Cyclocross - Bianchi Axis vs Salsa La Cruz

I've decided it's time to add a more multi-purpose style bike to my stable in addition to my road and mountain bikes. The seemingly perfect mix is obviously a cross bike. While I haven't raced cross, I have the aspirations to do so one day. My current uses for the bike would be a mix of commute, gravel century rides, and possibly some occassional single track or just general exploring type rides.

I really love the La Cruz and the spec of the bike is pretty sweet. The cost is quite a bit higher than what I can get an Axis for. Is the ride of the steel La Cruz bike going to be that much better than the Aluminum Bianchi? The only bike I can test ride locally is the Axis so that leaves me short on being able to put in my own input on the ride differences.

I'd love some opinions on either bike and even better if someone has ridden both.

Thanks,
Rick

I'd love to hear some opinions on this, anyone?

Are you looking at the 07 or 08 Axis?

At msrp the Axis is kinda overpriced. You can get a lot better deals on an aluminum bike with a carbon fork and Tiagra drivetrain. Not that Tiagra is bad--I ride it, it's just not worth 1300 dollars. If you can get the bike for 1100 dollars or less it's a better deal.

The 08 is racier than the 07--double in frotn instead of triple, for example.

I would say that the disc equipped La Cruz is not designed with racing as the primary goal, but it's perfectly raceable as long as the organizers allow discs.

Both are good bikes, but if I was looking at racing a snot a priority, just an afterthought, the la cruz would be my pic. Discs+ steel + slasa paint job and components makes it a much more fun looking bike than the Bianchi.

Just my thoughts.

Actually, it's a leftover 06 Axis. I ended up picking it up yesterday since the LBS shot me a deal I couldn't refuse. He sold it to me for cost (under $900) just to get it out of the shop. They don't even sell Bianchi anymore so it worked out pretty well for both of us I think. As I was on my bike when I made the deal, I didn't get to take it home, so I'll be picking it up tomorrow. I'm not exactly thrilled by the tiagra components either, but they truly didn't feel much different than the 105's on my current road bike, plus if I want to upgrade the road bike, I can pretty easily drop the 105's to the Bianchi and step up to Ultegra on it since both are 9 speed triples with long reach rear deraileur.

Rick

Just ride what's on it until it breaks. Well, one possible suggestion. I assume the bike has knobbies on it; depending on the sorts of places you're riding it, consider switching to a slick/semi-slick tire in the 32c to 35c range, like Panaracer Pasela or the Jack Brown. You'll be much happier on the road and hardpack, and only be giving up traction in the loosest gravel or mud. Run them at the low end of their recommended PSI or even lower.