Hi Sean, I think the most important thing you have mentioned is that you want to rive very upright. I own a cross check and an LHT. I recently bought my wife a Rivendell (Betty Foy) because I could not get the cross check that I bought for her to be comfortable at all. We almost bought the San Marcos but she liked the Betty better.
As you likely know the cross check is the same geometry as the straggler. The primary problem they have is that they have a race geometry and a cyclocross race geometry at that. The cyclocross geometry raises the bottom bracket a couple of centimeters so this in turn will put the rider in a higher position in relation to the bars which will make it feel like the bars are really low like a racing bike. Look at the bottom bracket drop number for each bike. The BB drop for the cross check will be much lower, meaning the cranks are higher off the ground (to clear logs and obstacles, etc.) On the other hand, the Soma San Marcos has a really long head tube with a quill stem with will boost the handlebars way up! Here is a picture of my wife's (now my daughter's) cross check. REB Cross Check <https://flic.kr/p/iPwxpw> On Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 9:38:38 AM UTC-7, se...@austin.utexas.edu wrote: > > Hi Group, > > I am contemplating a new bike build for long distance riding (centuries, > rando rides, etc.). I have neck issues so comfort is a must. I currently > ride and commute on a LHT with a very upright riding position. I'm > considering a Soma (Riv) San Marcos or a Surly 650B Straggler. Both > are appealing in different ways. As a former Rambouillet owner, I miss the > Riv geometry and liveliness but the Straggler has the ability to handle > 42mm tires and has brakes (of which I was a reluctant convert but now > love...I know..."retrogrouch heresy!"). > > From a recent post it seems the San Marcos is very well regarded. Both > frames are 650B (needed for my short stature - frame size 50-52). Any one > have experience with both? Hard to find info/reviews on the 650B Straggler. > San Marcos might be a more lively long distance ride, but the disc brakes > and versatility of the Straggler sure is appealing. Would probably set both > up with pull back bars of some sort. > > Thanks for any insight! > > Sean > ATX > -- 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 https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
