Cyclocross - Help! parts for Gunnar Crosshairs

Hey guys, just wanted some expert opinion on a few parts for my new old bike. Not sure yet exactly how I will be using the bike (maybe cross, road, commuting), but I want it to have a good combination of being fast, light, comfortable. I appreciate all your input as I am out of the loop as far as this stuff goes.

WHEELS: Right now it has a road setup with Mavic Cosmos w/700x23c's. Would these Cosmos be ok for cross or ok to put 32c tires? If not, I would just buy another wheelset and put 32c tires. What are some good, not too expensive wheels? Mavic cxp-22?

SEATPOST: Should I do carbon? Thomson Elite? Is Ritchey Comp decent?

SADDLE: Need comfort here. one that minimizes soreness. Selle San Marco? Brooks?

PEDALS: I want the ones that give me the option of clipless or platform.

SHOES: Mountain or Road?

Again, thanks for any input you guys can give me.

imo, re: pedals: i've found that pedals that have both clipless and platforms (clip in the center, platform cage surrounding it) do their respective jobs poorly---the clipless pedal is heavy and obtrusive, and the platform lacks meaningful street shoe traction. it's been easier for me to just switch pedals when i need to (or, in my case, ride short distance slowly on my clipless pedals using street shoes). switching out pedals takes all of 5 minutes.

shoes: i like the mountain shoes because i can walk about a little better in them when i'm off the bike (they work better for me in my commute, between bike and office).

saddle: everyone has their own preference, and i am definitely a fan of brooks saddles. but in my rainy clime, i do tire of riding with a plastic bag on my saddle. a synthetic saddle would just be wet, and none the worse for the wear.

seatpost: rather than materials, i'd ask along the lines of set-back or no set-back. unless you have an AL frame, in which case, you might go carbon, and then ask yourself: set-back or no-set-back. Moots makes some very lovely Ti seatposts if you have the clams.

happy riding!

I'm using Thomson on two of my bikes. They're actually very light compared to other alloy seatposts. Using CF will save you a few grams but at what expense?

RE: Pedals. My wife has some Shimano SPD "campus" pedals on her run-about. One side is SPD, the other is a platform. Work well enough for a run about, but the platform is small-ish (fine for "bar hopping", but too small for long rides). The clip side is normal SPD, though probably doesn't shed mud as well as a real offroad pedal - but then, I doubt that's a design parameter for a campus pedal.

RE: Shoes: Assuming you need a "campus" pedal, you'll want an SPD compatible mtn shoe. They'll work with any off-road clipless system. They'll be more walk-able than a road shoe.

My two cents

Wheels - You should be able to fit larger tires no problem, I have fit 35's on a thin track wheels with no problem. Have no experience with that particular wheel or it's durability so won't comment on that.

Seatpost - I am a big fan of ritchey stuff have had both comp and pro line with no problems. Have no experience with Thompson stuff.

Shoes & Pedals – dual sided mtb for me that is one of the perks of mtb pedals and stiff mtb shoes, I found some of the cheaper mtb shoes were a little on the flexy side and caused hotspots on longer rides. I will cheap out on the pedals before the shoes. Basic shimano mtb $45 pedal on my bikes and $250+ shoes on my feet. Then get a set of platforms and a pedal wrench switching out pedals takes less than a minute. The combo pedal I had sucked half the time I was on the wrong side. I switch out pedals regularly on my commuter.