I am looking to purchase a new bike ($1000 - $1500) and have been researching like mad, visiting cycle shops, and reading endlessly... I have a few Q's yet.

I am currently riding a 2003 Specialized Crossroads Comfort Bike, which I love but find too heavy and perhaps a bit outdated as far as components are concerned.

My goal is to find a bicycle which weighs less and is still comfortable... here's where I'm at: A Cyclocross Bike with a comfort seat and handlebars added would be ideal. I ride primarily on roads and towpaths... some of which are compacted gravel or dirt. So, I would want the lightweight nature of the cyclocross bike with carbon forks, but I'd also like disk breaks. Apparently cyclocross bikes do not have these as they are built to race specs.

Any suggestions or knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks