I've decided to get a single speed 'cross bike. Will be used year around for my mixed terrain commute, and I plan to race it during the season. (local series has a single speed class.) I've narrowed the choice down to two rather dissimilar bikes, the Bianchi San Jose and the Specialized TriCross single. LBS has both in stock in my size. Saturday I rode both on their indoor test track, and took the Bianchi outside for a ride.

I liked the Bianchi the best, but I am wondering if I had set myself up to prefer the Bianchi, and didn't really give the Specialized a fair shot. Specialized is lighter, which would be advantageous on race day. Bianchi is steel, which I have always liked.

I have found lots of on line reviews of the San Jose, not so much for the TriCross single. Anyone here with first hand experience with either or both of these bikes?

TIA