Originally Posted by
Andy_K
The main flaw I see in your plan is that you put "just in case" here and said "next" fall. You should get a cyclocross bike and do cyclocross now.
If you are able to keep your mind set on the Cross Check as strictly a utility bike, you may be able to avoid this problem. Get an ugly color -- it helps with that. Look for a used Beef Gravy Brown. I made the mistake of having mine powder-coated a beautiful translucent blue. Now it wants to be a race bike, but it can't do it.
Unfortunately, I have some other obligations this fall-I do hope to head out to some practice sessions though.
IRT use as a utility bike-thankfully, I have another road bike to keep me from wanting the CC (or whatever bike I get) to do more than it wants to or is capable of. A comfortable bike for commutes, or that can handle rides in sloppy weather/crappy roads and not have me worry about the higher end parts is what I'm hoping for.