ryanspeer

I'm really wanting to build a cross bike this fall, doubling for both racing and commuting, but anticipate having a very tight budget. What I'm *hoping* I can do is:
1) Scattante (sp?) frame from Performance - $249 w/ fork
2) Ultegra 9-speed grouppo (standard cranks would be fine, I think) - $350-$400, hopefully
3) Ksyrium Equippes (currently on my race bike, I plan on getting a different set of wheels for my race bike eventually) - already have
4) Budget alloy stem, saddle, and seatpost (already have bars, can always upgrade other stuff later) - $75ish
5) Budget-minded cantilevers - $40-$50.

I already have some SPD-style Ritchey pedals and shoes.

Theoretically with the above list, I could get into a semi-decent, albeit, kind of a starter cross bike for roughly $775-$800 (relatively liberal estimate), correct? Actual cross tires would probably add an additional $60 or so, I imagine.

All that being said, would it make sense to go with something like THIS MOTOBECANE? I couldn't care less for the BikesDirect debate raging in the road cycling forum, and couldn't give a rip one way or the other about the Motobecane name (I'd probably just rip the decals off and slap my "Carbonello" decals from VeloNews on it), but considering the parts included, it would seem like a deal that's hard to be reckoned with, right?

Any and all thoughts on this are welcome as I really do want to educate myself from actual crossers as to what a roadie - soon-to-be crosser should look for.

LBIkid

I'll take the plunge here...

I had a 2006 Moto Phantom Cross that I recently sold. For the money, I don't thik you could build or buy a better spec'ed bike. I sold mine because I over-bought. I had never intended to race it, but rather wanted a "do anything" bike that I would use both on and off road. The geometry was a little to aggressive for my level of riding. I ended up building a Cross Check that suits my needs better.

If you know your size and are comfortable ordering online, I think it is a great deal for the money. I received the bike in good condition and only had to assemble the brakes, attach the handlebar, pedals, etc. Nothing too complex to get it ready to ride. It is very light and I found it to be really fast (compared to what I was used to).

dzinehaus

1.) buy a cheap frame off ebay (aprox100$ decent) or find a nice old steel frame w/fork aprx 35-100$
2.) if you got a mtb groupo already use that 0$ (cause a mtb triple crank actually can be beneficial)
3.) pick up another set of weels for abou 100$ from the money you save
4.) again if you have old parts that will fit re-use them
5.) budget-minded cantis will cost bout 20$, regardless most cantis if will adjusted will do the job. just make sure you get enough clearance.

now you got a bike for 1/2 or 1/3 of your original budget.