Cyclocross - Cyclocross bike recommendations

I am looking to replace a hybrid with cyclocross bike and need some guidance. I ride 75 % road and 25% dirt / rocky trails and can have only one bike. Looking for something that can take a good amount of abuse. Have been comparing the components and there is a wide range to look at. I know everyone will have their recommendations on this. Not sure what is a decent deal. My price range is $800 to $1750.

I have looked at the:

05 Trek XO1 @ 1199.00
05 Lemond Propad @ 1199.00
04 Bianchi Axis @ 1299.00
05 Redline Conquest Pro @ 1249.00
05 Redline Conquest @ 899.00
04 Redline Conquest Disc R @ 1399.00 (would need to change tires)
05 Fuji Cross @ 899.00
04 Fuji Cross Pro @ 849.00 (Closeout Pricing) 1250.00 Regular
05 Cannondale Cross @ 1000.00
99 Cannondale Cross @ 850.00 (New old stock)
05 Kona Jake the Snake @ 1100.00

Even look at a Cannondale Sport Road 800 @ about 1350.00

Thanks,
Jim

I suggest test riding as many of them as possible. Good bike fit is more important than component specification, IMO.

I pretty much just wrote this on another thread, but I have a Redline Conquest Tour and like it very much. Its more of a road ride, but has cantis for more tire clearance if I want. I rode the standard conquest and liked it very much, so I"m guessing the Conquest Pro feels the same just lighter with better components. Check out the Jamis Nova too, a great looking bike for 05. Soma Double Cross is nice, just have a lbs price out the build for you before you buy the frame. hope my ramblings help.

All nice bikes...fit will be your most important criteria. If you like the fit of your old bike then try to find one of these that match the geometry of the old bike. Also, you may to want to ask the LBS about tire clearance 'cuz I suspect you may want to go to larger tires in the future so you may want to keep that in mind.

Good choice for the type of riding you will be doing. You will be amazed at how much abuse these bikes can take.

I ride a 05 Poprad and would recommend it, but I haven't ridden any of the others so its not a recommendation based on a wide range of CX bike experience.

Your probably going to want a set of road tires and I found that CX racing tires were not quite tough enough for the trails I usually ride so I also got a set of off road tires (Conti Twister Pro)

What I most recommend is checking some of these bikes out in person - depending where you live you will find that no store carries all of them and many stores may not even have any on the floor. While fit and feel are most imporant, second is buying from an LBS that can provide the service you need - any bike ridden hard will require tuning up in the first 1000mi. I ordered the Poprad thru an LBS that worked with me on fit and also does warrantee maintenance as practice. This post purchase experience has been fanstastic and even better than buying the bike itself. For example this is what they have done in first 1500mi all at no charge:
-front and rear hub tightening
-crank tightening
-re-wrap of bar tape
-new chain
-trued rear wheel (front hasn't needed it)
-re-packed rear hub due to water contamination
-brake adjustments for wear
-tried different stem lengths
-and several other minor tunings I don't recall

The guys that work there are friendly and helpful. Sure you can do this stuff yourself, but its nice to have the LBS back it up and encourage you to keep the bike in top shape vs. you having to pursuade them.

Al

i shaved that list down to the bianchi axis
redline conquest pro
the fuji
and the kona jts.
ended up going with the bianchi and i'm extremely happy with it.