Cyclocross - Yet another "choosing a frame" thread...

Hello.
I have decided to get back onto a cross frame. I’ve got a couple of criteria already, so I’d love some suggestions based on these. My budget for frame and fork is around $1000. I want to be able to race the bike, but I don’t want a one season throwaway. I’m going to use the Campy parts that are currently on my road bike (a nice steel seven axiom) and put the road frame on ice (or ebay). With the intention of running slicks on the cross’ frame come Spring: So it should be able to double as a road bike for fast (by my ancient standards) training rides. Some of the bikes I have thought about:

Van Dessel, Gin n’ Trombones; right price but I’m weary of the thought that the frame may be picked from a Taiwanese catalog.

Curtlo; handmade steel at a decent price

Waltworks; see above

Yeti; Right price, headset included. Made in Taiwan, though supposedly at a small builder. Does it’s being made of Aluminum mean it’s a disposable race-bike?

Any thoughts?

Hello.
I’m going to use the Campy parts that are currently on my road bike (a nice steel seven axiom) and put the road frame on ice (or ebay). With the intention of running slicks on the cross’ frame come Spring:
Any thoughts?

I have an old steel Torelli (made by Guercotti) and run a 9 spd Daytona with a Racing T crankset. Works great as a CX or Road. Run 23s on my rims...no problem.

Yeti only make 250 of their bikes and they are gone -- hopefully they will make more next year. The Kona bikes are always worth a look or perhaps the Redline Team frame with the full carbon Ritchey fork.

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairs.php

I considered using the Seven with a cx fork and Pauls racer brakes. But the standover of the 56 x 57 would make it too big for me. If I'm going to justify taking the 7 off the road in favor of a cx bike it has to be a nice enough frame to keep me happy when doubling as a road bike...

Thought about Gunnar, never seen one in person. Thanks for all the input folks!

Also check out Soma Double Cross. Tange Prestige tubing. The matching fork (optional) is a Tange T-2402 (Infinity tubing).
http://somafab.com/frames.html

Also check out Soma Double Cross. Tange Prestige tubing. The matching fork (optional) is a Tange T-2402 (Infinity tubing).
http://somafab.com/frames.html

Hi. Yeah I hate to sound like a bike-snob but i probably want something a littler more boutique to help me forget my seven :)

Ridley

Hi. Yeah I hate to sound like a bike-snob but i probably want something a littler more boutique to help me forget my seven :)That's what I figured. But it is a nice frameset. Fork might be heavy for some.

Thanks for all the help folks. I found a yeti in my size and it's on the way as I type!