 👌. Does great work in both concrete pavings and rough tarmac.
He even enjoyed choosing brake shoes, decided to attach Thinline Brake Pad by KOOL STOP.
For Dia-compe cantilever brakes, if you swap the original brake shoe to a more sturdy one, it will perform way better!
Classic and modern, singlespeed and off road. No matter we throw many different pitches all at once, the Cross Check can catch every single one of them. What a frame.
On to the next one.
*SURLY* cross check(50)
Our next Cross Check is a geared version built as a touring bike.
Me and the owner built this bike with a theme of effortless riding experience in mind, even on dirt roads.
For the owner, this is a sports bike for the first time in a long time. Although built for long touring, we chose the SYCIP design JJJ bar for non stressful ride.
This handlebar seems like it is made for a city commuter, but can definitely handle dirt roads. A well balanced back sweep. Must be perfect for long rides.
2×9 gearing. By removing the smallest chainring from the BLUE LUG XMC triple crankset, looks a lot more simple, and he will still have enough gears for climbing.
OURY mountain grips. Thick rubber grip with dozens of color options.
We chose the neon pink to add some spice!
WTB sliverado race saddle BL special and MKS XC-III bear trap pedals, fit’s literally anything.
SIM WORKS the homage tire for touring.
Slick on the center, semi-blocks on each side, made to support various terrains. It rolls smoothly on tarmac, and your safe on gravel paths.
With FAIRWEATHER frame bag ADV, it’s ready to carry some of your touring gears! It will be a great helping hand for daily use for sure.
This turquoise/orange ADV is rather eccentric colorway, but it surprisingly fits well with most bikes. The size S was a perfect fit for the Cross Check size 50.
To make it a bike of a lifetime and to make it a customizable bike in the future, we made sure we don’t add too much, but still be playful. Became a well balanced Cross Check.
A while ago, Tommy-san was describing the Cross Check as “rice”, and totally agree to that. It’s a great frame that fits many different ways of cooking depending on who cooks what.
As a mechanic, it’s always a joy to build a Cross Check that fills all kinds of needs and wants.
That’s a wrap for the introduction of two different Cross Checks!
See you soon!
