I agree that trying to swap bars back and forth isn't worth it. Besides, if you ride your cyclocross bike on trails with the drop bars, it will make your handling skills better when you race. Otherwise you are effectively riding two different handling bikes. The gearing on the Axis makes it a better all around choice. The Bianchi website shows cantilevers on the 2006 Axis. The only way to run V-brakes on drop bars is to use a special device to pull more cable (one brand is called a "travel agent") or to run bar end shifters and Diacompe 287-V levers. I've heard that the travel agent is not so good. V-brakes with bar end shifters is exactly what I run on my Surly. I love that set up but it is a little harder to shift when bouncing around than STI levers. If the Axis you are looking at does indeed have V-brakes, it is probably one of the two set ups I just described.