Cyclocross - Help Me Pick Out a Cross Bike

So I'm "in the market" for a cyclocross bike but I'm not really sure what to be looking at. I want something that will be good for racing and gravel riding, but also for commuting and random trips to places.For some reason, I don't really like the look of the Specialized/Giant/Trek models, which seem to be a bit overdone for how I'll be using it. I like simple.

I am looking at a black Surly Cross Check and a black Diamondback Steliacoom RCX. I like all black a lot, but it's not a requirement. Price range up to $1,200, but cheaper is preferred. Any suggestions?

Narrow your price range: say $1000-$1200 or $850-$1050.
Find bikes that have the following: rack & fender eyelets; in-line brake levers. I think those two things will be helful for your commuting/random trips requirements.
Ride bikes until you find the one you have the most fun riding.

Kona Jake. MSRP $1099. You might be able to find it for less. Great bike. Great company. Entry level race components, great for commuting and general riding. Swap the pedals for double clipless, or combo (clipless/platform) and you have a fine ride that'll be very versatile.

I went for a used 2003 Jake the Snake. 105 series components, fender compatible, light (22 lbs), and dang near as fast as my road bikes.

Any suggestions?..
what brands are FS at your LBS? NB: there, is where you get service after the sale.

locally LBS, here, has Raleigh, Redline and Trek.. though also having a QBP account
Ridley, Surly and Salsa can be Special ordered.

Another dealer, carrying the Specialized Imports, brand, is in another town.

Fuji Cross Comp from Performance Bike. Got mine for $849, plus you get the rebate if you are a club member. I put many miles on it this summer as my road bike, I commute on it, and actually race CX on it. Has Shimano 105 shifters, FSA crank, Shimano derailleurs, is a really good deal for the price.
If no Performance shop nearby, you will likely have to pay your LBS to do the initial build for you - get a price from them going in. And buy something every time you walk thru the door, even if it's just a couple of the Chamois Buttr 99c "field tubes." In fact, if you need a helmet, etc, buy it when you are there talking to them about the build - they seem, at least around here, for the most part to be a tad less churlish when they don't feel you've totally thrown them overboard (actually, the slender margin on a bike at the LBS gets eaten up pretty quick by their build, free tuneups, fit, etc...).

The cross comp is a nice bike, especially if you can find it at that price. If you are capable of assembling your own bike you might consider the Windsor Cyclo from bikesdirect.com. I got one a couple of months ago and have been commuting on it daily and couldn't be happier at the pricepoint of 795 with free shipping. It lacks a chainstay bridge so you have to improvise to attach fenders, but its not a big deal. Its a good deal for a 105/Ultegra bike. It is specced almost identical to the Fuji. You'll probably want to replace the tires for commuting and the stock seat did a number on my butt.

Gary Fisher Lane? http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/cyclocross/steel_cross/lane/#

I used to have a cross comp... a little heavy, but not a bad bike. Might be a little aggressive for non-racing purposes (reach=396mm, stack=531mm). Comparatively, a Kona Jake in 53cm has reach=385mm, stack=558mm; and the Specialized Tricross in 54cm has reach=374.1mm and stack=580.7mm. The reach is really dependent on what you need, but the stack height differences are significant. It would take a lot of spacers and a massive rise to your stem to get the more commuter friendly bar height that the tricross offers on the cross comp.

Point being... these bikes fit VERY differently. It sounds like you are going to spend a lot of time on this bike, so get out and ride them before you even look at the spec sheets. The best deal is no deal at all if the bike doesn't fit, so look at that before components (and to some degree price). You'll be happier in the long run.

anyone got a link to the fuji cross comp on BD? I couldn't seem to find it but maybe I'm blind

BD doesn't sell the Fuji, I believe Performance does.

BD doesn't sell the Fuji, I believe Performance does.

Yes, it is sold at Performance.

I just purchased a Nashbar Steel Cyclocross bike - currently selling for $750 w/105 5700 shifters, derailleurs and cassette (chainset is FSA Gossamer cross, chain is KMC) Its certainly not a light bike, but it is very smooth, stable and predictable and seems like it will be quite durable. It has mounts for fenders and a rear rack (carbon fork so no front rack mounts) and to the OPs preference, has no branding whatsoever - solid forest green. Probably more suited for commuting than racing, but I plan on racing it.

Kona Jake. MSRP $1099. You might be able to find it for less. Great bike. Great company. Entry level race components, great for commuting and general riding. Swap the pedals for double clipless, or combo (clipless/platform) and you have a fine ride that'll be very versatile.

This. Also, if you get a 2010 or earlier model, it has a much simpler paint scheme, instead of the dual colors of the current model. Although the current ones actually look pretty good IRL.

Kona Jake.

+1

So I'm "in the market" for a cyclocross bike but I'm not really sure what to be looking at. I want something that will be good for racing and gravel riding, but also for commuting and random trips to places.For some reason, I don't really like the look of the Specialized/Giant/Trek models, which seem to be a bit overdone for how I'll be using it. I like simple.

I am looking at a black Surly Cross Check and a black Diamondback Steliacoom RCX. I like all black a lot, but it's not a requirement. Price range up to $1,200, but cheaper is preferred. Any suggestions?

Stretch the budget a wee bit and get yourself one of these : >

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1070383.jpg

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1070373.jpg

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1050366.jpg

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1050362.jpg

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1050360.jpg

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac78/Mostyn_01/P1050369.jpg

2011 Ridley X Ride with Ultegra Levers and Rear Mech, also Fitted with V-Brekes