Originally Posted by
flargle
I hope at least one of you is joking. A cross bike is the fastest whip for the job, whether it has drop bars or flat bars, disc or rim brakes, 33mm or 38mm tires. For cross, you want a light, stiff bike that climbs, accelerates, and portages well. Which isn't to say that a light hardtail mtb can't do well in a cross race, but a real cross bike is tailor-made for this specific form of racing.
That's what I wasn't sure about, obviously you want a lighter bike on your shoulder when you have to run with it and for the straight fast sections I do feel I gain something by going down into my drops, but in hairpin corners I'd prefer the 26" wheels and larger contact area of wider tires.