When the Surly Cross-Check got discontinued last year, fans of the rim brake do-it-all bike were rightfully upset, yet over at Black Mountain Cycles, the Monstercross frameset picks up where the Cross-Check left off, with an arguably better geometry (with proper stack numbers!), 50mm tire clearance, and a stunning Pacenti PBP fork crown. What more do you need? These framesets are now available at Black Mountain Cycles ($875), so let’s check out more below.
Thanks to Blue Lug for these photos!
In our opinion, the Monstercross is not only an alternative to the Cross-Check, but it is currently the best alternative on the market. Plus, by supporting Black Mountain Cycles, you’re supporting a small, independent bike shop and company!
No bike can truly “do it all,” but these come darn close. A cross bike is always on cyclists’ lists of “if I could only own one bike…” This is Black Mountain’s “if I could only own one bike” bike.
The steel used in the cross frame is a heat-treated, double-butted, 4130 chrome-moly tubing that comes from the leading steel tubing supplier in Taiwan. It’s tubing Mike from Black Mountain specified for the ride quality he wants. Other features include Kirk Pacenti’s elegant Paris-Brest-Paris fork crown, clearance for up to 50 millimeters of rubber, and horizontal dropouts to fine-tune chainstay length or run it as a single speed.
Specs:
- Sizes: 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm
- Light-weight 4130 cr-mo double-butted tubeset
- Pacenti P-B-P fork crown w/ rando-style bosses
- Mounts for front and rear racks and fenders
- Three sets of water bottle mounts
- Horizontal dropouts
- Designed to fit 700c x 50 tires max
- Cranberry PMS 187 (pictured) or Fence Post Gray RAL 7030
- Includes seat post clamp
- The changes from the previous V5.6 to this V6 version include: rando rack type bosses on fork, 132.5mm rear spacing, revised frame size options.
- Choose an alternate headset from White Industries or Chris King at checkout. Installation is free with frame/headset purchase.
Check out the Monstercross V6 at Black Mountain Cycles.
