Most modern road bikes will not allow big enough tires to really do cross. Some of the older late 70s early 80s bikes will. If your road frame fits smooth 28s, I would ride them all the time on the road. They ride nicer than 25s or 23s.
As far as cyclocross goes, right now is a great time to buy a cantilever cross bike. Everyone but me and a few of the other old futs have gone disco for the brakes in cross. You can pick up super cheap nice cantilever cross bikes on Craigslist or the ebay. It is a crime how cheap some of them are going for. If you get a cantilever cross bike you have a great winter trainer forever. Plenty of room for studded snows or fenders for winter riding. I use mine for both. One with fenders and one with studs. The new hot ticket seems to be gravel grinding in which a cantilever cross bike is a perfect fit. Look around, for the price of a used set of wheels, you can often buy a whole canti cross bike.
The classic gravel grinding is turning into a destination ride mecca. Plenty of events in great places to ride popping up, some are races, semi races or just do it for fun events. Very relaxed and fun for all riders newbies to ex pros.
Crashed my Fuji road bike last weekend and had to replace the fork. Bought an Alpha Q CS-20 off of eBay. Nice fork, looks nice on the bike and fits great EXCEPT that the bridge is significantly lower than the original Fuji fork and now my 28c tires are rubbing on the underside of the fork. I have another set of wheels with 25c tires and they fit fine but I’d like to have the extra width of the 28s. Any recommendations for a low-profile 28c road tire or a 25c that runs a little wider? Thanks.
What model was the old Fuji fork?
My old Fuji fork was an FC 440.