Cyclocross - ?? Bianchi - Aquila - Cannondale ??

CX’rs – I’m thinking about buying a CX bike. I’m an expert level MTB rider and an accomplished roadie from many years back. I have a road bike now and love how much it helps my fitness on the mountain bike. I know that I would be compromising some of the speed I have over my current road bike but I want to keep that to a minimum. What I’m looking for is a CX bike that handles more like a road bike. Perhaps steeper geometry (less slack seat & head tubes)???
I don’t intend on racing CX, but I would like a road bike that is dirt worthy, preferably with a carbon fork for comfort and weight savings. I intend on selling the road bike and just use the CX bike for all road and light trail duty.

A couple bikes have caught my eye and would like your esteemed opinions about them.
Frame, fork, component mix and wheels.

1. Bianchi Axis – Carbon fork, 105 shifter/levers, Sugino cranks, Alex wheels
2. Aquila MegaCX – Carbon fork, full 105 group, Aerohead Pro wheels
3. Cannondale CX – Non Disc – Carbon fork, Tiagra shifters, some 105 stuff, TruVativ Elita SL Cross cranks, Gipiemme wheels.

Here is a link for each of the bikes…
1. http://www.bianchiusa.com/axis.html#
2. http://www.aquilacycles.com/show.php?bike=megacx
3. http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/cusa/model-4XR8.html


At the risk of being unpopular, I have discounted a number of bikes for a number of reasons. While all of these bikes are probably more dirt worthy than what I’m looking at, I’m not sure that they would fit the right niche for me.

1. Redline Conquest – too slack for the road riding I want to do, steel fork
2. Kona Jake the Snake – Same as above
3. Lemond Poprad – Same as above, steel frame (please don’t lecture me on steel)
4. Kelly – Same as above & price of building complete bike.

Thanks for your opinions,
EB

i love my axis so far. most of it's miles have been on road and it's great. the only part i would change is the triple for a compact dbl. otherwise put some road tires on and you're set. the alex wheelset is very light.

I ride a cannondale cross (2005), I love it. Most of the miles I put on it are road miles, but have ridden some dirt trials and fireroads with it. The geometry is more like a true road bike but slightly more slack. It is alum, so it is a harsher ride than say steel or ti, but not a huge factor for me. I ride it with a double crank and that seems to be plenty for what I do with my C dale. The only thing I dont like is that it doesnt have any rack or fender eyelets....otherwise great bike! My set up is:

King HS
Mavic open pro rims
King hubs
Dura Ace, STI and derailers
Truvativ Elita cyclocross double crank
Truvativ Gigapipe ti BB
Ultegra 12-27 cassette
Truvativ Rouleur HB and stem
1-X racing suspension seat post
Kelly saddle

I just bought the Aquila you got on your link. Though its a bit early to say, the quality and feel is very nice. I saw it on the website and then in the store (racer sportif Toronto) and I immediately fell in love with it. I also like the frame geometry. It is very responsive. I bought it because I wanted a bike for bad weather and winter cycling. It is no-where near as fast on pavement as my road bike of course:-). But thats not what it needs to be. I think it would make for a great commuting bike too, if you were to switch the tires. I will use it the way it is primarily for the pavement. Of course, now that I can, I will take the occasional short cut beyond the pavement:-).

Go for the Cannondale---I bought one looking for exactly the same thing you are looking for--great setup, rides well on/offroad etc. Then again, I'll always pick my Moots for any serious offroad riding!

I ride the C'dale you have linked: a 2004 Cross 800. It's a great bike. I too use it for the reasons you are considering. One thing, though, make sure the tech. tightens up the spokes before you wheel it out. The wheels have a tendancy to make clicking noise if the spokes are not tight enough.

Cheers