good beginner cx bike chris king cielo cross
 

So is the chris king cielo a good cross bike? Would it be a good beginner cross bike?

http://cielo.chrisking.com/bikes/cross-details/

I love the 80s, but I'm concerned that the cross might be too heavy. On the other hand this 4 cowbell cx bike weighs 20lbs http://crossbikereview.com/bikes/rev...tt_CXTeam.html.

I appreciate your expert advice. I'll be here for a while until this cough goes away.

IMO, horizontal dropouts are an AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL thing to have on a modern CX bike. On those grass hills where you're trying to crush your pedals in the 39x27, barely moving and about to fall over your wheel will slip forward and jam in your seat tube. My Serotta winter bike is like that. I need to really crank down my Shimano skewers to stop that.
Add in how many times you might change wheels, and the bumps and shocks. Horizontal dropouts should be left in the 80's.

YMMV.

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Love the Cielo but $1,895 for frame/fork is hardly a beginners bike.

Really, as a beginner you probably don't need a really expensive bike to reach your potential. Something like the Kona Jake will do just fine. In fact, that's still what I'm riding in my third season. You can spend the money you'll save on entry fees.

so expensive.

If you want the bike then get it. It is a great versatile bike that will last you a long time. There are other OX Platinum cross bikes for less money. A use Poprad would be a good example but if you wanted a cheap entry level CX bike, this is not it.

The bike is MADE IN AMERICA. That is why it is expensive.

It's also made in the Pacific NW (Portland, OR) and we loves our singlespeeds out here. Hence the sem-ihorizontal drop outs.

You could get an entire bike on sale for the cost of the Cielo frame. I think Chris King is Awesome. I think this because my team mates and friends who use their parts tell me they work great. The sponsor the local race scene with wrenching help, Lemonade at Short Track MTB races (and usually brownies or something good) and hot cider and Coffee at the crusade. That said, I don't own a Chris King anything because I can't afford any of it. I plan to get a bb on our next team deal.

However, if price is no barrier, go for it. Buy exactly the parts you want, get it fitted (The Cycle One guy did a good job for me, if the OP is in the Prortland area).

But if you have to miss races to save up for it, screw that idea. Get on craigslist or shoot down to performance nd get a bike and start riding.

The junkyard bike thread guy has the right idea. Find something, make it work and start riding.