Aaron, I don't have much time to save. I have just about enough in the Paypal account to buy the CC frame right now, and all the parts I need sitting at home that I took off my old Cannondale that was too small for me.
I could put more money into a Sam, but we're saving to buy our first house in the spring, so I don't want to put extra money into a bike that could go to the down payment. You know? I would love the Sam, and hope to get one in the future. I was thinking I could get the Surly now, use it for a few years, then when I have the cash for the Sam (any leftovers from Riv or one off the list), get the Sam and sell the Cross Check. I hear what you're saying about them being different bikes, and I totally agree, but as far as doing what I'm looking for, the CC works. It even takes canti brakes, which I would prefer over sidepull. To be totally honest, I would rather have the Hunq than the Sam, especially if I have the Centurion as a road bike, so that prolongs the saving period due to the extra cost. I was smitten with the Hunq from the first time I saw it, maybe it's the head badge, who knows, but that's the ultimate bike for me. For now, though, I need something that can take a load, do day trips, handle camping, etc., and the Cross Check certainly can do all that. - Mike On Thursday, October 2, 2014 12:31:13 PM UTC-5, AaronY wrote: > > Hi Mike, > > I don't know if I can help in making your decision, but I DO have a couple > thoughts. > > After writing this I figured a summary might be helpful. :) Here's the > short version: 1. Ride the snot out of that Dave Scott regardless if the > tube is bent or not (in rhyme even!). 2. Skip the cross check and > save, save, save for a Sam H (no rhyme). > > First, a dented top tube isn't necessarily an end of life issue for a good > steel bike. I still ride (and consider an all-time favorite type bike) a > 1985 Trek 620 that was in an accident before I bought it. Both the down and > top tubes are bent downward from the impact of the front wheel hitting > something (a dog was the story I was told). I didn't notice the dents > before buying it and was dismayed to say the least when I finally noticed > the bent tubes while cleaning it up at home. Since the bike was bent I > felt fine riding it year round including through four upstate NY winters > with salty roads. If it weren't bent I would likely have babied it and not > ridden it as much. So, just ride that Dave Scott if you like the way it > fits and rolls. Don't worry about the dent. Put a top tube protector over > it so you forget about it. But inspect it only occasionally to make sure > it's not getting worse or leading to tube fatigue and failure. > > As for the Cross Check vs Sam H dilemma, is it possible to hold off on > that new bike purchase while you save enough to get a Sam? The Cross check > is a great bike, but it's a different bike than a Sam in a lot of ways. I > bought my Sam used off this list for a very reasonable price. Maybe wait > for one to pop up on the list? In any case, Be patient and save for what > you really want. You will be happier in the long term. > > Just my opinions at no charge. Of course they are worth just about what > you paid for them. :) > > Good luck, > Aaron Young > The Dalles, OR > > On Thursday, October 2, 2014, Mike K. <mikeh...@gmail.com <javascript:>> > wrote: > >> Hi gang, >> Well, I have some decision-making to do involving current bike >> arrangement. I have two bikes, but need to get rid of one to make room for >> a new one. I am getting a Surly Cross Check (would spring for a Sam, but >> unfortunately, can't afford it, now matter how I slice the pie). >> >> My current bikes are both Centurions. One is an Accordo RS set up as a >> single speed, Tange Infinity tubing. The other is a Dave Scott Master, >> 14-speed with Shimano 600 group and Champion 1 tubing. >> >> I have been thinking about just keeping the Dave Scott as is for group >> riding. I have a Brooks on it and could get a small saddle bag for tools, a >> small jacket, patch kit, etc. BUT, the top tube has a small dent in it. I >> am probably like the 4th or 5th owner, if not further down the line. If it >> was a "perfect" frame I probably wouldn't even consider discontinuing it in >> my line up. >> >> The other option is to put the Shimano 600 group on the Accordo and use >> that as my roadie, then sell all the single speed parts off of it to help >> buy the Surly and a few parts I still need. Only problem with that is I >> would have the other frame to sell, and I doubt it would sell as a >> standalone frame/fork with a dented top tube. Otherwise, that Dave Scott is >> responsive and really fun to ride. I had the Accordo set up as a road bike >> and it just didn't have the zip of it's big brother. The Accordo is a bit >> better looking, though, too. That sweet red paint job with white head tube >> and seat tube. The Dave Scott is a white with the funny lightning-storm >> graphics on the fork. >> >> I like the Accordo a lot, and it has rear braze on for a rack, as well as >> a spot for a frame pump (Zefal #4 on the way!), but those would likely go >> on the Cross Check anyway. >> >> I guess in the end, either one would leave me with a road bike with the >> parts I already have. I'm just sort of looking for a few more factors to >> consider to help me make the decision. >> >> Thanks, all. >> >> - Mike in Austin >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. 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