Cyclocross - Which oppertunity to take...

This is going to be a long post, so strap in!

I have one road bike which I absolutely Love!
It is a 2003 Giant TCR Composite (carbon) with full Ultegra build and mavic cosmos wheels.

I just came across an oppertunity to buy a Salsa frame at a very cheap price. I have narrowed it down to either the las Cruces Dreamsicle (cross frame), or the Campeon Road frame w/ carbon stays. The Las cruces frame is about $51.00 more than the campeon, for the prices I have been quoted through our supplier.

Do not get me wrong, I love my TCR carbon, however sometimes I find the geometry (ultra compact) to be a little TOO agressive for crusing/long casual rides. I have always been interested in obtaining a 2nd road bike for such purposes. The reason the Las Cruces appeals to me so much is because of it's versatility....being a cross bike, and one day I imagine I want to race cx races as well as road. I want to start commuting to and from work (fair lakes to reston). I have heard that lots of people use CX bikes for commuters. I am torn between getting a traditional road frame (campeon) or the cx frame (las cruces). Both of the frames are scandium and relatively the same weight.

Here are the options I have been brewing in my head;

- since i dont think i will be racing much this year (i know i know...dont say it)...and thus dont absolutely need the Gaint....I could transfer all of my ultegra items to the new bike (pending on frame?) Then i could use this bike for both commuting and riding around. One day I had planned on converting the Giant to campy components...all black of course :eek:

- Slooooooowly accumulate parts for the new frame (if cross; 105 stuff?...if road;105/ultegra mix)

- Build the new frame as a single-speed

- my main concern is which frame would you go for? the scandium road frame, or the cx?

I would greatly appreciate all and any comments or questions!!!!

-Omesh

I have no real knowledge of either Salsa frame. But if you really like your Giant, then you should keep it. If you're thinking of riding cyclocross (and I can tell you that there is a very full calendar this Fall for MABRA cross) then get the cross frame and build it up with affordable stuff. You can also ride it on the road, keeping in mind that with cross gearing you will spin out at the top end on long downhills. No biggie, I do some winter training on my cross bikes, but fall off the back sometimes on fast sections of group rides. But a cross bike combined with your Giant will give you the versatility to ride just about anywhere except technical single track. Your Fair Lakes to Reston commuting route is flat as a pancake on a bikepath- If you have space for 3 bikes (!) then I'd just use a junker beater or better yet, a beater fixed gear, rather than any bike you really care about. Commuting every day through all weather takes a toll on any bike, and I'd rather use one that I really don't have to worry about maintenance issues, or theft for riding to work. Fixed gear would be perfect for your commute- check out the Bike Club shop in Falls Church for a good collection of old bikes and frames you could convert. Put on some fenders and bulletproof tires and you have a practical fun cruiser for your commute.