Originally Posted by
JeffOYB
Okay...
Which bike? (Among the kind I mention.)
And are they a lot different from each other?
(Original question still stands. If you don't like reading bike stuff, don't.)
Whichever one comes in the nicest color.
Are they different from each other? Of course they are. They come in different colors.
Yes, they have differences in part spec and possibly some differences in geometry. But so what? You don't seem to have any more ability to make an informed decision on those grounds than you do based on color. So pick the one that looks best.
I mean, you
should be concerning yourself with bang-for-the-buck and which the bike will fit you best. That's the real answer. But instead you're going on and on about questions that, even if you get answers to them (which isn't anyone's job - you can find info on geometry on a manufacturer's website pretty easily), would not help you make a decision. Because you don't know squat about what's important in 'cross bike geometry. That's not an insult, that's just the cold, hard reality of inexperience. Even if I had strong opinions forged from years of experience racing 'cross on the geometry of the perfect 'cross bike (which I don't), I wouldn't be able to make a recommendation based upon this question. Because I'm not you, and I don't know how you race.
So pick the bike that looks prettiest, or if you want to actually make a good decision, the one that fits you best, buy it, and stop worrying about it.