Quote Originally Posted by Tali View Post
The trend here is to get a Ccx bike and set it up with (relative) slicks/fenders +/- racks since it's so rainy here in the winter. But, I wonder what the advantages of doing this over setting myself up with a true roadie are.
A true roadie will most likely not have sufficient clearance to accept fenders and/or the fatter tires (which are more useful in foul weather) that will fit on a 'cross bike.

I have no concrete evidence to back this up but I would bet my lunch money that most people who buy 'cross bikes don't actually race 'cross and have no desire to. But a 'cross bike (depending on the model; some are more oriented to racing) is as close to a "do everything" bike as you're likely to get: with fat slick tires, fenders, and a maybe a rear rack, it makes a nice, relatively fast commuter. With fat knobby tires, you can take it on all but the most technical of off-road trails. With skinny slick tires, it's a decent road bike (though it certainly won't be the zippiest/fastest out there). Some models can even be used for light-duty touring.