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Surly Cross Check vs. On-One Il Pompino

39297 Views 50 Replies 29 Participants Last post by seebee, May 19, 2010

SpinWheelz

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2005

You snooze, you lose, it seems. And I snoozed. Didn't act quick enough and the Surly Cross Check frame I had my eye on is now gone. At least at the price point that made it a no brainer.

I'm still hellbent on building up a singlespeed cyclocross bike, but now if I'm faced with paying full retail for a frame, then my options open up a bit, I think. I have no doubt that the options I'm considering would be roadworthy - the question is just how trailworthy these bikes are as well

In addition to the Surly Cross Check, I've also given thought to the On-One Il Pompino. I was all over the Surly Cross Check because I've read enough about the offroad ability of that ride, not to mention the nice spacing that allows for relatively fat tires. I liked the idea of being able to use 45c tires on that frame.

With the Il Pompino, there are a number of intangible positives. I really dig how Brant (and his On-One crew) have interacted with the MTBR folks. On-One bikes are alos quite a rarity around my parts (who am I kidding - Surly bikes are no more common!). But based on the website copy, it appears that the largest tire that an Il Pompino will take is a 35c tire. Is that big loss versus the Cross Check? I dunno, that was something I was hoping you guys could help me with.

Other consideration is color, as silly as that may seem. New Il Pompino is a smart silver color. Cross Check is a cool blood red. I don't have a red bike.

The Cross Check comes with a fork. I gotta pick up a fork - the On-One carbon one or otherwise - for the Il Pompino, hence higher cost.

Would you guys have any thoughts/recos for me? While this is not a proper 29er question, it relates to big wheels and when it comes to big wheels, I like to ask the folks who know.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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donkey

· #2 · Apr 4, 2005

I'd go with the cross check for several reasons: versatility-gears, large tires, fenders, racks etc. Also, you will want the fat tires. If you're doing any actual mountain biking on it you're gonna want the 45s. Sure, you can ride trails on 30s or 35s but you'll be much happier with the ability to run something larger.

Definitely a no-brainer.

B

~martini~

· #3 · Apr 4, 2005 (Edited)

As much as I like the Il Pompino(gotta love that name), I'd go w/the Cross Check. Sounds like you wanna run fatties every now and then, and well, the CC is your only choice on that matter. The On one won't take bigger tires than 35's, which is fine if all you really plan on is racing and roading it. Sounds like you want an adventure bike, and the CC could fit that bill quite nicely.

Here's another option: Van Dessel's Country Road Bob. They lost the goofy semi-cruiser look and went with a standard double diamond look. It'll accept 45 tires too. You're limited to SS'ing it, but IMO, that's okey dokey.

https://www.vandesselsports.com/crb.php?bike=9

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vcyclist

· #4 · Apr 4, 2005

Surly

I too have been considering a cross SS. I think the Surly is offered in black this year. I have a Karate Monkey and love it and even have considered another one of them just because of the versatility of that frame. The crosscheck might be lighter though. What is it about those Surly's once you have one you want another!

Lurpy

· #5 · Apr 4, 2005

Not limited to SS on he Bob. From the web-site: "The 2005 version features clearance for up to 700x45c tires and removable cable guides and rear derailleur hanger just in case anyone gets the crazy idea of mounting derailleur."

Tame Ape

· #6 · Apr 4, 2005

Don't forget about IRO Cycles. I think the HQ is in Staten Island. They have a built CX SS for $600 and the CS is supposed to be top-notch.

punchy

· #7 · Dec 19, 2009 (Edited)

Ive actually been mulling over these very 2 frames recently. There are other frames out there for what I want, but these 2 mentioned are available and affordable for me here in OZ.

I want to set the bike up as a tourer but run it as a SS when not touring. I know the Cross check is probably more suitable to touring and the Pompino would be a nimbler SS from reviews read.

But what are others thoughts ? Both are tried and proven commuters, but I havent been able to find much info on the Pompino as a touring rig. It has one set of eyelets versus 2 on the cross check. But you can probably work around that. I could probably get my hands on a Pompino frame set for less than $500. Where as the Cross Check comes in at around $1,000. Which frame would be better suited to a Rohloff hub ?

What do you think peoples ? Which way should I go ?

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canyonrat

· #8 · Dec 19, 2009

Hmm, yeah I had a crosscheck for few years...this year sold off that frame and went to a Kona Major One:

http://www.bikeman.com/KON-F09MO56....utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase

Rides great, the rootbeer paint job with the white panel is gorgeous, and it is a blast on light singletrack, especially fun catching air since my whole build with my lighter wheelset is about 18 lbs. It does not have the clearance to be "monstercrossy" but...I have 29er MTB's for that action. As a SS 'cross bike this thing rocks.

punchy

· #9 · Dec 19, 2009

Canyon rat. Thats a nice frame. But its aluminium, I want steel. What I dont get though, is that its listed on that link as a 130mm rear spaced frame and suitable for IGH's ? As far as I know IGH's require 135mm spacing, apart from maybe a Sturmy Archer 3 speed or something of that nature. Rohloff's Imotion 9's and Alfines and those type of modern IGH's require 135mm spacing do they not ?

