The Surly Cross-Verify was a pioneer. It was a flexible and reasonably priced gravel bike a long time earlier than the gravel class actually existed. However the Cross-Verify is not any extra. Occasions have modified, applied sciences have developed, and Surly is shifting on. They nonetheless constructing loads of trendy versatile drop bar bikes from the Straggler to their latest Preamble. They usually’ve teased that a number of extra new bikes are in growth.
However the rim brake Cross-Verify is useless. And so we’re gonna shortly pour one out for an previous good friend…
Surly Cross-Verify 1999-2023, Relaxation in peace you previous soul!
First off a shout out to web bikeshop good friend Parallel Handbuilt for sharing the unhappy information of the Cross-Verify’s passing, and pointing me in direction of the shifting Bicycle Pubes eulogy. And possibly to James Johnson now of Analog Cycles who guided me within the Surly virtues manner again within the day. You see, I used to be working in a motorbike store within the US when Surly launched the chromoly metal Cross-Verify manner again in 1999. It was Surly’s third ever bike. And it was a revelation.
Right here was an inexpensive welded metal frameset with a lugged crown fork and canti brake studs masquerading as a cyclo-cross bike. However actually, it was an invite for journey.
It was a clean canvas to construct no matter bike you needed. This was a cross bike, a fats tire street bike, a metropolis commuter, a loaded touring bike, or a limiteless journey bike. It match any hub spacing normal of the day. And that was the one normal that actually different from bike to bike again within the day. It was every little thing we are saying a gravel bike can do now, simply with out the phrase gravel. And it solely set you again $389 in 1999 for a cross frameset with 45mm tire clearance. The bounds had been as much as you.
Over the subsequent 24 years, the minds of numerous cyclists had been corrupted by using filth roads and gravel roads on Cross-Checks. Paired with 32mm & 35mm Panaracer Pasela tires, that was the start of gravel biking in my thoughts.
Why did it go away?
Anyway, Surly simply quietly took the Cross-Try of their line-up. In line with Surly model supervisor Dan Rasmussen, they’re all “unhappy to see it go as gross sales had been sturdy till the top.” However occasions have modified. Everybody’s on disc brakes now. So the rim brake Cross-Verify – final actually up to date round 2017 – was merely not maintaining with the occasions. And Surly already had the Straggler – a lot the identical bike because the Cross-Verify, however with disc brakes – since again in 2013.
And there’s the lighter, extra trendy Preamble with an all-road leaning, however nonetheless room for 41mm tires. Now, there’s much less and fewer motive to maintain the previous bike round.
So, what’s subsequent?
Rasmussen describes the choice to retire the Cross-Verify as “multifaceted“. We take that to imply is that despite the fact that the Surly crew held the previous bike pricey of their hearts, it in all probability simply didn’t make logical and monetary sense to maintain it round. When on the identical time, they may commit sources to different extra up-to-date initiatives. Rasmussen assures us that, “Surly is doing nice“. And that they’ve “a number of new bike and [parts & accessories] choices that will probably be popping out within the coming months and years that we’re actually enthusiastic about and can no-doubt be nice additions to the bike business.“
So, let’s bear in mind the beautiful, pioneering Surly Cross-Verify as a pioneering gravel bike. And we’ll stay up for what Surly has within the works!
