Any tips on buying a good fireroad CX bike complete? Any suggestions on a reasonable priced bike? I don't want to race but want to use it on some of the S. Cal. fireroads instead of my MTB. Thanks

there's a lot of bikes at the sub $1000 price point and a bunch at about 1500. Generally, the cheaper ones have 105 level components, crummy wheels and weigh a bit more than you would like. Something like a Kona or Redline is a pretty typical example of a decent value in a bike in the lower price range. If you are patient, you can get a non-abused higher end bike in good shape for less than $1000, Cannondales seem to sell for less than they are worth, for example. I'd steer clear of bikes with 135 spacing if it were me and would avoid buying a used race bike, they just get too much abuse to make it worth messing with, i.e. don't buy one of my old bikes.

bikes have been on sale at Performance stores. They had a poop load of fuji cross bikes at one of the stores in Atlanta and they are a great deal. My wife had one and it was nice and light, full 105 and good wheels.

Any tips on buying a good fireroad CX bike complete? Any suggestions on a reasonable priced bike? I don't want to race but want to use it on some of the S. Cal. fireroads instead of my MTB. Thanks

for that kind of use a surly cross check's as good a choice as any. they can be had complete for <a href="http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&Category=664&Brand=405&type=T">~$900</a>(harris cyclery). you could build one up for a bit less. its a good gravel road/fire road bike. soma makes a very similair frame called the doublecross but I don't know if its available complete.