Fat Bob

· #10 · Dec 19, 2009

punchy said:
Canyon rat. Thats a nice frame. But its aluminium, I want steel. What I dont get though, is that its listed on that link as a 130mm rear spaced frame and suitable for IGH's ? As far as I know IGH's require 135mm spacing, apart from maybe a Sturmy Archer 3 speed or something of that nature. Rohloff's Imotion 9's and Alfines and those type of modern IGH's require 135mm spacing do they not ?

Not to throw a wrench in the gear here, but have you thought about the Vassago Fisticuff? I really like the x-check, but since my 29er runs disc only the fisti allows me to have one set of geared wheels and one set of SS wheels for two frames.

canyonrat

· #11 · Dec 19, 2009

punchy said:
Canyon rat. Thats a nice frame. But its aluminium, I want steel. What I dont get though, is that its listed on that link as a 130mm rear spaced frame and suitable for IGH's ? As far as I know IGH's require 135mm spacing, apart from maybe a Sturmy Archer 3 speed or something of that nature. Rohloff's Imotion 9's and Alfines and those type of modern IGH's require 135mm spacing do they not ?

I have no idea about IGH's...I pretty much ride SS and fixed on the 'cross bike. I had bought the CC as a SS frame in the past, because aluminum options like the Van Dessel and the Specy Singlecross you had to buy a full bike with a complement of lower-end parts I did not want. I snapped up the Kona when I saw it frame only, because afaik Kona is going full-bike-only also for future versions. The Felt SS 'cross bike is the same way. The Kona is "Scandium" which of course is aluminum...but it rides as comfy as my Crosscheck did, only lighter and more responsive. No frame-material religion here...the Kona has better geometry for me and came with a sweet Carbon fork with Al steerer. I was looking at the Pompino too when I bought the CC, they were the only two frame-only options at the time I could find. Bob's suggestion of the Fisty is prolly worth looking at.

I would comment though that I was running Hutchinson Bulldog tubeless CX tires on Mavic Ksyrium rims (awesome tires btw), which measure out a true 35mm. With the canti's open, I could barely squeeze that wheel in and out on the crosscheck. Anything bigger would have needed to be deflated to get through the brake pads, and they were right up against the fork and frame. The same is true on the Kona...so while there is more excess capacity on the CC, it is really not that practical to use larger tires unless you don't mind deflating them to take your wheel off and on.

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bolandjd

· #12 · Dec 19, 2009

While everybody's recomending frames - if the Bicycle Fairy showed up on my doorstep, I'd be all over a Singular Peregrine. What a sweet looking monstercrosser! I suppose the disc brakes would be a limitation if you want to race UCI-type CX, though.

seat_boy

· #13 · Dec 19, 2009

I'm happy with my CC (and I've had both an Il Pompino and a Peregrine). It's smart dropout design lets you adjust the gearing without messing with the brakes. That's really handy if you want to run a dingle speed or something. For instance, I had mine set up as a 38/42 x 16. When I was bonked on the way home, it was a 30 second change to jump from the 42 to the 38 up front.

The Peregrine was OK, looked great, but was heavy and didn't handle as nicely as the CC. The Il Pomp was a bit small--it doesn't come in the size range that the CC does.

Om Flyer

· #14 · Dec 19, 2009

You will never regret buying a cross check, you may however regret selling one.

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dankilling

· #15 · Dec 19, 2009

Martini- where did you get that CRB picture? Their site still shows the curvy version?

punchy

· #16 · Dec 19, 2009

Fat bob and Bolandjd, Yes I have considered both those bikes

...

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=196611 . The Vassago seems to be nowhere to be found in OZ, nobody seems to want to throw me a bone on that one. And with the Peregrine, I came close to buying one through a New Zealand dealer, but it was a little expensive, it is a sweet frame though. My only gripe with it is that its Disc only, I want to run V brakes on the rear.

There is a new frame on the market that I may want to point out to you guys, Id be all over it if it had 135mm spacing, braze ons for racks and fenders, Im soooo pissed that it doesnt. Because it would have my name on it if it did. Extremely well priced too. What do you guys think ? ...

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/The_Lincolnshire_Poacher.html

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Fishbone

· #17 · Dec 20, 2009

If you want to put a Rohloff,you can forget a new Pompino,only available in 120mm spacing.

punchy

· #18 · Dec 20, 2009

There is a way around that

Velobike

· #19 · Dec 20, 2009

SpinWheelz said:
...I've also given thought to the On-One Il Pompino. I was all over the Surly Cross Check because I've read enough about the offroad ability of that ride, not to mention the nice spacing that allows for relatively fat tires. I liked the idea of being able to use 45c tires on that frame...

I use 40mm tyres in my Pompino - no problem just set the wheel up to use the back part of the adjustment in the track ends.

The Pompino is good offroad, I have taken mine around mountainbike courses, The only problem apart from my crap technical skills are hitting a 48 tooth chainring on rocks and logs

(I have a carbon fork on mine)

I have 3 Pompinos (including the Ti one) so I may be biased

(but I also like Surly and have an ancient 1x1 that I can't bear to part with)

Another option if you have a bit more to spend is one of the Singulars - the new Gryphon looks like the best bet. I have a Swift and a Peregrine, but I think the new Gryphon would better meet my needs for an allround bike with fat tyres. The Singulars handle very nicely and I have never had so much as a creak out of their EBBs.

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Fishbone

· #20 · Dec 20, 2009

Mine,fixed.
The quality/cost ratio is unbeatable!

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