Originally Posted by
Chansnewbike
Hi I"m considering buying a cheap $800 Giant tcx1 cyclocross bike but I've always wanted it to be just as fast as a racing road bike (which it won't go as fast anyways). Should upgrade the gears as much as I can (Tiagra > Dura Ace)? Change to different wheels (but keep it being able to go off road and pavement) ? What would you do?
Save up for a bike you actually want.
Buying a bike and then upgrading it piecemeal is exactly the wrong way to spend money efficiently.