My biggest dilema...

Cyclocross bikes typically have cantilever or disk brakes (yours look like cantilevers) for better tire and mud clearance. 'Cross bikes typically have a bit more relaxed geometries for better stability in rough conditions which might include changes in bottom bracket height. Cross bikes are typically set up to ride a bit less agressively as well as aerodynamics are a little less important during cross racing but that's a matter of stem selection and stack height so you could change your bar position easily enough. Cross bikes often come with compact cranksets and smaller chainrings but these are easy to change if you want.

Basically a good cross bike also makes a good road bike with road tires mounted. The cross brakes often have a bit more abrupt stopping characteristics but the differences are minor. I ride my road bike all spring and summer, but ride the cross bike starting late summer through cross season into wet winter riding. My speeds are basically the same on the cross bike when equipped with road tires and a bit slower when I ride cross knobbies but not as much as you might think. Since getting the cross bike out last month I haven't ridden my normal road bike at all and love the ride of the cross bike.

If you're going to road race or do fast group rides then you might want a road specific frame for quicker handling, more subtle braking characteristics and possibly a more aerodynamic bar setup. But if you're riding on your own and doing long rides and tours I'd personally stick with the cross bike and maybe buy a set of nice road wheels with road specific tires.

Good luck,
-Dave

Thanks man, yea I think mostly whenever I go into a LBS and see all the new beautiful bikes I really want one. I never actually tested one out on the road, so I'm trying to find out as much as I can before I go drop over $1K, but the main reason would be to have a newer frame and wheels (which is like 90% of the bike, lol)

-Greg

I also wouldn't mind spending around $2K on a new ride, but I'm thinking to ride out the season with this one, and look for one in the winter when the prices could go down.

when i ride my cross bike on the road the thing i notice most is the longer chainstays when pedal hard out of the saddle or sprint.

bikes/frames your size are often not aggressively bid after on eBay, you may be able to get something lightly used for a really good deal...

good luck