Originally Posted by
MattofBostone
As far as specs go, there is no real downside to a cross bike is there? I think it would just leave more options open in the future for the purpose of the bike.
Versatility is key if you don't plan to own 7 or 8 single purpose bikes. (not that there's anything wrong with having 8 bikes)
Originally Posted by
MattofBostone
Do they carry any kind of weight penalty? Also- how are those cantilever brakes compared to normal road bike brakes?
They will be a little heavier but a big part of that is the weight of the larger tires. Nothing to be worried about though. They are still much lighter than most "geared" bikes. Canti's should stop as well or better than traditional road brakes. They clear mud better if you go offroad too!
Originally Posted by
MattofBostone
Another option would be to buy a frame and build from there although my perception is that ends up being more expensive than buying a whole bike. Would there be any big advantages to that?
You gain experience building up a frame from scratch but you gotta know what you want or you'll way overspend trying to get the best of everything.