CCC Bike of the Month – March

community cycling center

This is a regular feature intended to remind you that when you buy a used bike from the Community Cycling Center’s retail shop (1700 NE Alberta) you are not just getting a cool bike, you’re also helping fund their amazing education programs for low-income youth and adults.



This month’s bike is a 56cm, 2007 Surly CrossCheck that CCC mechanic Benjamin Jaspers says, “will eat whatever you feed it.”

On sale at the CCC for $895.

(Photos by Alison Hill Graves)

Here’s more on the bike from the CCC’s Alison Hill Graves:

“This 2007 Surly CrossCheck is a piece of bike art that our mechanics love to create. Benjamin Jaspers, the CCC’s buyer and mechanic, built this bike with loving care by hand-selecting used parts to complement the new frame.

“This bike will eat whatever you feed it,” said Benjamin. “It can commute, race ‘cross, or go for a light tour.”

The story behind this bike is not so dramatic. The frame had been hanging in the shop for over a year. Since we want to see bikes out on the street and not collecting dust, it was time to make it road-ready and find it a new home.”

This sweet rig is on sale at the Community Cycling Center bike shop (1700 NE Alberta Street) for $895. Bring it home today, and bring a smile to a kid’s face tomorrow.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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JR
JR
16 years ago

Do you know what size frame it is?

Alison
Alison
16 years ago

Yes, it\’s 56cm. Sorry about that!

J-Ray
J-Ray
16 years ago

For $900 it better come with magical dancing candy bars ***deleted by moderator***, to quote a wise man.

Qwendolyn
Qwendolyn
16 years ago

What, because they\’re non profit they\’re allowed to price gouge?

Citybikes has that exact same bike NEW for $900

Donald
Donald
16 years ago

I was at my FNBS last night.

A bit of a crisis, really, but that\’s for the commute forum.

Anyway, saw\’r a old mixte frame in the offerings out front. Wanted like heck to put it in the Suby and bring it home.

Wife says I have enough at home already.

Frankly, I think she would have looked good on it. Right up to the point where the BB housing failed…or whatever it was that landed it in the Please Take This pile.

Donald
Donald
16 years ago

Damn this laptop.

Above meant for the thread preceding.

Doh.

Ashley
16 years ago

I\’ve been drooling over that Surly the last couple weeks while at the CCC\’s bike maintenance classes.

So. Dang. Sexy. Ahh Surly, I love you.

Hey Qwendolyn #4- used bikes are HOT. I would pay ten times more for a used bike built by awesome folks who believe in REUSE, and RECYCLING, then pay for it new. The price is built around the parts, and labor, and love put into building it. So take your attitude somewhere else.

Qwendolyn
Qwendolyn
16 years ago

10 times?
Really?
Slightly irrational, but if you have extra cash to blow then good for you. I guess.

phathack
phathack
16 years ago

Calm down, the bike has XT derailleurs and hubs, nice build. A frame doesn\’t make it the same bike.

parts list!
parts list!
16 years ago

Used:
mavic cosmos wheelset
ultegra front derailleur
xt rear derailer
specialized (sugino) triple crank
decent stem
decent bar
decent seatpost
cane creek headset
105 shifters
tektro oryx cantis

new:
frame and fork
deda bar wrap
MKS pedals and toe clips
cristophe straps
selle italia c2
Panaracer T-serv 700x32c tires
tubes
cables/housing

All together a very nice ride. It feels a little bigger than most 56 cm frames, and rides like a new bike.

Deder
Deder
16 years ago

\”for $$$895. Bring it home today, and bring a smile to a KID’s face tomorrow\”

Ahhh, the young at heart….I\’m supposing.

Scott Mizée
16 years ago

I still like to ride bikes.

Keeper of the real
Keeper of the real
16 years ago

I think it would be wise to get the Director of CCC to get Benjamin and some of the other employees to kindly remove their hands from the cookie jar; cherry picking all beautiful vintage and modern bicycles that could be sold for a large dollar amount to help fund CCC programs.

It is unfortunate so many well intentioned people donate their sometimes incredible bikes and parts under a misapprehension that they will help CCC, when all they are doing is probably taking up more room in Benji\’s garage.

David C
David C
16 years ago

Who are you to judge? Just a bitter former employee who wishes you could be doing what you accuse Benjamin and other employees of. Donations are given to the CCC to be sold to benefit the CCC and mechanics pay fair prices for used parts just like everyone else. Its really boring to see another jealous critic pointing fingers behind their screen name.
David C.
CCC Mechanic 3 years.

Keeper of the Real
Keeper of the Real
16 years ago

Nice try David. I don\’t even think your employees believe what you just wrote.

I would also compel the Director to see through your fraudulent posturing and use of smoke and mirrors to validate your own position in the service department.

I\’m sorry, but The fat needs to be cut out of the CCC so it can be sustained into the deep future rather that serve as a host to several parasites who would exploit it at the determent to serving the greater Portland community.

Tom
Tom
16 years ago

Ah, keeper, it\’s so much easier to denigrate someone else\’s efforts than to actually try to contribute something positive, isn\’t it? It sounds to me like you have no factual knowledge of how CCC currently operates. And if you really want to know, it helps to ask in a respectful tone, not accuse randomly.

Fortunately, I think that even in forums such as this where you can fire your rants anonymously (what poor etiquette), it\’s obvious to most readers that you have some type of hidden agenda.

Keep up the great work CCC Bike Shop!

Johnny
Johnny
16 years ago

Ahh the Surly Cross-check… A bike that does everything. Mine has survived so many wrecks, flips, bonks, dings and even a trip or 2 into the garage (sitting on the bike rack on top of my car). She still rides stable as ever (now a fixie since I crushed one of the down-tube shifter bosses). That\’s one heck of a great bike.

inkedup
inkedup
16 years ago

I must say you mechanics are very caddy and very overrated!

Get over it Keeper of the real and David C, life happens and you are missing out.

Isn\’t it about the ride? and not the \”jive\”?

Sike! your mama rides a mini bike, just love each other.

benjamin
benjamin
16 years ago

Kot\”R\”-

How is your comment even pertinent to this thread?

Do you seriously feel I am harming the CCC by spending money there?

To fill other folks in:
I own many bikes and am fascinated by neat/weird/funny/old bike stuff. It\’s a cool hobby! I should probably have a retirement plan instead of a bunch of bike projects, but that\’s much less fun (and nobody else\’s business!) I pay the same price for used/donated stuff as any customer would.

If anybody would care to take this topic to an appropriate forum, please send me an email or give me a phone call. I\’d love to have a constructive conversation about your concerns!
Benjamin Jaspers
928 848 3658
thatrobotcaneatawholewatermelon@hotmail.com

Larry Myers
16 years ago

I have a couple of things to say regarding this thread…the so-called \’Keeper of the Real\’ needs to do a reality check on his/herself (we don\’t know which, since he/she does not have the class, integrity, or courage to attach their real name to their public opinions). As a former CCC mechanic (for 2 years), I agree that some fat needs to be cut from the CCC structure, but NOT from the service area of the shop. Benjamin, David, Kevin, et al- these are the kind of folks that you want working on your bike; they are knowledgeable, competent, and passionate about what they do. Also, pricing of used bikes & parts is done by store management, not by the mechanics(who pay the same price for donated items that the general public does), so please don\’t make them the target for your unjustified, unfounded accusations. Go ride your bike or something…