Surly bikes are great, much better than some shity entry level bike. I have a crossXcheck which is what I reach for every time I go out on a all day ride because its so comfy, totally bombproof for whatever type of road I meet and rides well under load. Admittadly my only comparison is my condor track italia and a couple 2nd hand road and MTBs in the past but there is no way surly are on a par with a plain gauge frame or cheapo ali bike like langsters.