Hi,
I'm looking at picking up a cross bike, and was wondering if some one could advise me a little here. I want to be able to race with it, but I was wondering if there were any that would be suitable for road races, or at least training. I'm a XC guy, but want to train with the local roadies. I know there are some differences in the geometry, but would this stop me from using it as a road bike? Would it be advisable/feasable to pick up a second set of wheels and keep one with thinner road tires and the other with 'cross tires? Also, what frames would be suitable for this? Thanks for your time.
NAH

Try Kona's Jake the Snake. That's a decent CX bike that can double as a nice road bike with a more relaxied frame geometry. The bike comes with nice components, great frame and it is cheaper (under $1000) than similar bikes from Bianchi, Lemond and Redline. Jamis also makes a cheaper CX bike, but I'd stay away from them at least until they addres the issue of down-tube cable adjusters (they are welded on head tube instead on down tube and this cuases some problems to front cantilever brake).

Hi,
what's the budget? That's the starting point. IMHO, avoid hybrid, and so-called, cyclocross/touring frames. Lots of good bikes to pick from.

I haven't settled on a price range yet (I know, famous last words for wallets). I was going to try to keep it under $1000. If I could get a good frame and skimp on the components for the time being, that might be my preferance. I figure investing in the frame is a better idea, then replace components as they need it, then I have time to earn a little more cash.

Yeah,
if it isn't going to hurt financially speaking; that is a good way to go. I am a fan of this brand... http://www.gunnarbikes.com/crosshairs.php
But if you wind up getting it, make sure you get a Waterford paint job. The standard Gunnar paint keeps the price low, but it's
pretty bad. I've only actually ridden the Gunnar Sport, but from that I can tell you that under any name Waterford makes a real nice bike.

If you have the cash a second wheelset is a great thing to have. You can use them at races for spares as well as for switching road to CX during your training. My girlfriend has a Poprad that she does this with and I use an old touring bike frame so I think you can get away with using any cx bike as a road bike...

Got a 2nd set of wheels & they come in very handy
Wheelset 1 is mounted with CX tires
Wheelset 2 is mounted with road tires for commuting & the odd duathlon
Depending upon where I am going, what I am doing, swapping the wheels is much quicker than swapping tires.

I bought a Kona Jake the snake a couple of weeks ago and can really recomend it. Here in Sweden there are no other alternativs for a cyclocross in that price range.

http://www.konaworld.com/kw_index.cfm

Look at 2005 bikes.