Convert road bike to cross?

[VeloVT]

I'm not sure a Cross Check would be my first choice if I had ambitions to race... I know there are lots of TE'ers who love their Cross Checks, but aren't they a tad on the heavy/clunky side for racing? Also, I know bar-cons are more durable, but STI's are so much easier to use if you're working really hard... I think there are a few other bikes out there in the $1000 neighborhood which you might be happier with.

By the way, don't listen to me because I've never raced cross in my life.

Edit: Drat, most of the bikes I was thinking of are now more like $1500. Everything is getting more expensive. The lowest end Redline Conquest is around $1000, not sure how heavy but it is alu instead of steel.