After over two decades, Surly moved the Cross-Check frameset from their standard lineup of bikes to the ‘Legacy Lineup’ of their website. Surly confirmed that the bike is no longer in production and is unlikely to come back.
If you haven’t owned this gravel/cyclocross/touring/whatever bike yourself, you likely know someone who has. The Surly Cross-Check was the egalitarian choice in cycling, simultaneously someone’s utilitarian dream bike that was attainable and sold at a fair price.
The end of the Cross-Check marks the bike’s reign as the most bike that ever biked, the go-to way to make a pile of parts you hoarded in the corner of your garage into a functioning bicycle, and the defacto option that a bike nerd could happily ride and recommend to their non-bikey friends all the same.
@tk@cycling@mastobikes@mhoye Aw, dang. I rejoined the cycling world 12 or 13 years ago on a black Cross Check. I loved it unreservedly, and kept it in my garage for years after I rode it regularly— it got displaced by lighter, shinier bikes — mostly out of sentimental reasons.
I finally sold it last year to a math grad student who rides it nearly every day.
Si Richardson shares his honest thoughts on the safety risks of cycling. Why are so many people afraid of cycling when driving might actually be more dangerous? He examines whether this fear is irrational by comparing collisions and deaths from driving versus cycling, along with the difference in overall mortality between those who commute by car and bike. 🚗
Has anyone used these? I work as a trainee bike mechanic and I'm wondering if it's worth investing in these. I used to use the Skytec Ninja Lite gloves in my last job, but they'd only last a few weeks before getting holes. How long would these last if used for 2x8 hour shifts a week? Any other recommendations for gloves?
Thanks!
Finally finished putting on @glitter 's basket and supporting Nitto front rack on. I also moved the e-bike's headlight from the stem to a mount on one of the rack's struts.
Shimano’s all-new CUES drop bar components has officially launched! It’s been designed to bring greater affordability, durability, and compatibility to road and gravel bikes, and we like this. We’ll break down everything we know so far.
Shimano states that the new drop bar shifters seamlessly integrate with the existing CUES ecosystem, offering both 1x and 2x options across 9-, 10-, and 11-speed setups. Ergonomics remain familiar, mirroring Shimano’s proven mechanical 105 design.
Shimano also says the new front derailleurs and cranksets provide gearing options suited for both road and gravel riding. Plus, the addition of flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes ensures powerful stopping performance with 160mm rotors.
Built around Shimano’s LINKGLIDE technology, CUES prioritizes longevity, with cassettes that Shimano states last up to three times longer than traditional Hyperglide setups—helping you save money on replacement parts over time.
With pricing aimed below current GRX and 105-equipped bikes, Shimano CUES could mean better value and longer-lasting performance for entry-level road and gravel riders.
Finding that rapidly spinning my legs in a relatively low gear for a few seconds after getting on the bike from a stop is a great way to get the blood flowing quickly before upshifting and really getting going. :blobfoxthinkgoogly:
Road clipless (three-bolt) interests me…until I realize I can get most of the benefits with two-bolt shoes that have carbon fiber foot beds. :blobfoxthinkgoogly:
At the moment, my #cycljng is mainly limited by my cardiovascular system and energy. All of that time sick from respiratory illness was not kind to my fitness. :blobfoxgooglycry: