Wow, a lot of information to absorb... I'm at the office and will need to check back and grok it.

The first thing that popped into my mind was maybe going to a 700 x 32mm and going with the 50-34 chainring, and possibly changing the cassette if needed...

My thinking was a bit simplistic in the sense that I essentially have a roadbike geometry, but on a more rugged platform, and I want to bias the drivetrain towards that type of riding versus the expectations of cyclocross ... I hope that makes sense ...?