Depends on where he's at in Oregon. It's pretty flat in most places. While we do have a lot of mountains, most people live in the valleys.

I've had several Tricross's and they are a very nice bike. Yes you can race them and I have several times. They are built for rough riding and jumping off a curb is nothing to them. I've never even had to true my wheels and this after beating the living crap out of it during cross season. The models I've had were the Comp and Pro model. Not cheap.

Nothing wrong with Canti's either. You just need to know how to properly adjust them and have a good set of pads on them. Mine would toss you over the bars if you hit them hard enough.