Brent is riding the less-expensive Eurocross 525, which he says has proven to be a very popular, albeit fractionally heavier model than my Dedacciai bike. Click here for Brent's take on this bike. I bought one of the 853 bikes late last year.

A Steelman may be had as a complete bike or as a frameset; I bought my first Eurocross as a frameset and built it up with an Ultegra STI drivetrain (48/39 chainrings, 175 crankarms), XTR cogset (12-28), 105 headset and bottom bracket, Time pedals, SRP's Mr. Grumpy brakes (since replaced with Dia-Compe 986 canti's), Cane Creek Crono Cross wheels (since replaced with Mavic Open Pros laced to Dura-Ace hubs), Vredestein Campo 700x28/32 clinchers, Flite saddle, Control Tech post, Salsa stem and Scott Drop LF bars (since replaced with Salsa's new Bell Lap bars), finished off with Off the Front Volante tape. Nothing particularly trick about the setup, but the bike still weighs in at a respectable 22 pounds.

This is the bike I've ridden and raced the most over the past few years, and it's the one I trust in all conditions -- rain or shine, ice or snow, "classic" 'cross or mountain-bike fear-fest. It steers a straight course through soft sand and down steep slides, is a firm platform for sprinting away from a barrier or power-climbing out of the saddle, and is plenty light enough to shoulder for the steepest run-up.

--Patrick O'Grady/Mad Dog Media