The Cross Check is definitely a more versatile bike in terms of set up options. The extra tire clearance is one reason I went with the Cross Check. I run 35mm Nokian 106 studs in the winter, and 25mm Ultra gatorskins the rest of the year. Also I run single speed, and the Cross Check has long semi horizontal drop outs and the Pacer has verticle drop-outs, which are not ideal for a SS/FG.

I'm pretty sure you're right, the Pacer may be a bit faster and lighter due to it's road geometry, but the Cross Check is no slouch, it's very a comfortable road bike and it's ability to be built in practically any configuration really apealled to me. I know that if I want to change stuff as the years go by, it'll be ready.