Somewhere between an off-the-rack production bike and a full-custom job is a "frame-up" custom. It's a nice place to be. Start with a frame--such as the SURLY Crosscheck shown here. It's a great cromo frame for around $429. Add your favorite parts--or the parts you can afford. Then, ride, tinker, ride, tweak till you get a bike that does exactly what you want.

Submitted for your consideration is mcg's Crosscheck...set up as a single-speed for city with fenders, lights, Brooks B17 saddle and a Carradice saddlebag that will hold a gallon of milk. Lose the fenders & bag, swap some knobbly tires on and it's off to the Wissahickon. Some fine year it may grow derailers and panniers and wander cross-state or beyond.

It's hard to get Crosschecks... they arrive infrequently in small bunches--still, they're one of our most popular bikes--worth waiting for.