[NAH]

Hi,
I'm looking at picking up a cross bike, and was wondering if some one could advise me a little here. I want to be able to race with it, but I was wondering if there were any that would be suitable for road races, or at least training. I'm a XC guy, but want to train with the local roadies. I know there are some differences in the geometry, but would this stop me from using it as a road bike? Would it be advisable/feasable to pick up a second set of wheels and keep one with thinner road tires and the other with 'cross tires? Also, what frames would be suitable for this? Thanks for your time.
NAH

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[stric]

Try Kona's Jake the Snake. That's a decent CX bike that can double as a nice road bike with a more relaxied frame geometry. The bike comes with nice components, great frame and it is cheaper (under $1000) than similar bikes from Bianchi, Lemond and Redline. Jamis also makes a cheaper CX bike, but I'd stay away from them at least until they addres the issue of down-tube cable adjusters (they are welded on head tube instead on down tube and this cuases some problems to front cantilever brake).

[late]

Hi,
what's the budget? That's the starting point. IMHO, avoid hybrid, and so-called, cyclocross/touring frames. Lots of good bikes to pick from.

[NAH]

I haven't settled on a price range yet (I know, famous last words for wallets). I was going to try to keep it under $1000. If I could get a good frame and skimp on the components for the time being, that might be my preferance. I figure investing in the frame is a better idea, then replace components as they need it, then I have time to earn a little more cash.

[late]

Yeah,
if it isn't going to hurt financially speaking; that is a good way to go. I am a fan of this brand... http://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairs.php
But if you wind up getting it, make sure you get a Waterford paint job. The standard Gunnar paint keeps the price low, but it's
pretty bad. I've only actually ridden the Gunnar Sport, but from that I can tell you that under any name Waterford makes a real nice bike.

[jfmckenna]

If you have the cash a second wheelset is a great thing to have. You can use them at races for spares as well as for switching road to CX during your training. My girlfriend has a Poprad that she does this with and I use an old touring bike frame so I think you can get away with using any cx bike as a road bike...

[arctic hawk]

If you have the cash a second wheelset is a great thing to have. You can use them at races for spares as well as for switching road to CX during your training. My girlfriend has a Poprad that she does this with and I use an old touring bike frame so I think you can get away with using any cx bike as a road bike...
Got a 2nd set of wheels & they come in very handy
Wheelset 1 is mounted with CX tires
Wheelset 2 is mounted with road tires for commuting & the odd duathlon
Depending upon where I am going, what I am doing, swapping the wheels is much quicker than swapping tires.

[.Z.]

I bought a Kona Jake the snake a couple of weeks ago and can really recomend it. Here in Sweden there are no other alternativs for a cyclocross in that price range.

http://www.konaworld.com/kw_index.cfm

Look at 2005 bikes.