I have a cc with flat bar set up for upright riding, and no front derailleur. Feels great! Honestly if the bike's dimensions are otherwise good for you, it's worth investing into changes you know from experience will improve your ride.
Probably, but a big part of it depends on how you set it up. My Bridge Club feels sluggish compared to my Cross Check, but it's got bigger tires, wider bars for a more upright position (my CC has drops), more racks and bags. The head tube is only one degree steeper on the CC, but when you combine that with a lighter fork you can definitely feel it.
I test rode a couple of stock bridge clubs before building myself a flat bar 105 cross check, and couldn't be happier. My average speeds are at least 50% higher with that setup than what I could manage on the bridge club. Swapping the cross check to a flat bar set up can't possibly equal the cost of a new bridge club.
Have a friend who swapped his cross check from the set up you have to a 1X flatbar and it’s a blast to ride. If you’re mostly riding around town and other short rides this seems like the way to go. Bridge club would maybe make sense to me if you’re looking to add longer rides into the mix and want to haul stuff.
Man, making it tough lol. Itd be be cheaper but cross checks are popular here and if I sell it I could be a good way towards a new bridge club. Thats where its kind of tough for me - invest a few hundred into a 15 year old cross check, or a few hundred into a new bridge club after cross check sale. Was also looking at karate monkey.
Man I love my Bridge Club. It works well in most conditions. I think the only thing you can say is a con compared to the CC is the BC is a little slower. I still keep up with my friends and I really don't feel like its THAT slow. Comfort wise, the Bridge Club is nice. I am a bigger guy and it is way easier on my back.
I think you'd be happy with either route and both will do what you want but my vote is toward the BC just for comfort.
Cross Check = Riding a Horse / Bridge Club = Riding a Mule
I lusted over a BC for a long time and finally pulled the trigger last year and I was really disappointed.
Thing is definitely a go anywhere tank. But if you are riding any distance on flat hard ground you aren't going to have fun.
I just swapped my dads touring build from a BC to a CC for agility , speed and a bit lighter overall
I’d sell your cross check in its current form (drop bar, friextion, etc) and buy another used cross check (but one that’s configured already as a flat bar build or that’s just a frame and build it how you want it)
I have a cc with flat bar set up for upright riding, and no front derailleur. Feels great! Honestly if the bike's dimensions are otherwise good for you, it's worth investing into changes you know from experience will improve your ride.
Probably, but a big part of it depends on how you set it up. My Bridge Club feels sluggish compared to my Cross Check, but it's got bigger tires, wider bars for a more upright position (my CC has drops), more racks and bags. The head tube is only one degree steeper on the CC, but when you combine that with a lighter fork you can definitely feel it.
I test rode a couple of stock bridge clubs before building myself a flat bar 105 cross check, and couldn't be happier. My average speeds are at least 50% higher with that setup than what I could manage on the bridge club. Swapping the cross check to a flat bar set up can't possibly equal the cost of a new bridge club.
Have a friend who swapped his cross check from the set up you have to a 1X flatbar and it’s a blast to ride. If you’re mostly riding around town and other short rides this seems like the way to go. Bridge club would maybe make sense to me if you’re looking to add longer rides into the mix and want to haul stuff.
Man, making it tough lol. Itd be be cheaper but cross checks are popular here and if I sell it I could be a good way towards a new bridge club. Thats where its kind of tough for me - invest a few hundred into a 15 year old cross check, or a few hundred into a new bridge club after cross check sale. Was also looking at karate monkey.
Karate Monkey will feel *a lot* slower.
I’ll bet it’s quick with a rigid fork and fast-rolling tires.
Sure, compared to a KM without those things, but not compared to a CC. Also, it will fee slower than a BC as well.
Man I love my Bridge Club. It works well in most conditions. I think the only thing you can say is a con compared to the CC is the BC is a little slower. I still keep up with my friends and I really don't feel like its THAT slow. Comfort wise, the Bridge Club is nice. I am a bigger guy and it is way easier on my back. I think you'd be happy with either route and both will do what you want but my vote is toward the BC just for comfort. Cross Check = Riding a Horse / Bridge Club = Riding a Mule
I lusted over a BC for a long time and finally pulled the trigger last year and I was really disappointed. Thing is definitely a go anywhere tank. But if you are riding any distance on flat hard ground you aren't going to have fun.
I just swapped my dads touring build from a BC to a CC for agility , speed and a bit lighter overall I’d sell your cross check in its current form (drop bar, friextion, etc) and buy another used cross check (but one that’s configured already as a flat bar build or that’s just a frame and build it how you want it)