For you Surly Cross Check owners

[Moondoggy]

What type of front rack do you prefer? I`m building up a Cross Check right now and would like your input. The fork has one eyelet which I have the fender attached to. Are you attaching the front rack to the quick release, or is there a way to attach both rack and fender to the same eyelet.

[dombrosk]

I've been touring (and commuting) with my Cross Check for two years and been very happy with it.  To get heel clearance I needed to go with the Jannd Expedition rack on the rear, but have used the Surly Nice Rack on the front, I really appreciate the double mounting option, I like riding with the front panniers very low.

My friendly genius mechanic at my Local Bicycle Shop came up with a nice mounting system for my rack and fender,  4 photos below:

[Moondoggy]

Very nice Thanks

[10speed]

or you can just order the LHT fork from any LBS, they are maybe $100. solves your issue w/ less screwing around.

[ducnut]

or you can just order the LHT fork from any LBS, they are maybe $100. solves your issue w/ less screwing around.

The 2010 version of the 'Check fork has mid-blade eyelets.

[westermanjt]

I am looking at building my own cross check.  I'm curious if you can tell me about your handlebar setup.  In all the internet searches I've done I've mostly seen the drop bars, or the odd looking touring bars.  Your handlebar setup looks like something I might like. 

Here's hoping anyone reads this.  I found this particular entry after doing a search for front panniers on the cross-check and then saw the first picture and loved the setup. 

on on.

[cotterg3]

I actually have two cross checks. One is almost entirely OEM (just a new stem and brooks saddle). I put a jandd low rider front rack on it, which essentially uses hose clamps to attach to the midblade of the front fork. It worked out just fine.

On the other cross check (actually its a travelers check, but same geometry) I put the surly front rack on. Its a beast (I think 2.2 lbs) but I love it. The platform in front is great for extra cargo, multiple rails is nice to adjust load height or throw massive panniers on front, and its got its one little eyelet to mount the fenders to the rack (pretty cool). It comes with a ~5 lb bag of hardware and is highly adjustable so I imagine it mounts to just about anything. On this build I used titec h-bars (jeff jones design) with a twist shifter.

Also, you can buy the new surly cross check fork which comes with midblade eyelets. Comes in black. My LBS ordered it for $75 (I think MSRP is ~$90). I was successful selling my old fork for $40, which you could try.

[cotterg3]

.....aaaaaaaaaaaaand then I realized this topic was over a year old.