Cyclocross - Poprad vs XO-1

So, I've about to pull the trigger on a new cross bike and my choices are a 58cm XO-1 or a 59cm Poprad.

My only real hangup is the size differences.

What is the conventional thinking regarding sizing a cross bike? Size-down from what you'd ride on the road? Same size as what you'd ride on the road?

Both bikes have a shorter effective top-tube than my road bikes, with the XO-1 being the smallest of the two choices.

Then we've got the fact that the Poprad is steel and the XO-1 is aluminium. *cues age old debate about which material is better* For reference, frame material doesn't matter to me, in fact, the steel Poprad appeals to me a bit more if only because its OG. :)

What would BikeForums do?

So, I've about to pull the trigger on a new cross bike and my choices are a 58cm XO-1 or a 59cm Poprad.

My only real hangup is the size differences.

What is the conventional thinking regarding sizing a cross bike? Size-down from what you'd ride on the road? Same size as what you'd ride on the road?

Both bikes have a shorter effective top-tube than my road bikes, with the XO-1 being the smallest of the two choices.

Then we've got the fact that the Poprad is steel and the XO-1 is aluminium. *cues age old debate about which material is better* For reference, frame material doesn't matter to me, in fact, the steel Poprad appeals to me a bit more if only because its OG. :)

What would BikeForums do?This is all it boils down to, they are both fine, good-looking bikes.

Have you tried both of them? That's usually a good method of determining which bike is better. But if you really just can't decide, the Poprad has way more class to it than the XO-1. The XO-2, on the other hand...

I've ridden both.

I'm leaning more and more towards the Poprad. For less money I'm getting a better group (ultegra/105 mix), plus the Poprad has more familiar geometry (My road bikes are all LeMonds).

i would go with the poprad, but then again i'm a little bias :-) very good looking bike, rides very well.

Plus, you can't forget the whole "Lemond won't be carried by Trek next year" kinda deal. Makes the Poprad alittle more rare and alittle bit more unique.

i just purchased the 09' 52" XO-1 over the poprad and bianchi axis. as for as class i feel they are all on the same level. it just came down to feel and preference. i felt more comfortable with the xo-1. the response of the xo-1 was smoother and not as stiff as poprad and bianchi. [fyi i am beginner, but i test ed each bike 4x with advance riders. they all agreed the xo-1 responded well. I get it this friday and i can't wait to get it on the road.

As for sizing, the advice I received was "same size as your road bike, or just a tad smaller." Mine is a tad smaller on the top tube -- 54.7 vs. 55.0. Identical on the seat tube. The next size smaller was a lot smaller.

I ended up getting the XO-1.

Couldn't be happier with it.

If the both feel similar to you, I'd go with the Poprad. The steel frame and component mix would seal the deal for me.

You never said, but I assume you're going to race with it versus using it to commute with...?