a lot of the new cx bikes out there are adapting a lower geometry. the old cx geometry was taller for two reasons - accomodating road hazards and allowing enough room fo the top of the toe clips to rotate clear of the ground. new bikes; most notably those from bianchi, trek, and stevens; seem to be getting nearly as low as traditional road bikes. the trail is still different, but i think most seasoned riders can navigate a cx bike, especially the low ones, through a technical crit with a proper brake set up.