Cyclocross - Budget cross bikes

For under $600 how can you go wrong. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx.htm

Bikeisland is getting $200.00 for the frame/fork. http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1238
It would be hard to find a build kit new for the $400.00 difference.

Any opinions or experience with the actual bike?

If you read thru the Cyclocross forum you'll find lots of posts/threads about Motobecane bikes and bikesdirect.

For $700 or so, the best budget bike is the Bianchi San Jose. It can be left as a singlespeed CX or converted into a touring bike a la the late Sheldon Brown's San Jos8 with a Shimano Nexus hub!

If you read thru the Cyclocross forum you'll find lots of posts/threads about Motobecane bikes and bikesdirect.

I've read all of them. Mike gets a lot more respect here than in the road forum.

But the OP was more about a budget bike. I was searching for an inexpensive frame for my wife when I came across the Moto frame/fork. As soon as I found it I saw the complete bike for under $600.00 I started doing the math and couldn't justify buying a frame when the bike cost so little.

The only way the frame would be a deal is if your present bike was damaged and you're going to swap the group onto a new frame. Other than that the complete bike seems like a steal.

Unless you know what you're ordering in terms fo specifications and fit, I would order first bike at an LBS not bikesdirect. Online implies that you already know everything about the bike and fit. Me - beginner, did a lot of research on bikes and found a lot of LBS having clearance sales right now on 2008 b/c it's CX off-seaon. Found 2008 Fuji CROSS COMP AND PRO for 800, Giant TCX-0 for 750, Rocky Mtn for 1100. I settled for an Scattante X-580 for $780 at Perfornmance Bikes. Frame is made by Fuji but lighter than the comp pro. Has FSA and 105's which is good for a beginner like me since I will probabely destroy them..lol. Cheaper to replace than Ultegra's.

I've read all of them. Mike gets a lot more respect here than in the road forum.

But the OP was more about a budget bike. I was searching for an inexpensive frame for my wife when I came across the Moto frame/fork. As soon as I found it I saw the complete bike for under $600.00 I started doing the math and couldn't justify buying a frame when the bike cost so little.

The only way the frame would be a deal is if your present bike was damaged and you're going to swap the group onto a new frame. Other than that the complete bike seems like a steal.

You're correct...you couldn't build it out that cheap if you had to buy all the components new.
The only thing I would prefer on that particular bike would be Tiagra rather than Sora...but it ain't no biggie.
The only beef against BD and other online sources is that assembly is required and you can't ensure the bike fits by slapping your butt on it before purchasing...but if you are like me...basically mechanically competent and know what frame geometry metrics fit you (or in this case, your wife), those are not problems. ;)

I'm looking for something in that direction as well. I'm tempted by both the Cross Check and some of the Bianchi's. I'm trying to keep things around $800ish. I think I could do it if the frame was a little under $400.
I'm new to cross gear and I don't see much in that price range. Any ideas?