>>1146503Nashbar usually has a $150 cyclocross frame but it's sold out.. They'll make more soon I expect. My experience with nashbar frames is okay. Don't expect any thoughtful design
Bikeisland has a great deal now on a $200 frame/fork. Pic related. Remember this is bikesdirect and the quality will be similar to nashbar. Personally I would not take a bikeisland carbon fork bombing down hills
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=3157Stripping the paint off of these frames will be easy. I did it with mine. The paint is cheap and not strong
The boss move if you're cheap is to convert a hybrid. Find the right one on Craiglist (alloy frame, steel fork) and convert to drop bars + gravel tires + better discs. People do this for cyclocross. You can keep the drivetrain and wheels and run them into ground before you have to upgrade. Strip the frame for cool points
