It's the difference between quantifiable performance and subjective feeling.

Sure, a CX frame with the right tyres is going to be essentially as quick as a dedicated road frame, but will it feel the same? No.

Well, it was a USA Cycling sanctioned criterium. But a small local series. I was not really being picky about handlebar regulations, and apparently the organizers weren't either. Frankly, it did not even occur to me. What did occur to me was "Damn! that guy on the mtn bike is dropping me!"

Lance Armstrong, with or without PEDs, riding a road bike, a criterium bike, a cyclocross bike, or a mountain bike, could handily beat me in a criterium. That doesn't mean I am going to like riding a cyclocross bike on the road as much as I like riding a road bike on the road.

Seeing as no one has given real strong reasons for not pursuing this avenue, now I am starting to consider my options....

Money no object would probably be a Moots frame with Enve fork

Or the Colnago Prestige

What about the new Ibis Hakkalugi disc?
Or the new Raleigh Pro Disc frame that comes with an Enve fork?

Cannondale?

Or LOOK - http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/look- ... isc-brakes

Thanks

euro cross,frames,tend to have higher BB for ground clearance in mud and sand etc. ....historically...
US cross frames tend to have lower BB presumably suiting generally dryer,conditions....

A US cross frame would be the closer of the two to a road frame and therefore arguably better suited to your needs.... Off the shelf...

Custom you could go pretty much road sportive geometry with clearance built in and disc specific not problem....
Worth considering currently the disc brakes on cross would not last too many alpine pass descents due to heat build up.... Cross is short sharp braking from relatively low speeds with recovery between applications... Big descents require repeated extended braking and hence thermal mass.....
You mentioned sportives so I thought it prudent to mention...

If you go something interesting please post it when done...

I'd go for it, stuff what anyone else thinks!

I've noticed in the market place that "Adventure" bikes are becoming more common, by this they mean a road bike that can go off on dirt roads, has extra tyre clearance and discs etc...

I want one of these...made by Calfee.

_________________
"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs

All of the options that you mentioned look good. As an earlier post mentioned, look for a cross bike with a low bottom bracket or go custom. Carl Strong builds a bike that would seem to be exactly what you are asking about. http://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/special/

Salsa also just started building the Warbird (and Warbird Ti.) Think the Moots you are looking at but for half the price.

I am strongly considering going the route that you are looking, please let us know what you end up doing.

wow, i didn't know one needs a whole new market segment in order to take a road bike off the tarmac for a bit.. of course these wide tires make it silly to even call it a road bike per se instead of, say, CX. 99% of owners would never-ever let their bikes touch the mud, so this extra clearance and discs seems like a coffee bar deal. on the other hand, i've no issues riding my 'regular' road bikes, with regular tires on (dry) dirt roads or light terrain such as forrest paths or fields etc.

from my bike shop days i can easily recall 'ambitious amateurs' who rode their fancy MTB rigs mainly on tarmac.. guess it's down to personal preferences after all

Well you learn something new every day tymon_tm...

_________________
"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs