Most cyclo-cross specific components can be purchased through your local favorite bike shop (they may have to special order some items for you). Most shops are now carrying ready-to-race cross bikes.
Pedals: TIME ATAC (not the older model Aliums- the bearing seals were very poor; can't speak for the new model Aliums), Crank Bros Candy or Egg-Beaters.
Wheels - light and strong! Most good road wheels work in 'cross no problem. Cross requires lots of accelerations, so lighter rims are an advantage - aero is less of a concern. I am training on Neuvation R28SL now; the M28 is an economical sturdier wheel.
Saddles: whatever you like with steel rails
Clincher Tires: Panaracer Cross Blasters, Panaracer Cinder X (harder to find, 35mm wide)
Tubular: Clement Grifo 34 (same as Challenge & Gommitalia), Dugast if you can afford them.
Brakes: Spooky, Paul, Redline Radius, Avid Shorty, Cane Creek, TRP Carbon. I am riding Spooky on my Blue, but am going to try "modern" design Cane Creek on my spare bike just to compare.
Cross Top Mount Brake Levers: Salsa, Paul (only complaint is no cable adjustment), Tektro.
Gear Set-up: 46/39 with 13-25; a 46 up front is usually enough, and the new compact cranks with 46/36 or even 34 are better for young riders A few of the guys are racing single ring up front (42 most common) with a 12 x 26 or 12 x 27 in the rear.
Bar Tape: Salsa Gomma (can be washed and doesn't absorb water). Cork is good also in the relatively warm and usually dry Georgia races.
Seatpost: aluminum recommended.
STI or Bar-End?
STI absolutely for best control and shifting. Bar-End if you are on a budget - they survive crashes much better, and can be run in friction mode if you bend your rear derailleur or hanger. For you serious mud dawgs, ride STI on primary bike, with bar-ends on the back up!
To me they are worth the 80 grams extra weight.
Euro-pros don't ride them. But most U.S. pros do.
Spare Bike?
Can't afford a spare 'cross bike? Use your mtb, or have friends or teammates share in the cost of a spare bike with quick release seatpost clamp. Use bar-end shifters (or flat bar with mtb shifters). If different pedal types are a problem, platforms - anything beats DNF!
