Originally Posted by
sheepdog84
should I... build up a steel CX/all rounder a la a Rychtarski? We have a lot of trails and a cx scene that my current stable would have a difficult time tackling.
Should you make your 3rd bike a CX? Absolutely yes. Should you go nuts on a custom frame? Hell no. You don't even know how much trail riding you'll be doing. Buy something cheap and used to see if you're into it. Once you've spent a season tackling your local trails you'll be in a better position to know what you want in terms of an upgrade (frame material, geometry, disc/rim brakes etc).
You could buy a frame, move your parts from the CAAD10 over for a few months then make the call on building something up. OR Another option would be to go the all-rounder route and move the parts from your CAAD10 to a CX frame with a lower BB. You'll gain 1-2lbs but you wouldn't need another bike (want, maybe, but not need).