All great, quality advice here. I have real XC bikes and wannabes, which get pretty close.
I agree with the hybrid advice here if you are planning to do solo cross (out riding gravel, packed dirt, etc) or, maybe even vintage cross. The MTB option is, as discussed, also available. Yes, TTs can be looong. There is a thread on the MTBR.com vintage forum about drop bar mtbs. There is a forum member here who converted a Trek 660 into a SS CX bike, very nicely, I must say.
Below, my 1988 Fisher ProCaliber converted to trail and path SS bomber. It does very nicely.
