Pretty much every manufacturer has an cyclocross entry at around the same price point of the Cross Check. There is no magic in the Cross Check. Do a couple of google searches and you'll find a lot of good choices. I'd not worry too much about the frame material.

There was a thread on this not too long ago (week?) that went through this in detail and there were a lot of choices listed in that.

Found that thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post12738658

J.