The Hunt

The starting point – a used Shimano Deore DX group set, a double delivered Surly Cross-Check frame set and imagination.

This Cross-Check was the result of Michel’s wish for another kind of bicycle. There is no such thing as one bike that can do it all, but the Cross-Check does a good job of most things people use bikes for. It’s a cyclocross bike by design but it does a good job getting you across the country or across town too. The Cross-Check is at home on the road and on trails, on gravel, and just about whatever else you might run into. Obviously Michel was inspired by the Ritchey mountain bikes from the late 70’s or even by his own Mondial mountain bike from the 80’s with a similar setup.

The Deore DX group set was a good offer and easy to refurbish as most parts are made of alloy without any “special” anodization. Nice bars and tyres from Fairweather arrived at the same time in the store. Though the nearest mountains are roughly 100 kilometers away from our town, cobblestones are ten a penny here. We decided to mount Surly Knard 41×622c on the H Plus Son Archetype / Shimano Deore DX wheel set to minimize the risk of slipping on wet cobblestones in the town and to ensure comfy rides in the countryside. The classic setup was supplemented by the fine Fairweather Bullmoose bar, Nitto S83 seat post and a Selle San Marco Rolls. The frame also offers accommodations for racks and fenders to make it suitable for touring.

The result – a very nice bicycle to cover most of your requirements.

Specs
× Size – 58 cm
× Colour – Gloss black
× Frame – Surly Cross-Check / 4130 CrMo
× Saddle – Selle San Marco Rolls
× Tyres – Surly Knard 41×622c
× Handlebar – Fairweather B903 Bullmoose
× Seat post – Nitto S83 / 27,2mm
× Groupset – Shimano Deore DX / 7-speed / 46-36-26T
× Sprocket Cluster – 12-28T
× Wheelset – H Plus Son Archetype  / Shimano Deore DX
× Spokes – Sapim Race DB
× Price – 1490,00€