Can I use long reach calipers on my cyclocross bike?

Asked by: Michael Judson

Can you put road wheels on a cyclocross bike?

So according to that formula, we’d never discourage you from buying a road bike too. In all seriousness though, it’s perfectly acceptable to ride your cyclocross bike as a road bike and just use a spare set of wheels with narrower road tires.

Is a cyclocross bike as fast as a road bike?

On flat surfaces, a road bike is faster than a cyclocross bike. You can hit speeds of around 55 kph on average while riding a road bike whereas a cyclo-cross bike mostly stays in the range of 48-50 kph. However, of course terrain will have a big impact on the speeds of the two types of bike.

Can a cyclocross bike be used for touring?

When it comes to frame geometry alone, cyclocross bikes will actually handle the demands of bicycle touring very well. With the occasional exception of chainstay length (for riders with large feet), the rest of the angles and measurements will likely go unnoticed.

What is reach on brake calipers?

Reach. Reach is the effective length of the arms of a caliper brake. This is measured from the centerline of the center bolt diagonally down to the middle of the brake shoe. Reach is commonly expressed as a range (allowing for the fact that the brake shoes are adjustable, typically 10-15 mm).

Are cyclocross bikes good road bikes?

Cyclocross and road bikes are both designed to traverse across different terrains. Therefore, their geometry, gears, wheels, tire sizes, and comfort levels vary greatly. Cyclocross are designed for performance on rough terrain, whereas road bikes are designed for speed on flat roads.

How do I get faster at cyclocross?

In cyclocross, there are two ways to get faster. You can go the physical route, building strength and speed with hours of in-the-red intervals, but you can also shave time by honing your technical skills.

Can you ride gravel on a cyclocross bike?

The short answer is, yes, you can. Cyclists regularly bring out their cyclocross bike for their favorite gravel road ride, and, in a pinch, a gravel bike will work decently enough on the cyclocross course to get you to the finish line.

What’s the difference between a gravel and a cyclocross bike?

Most gravel bikes feature a more relaxed geometry than cyclocross bikes, designed for days of riding rather than an hour or so, and for tackling rougher trails. This enhanced emphasis on comfort tends to give a shorter reach and more upright body position.

Can you mountain bike with a cyclocross bike?

If you were sticking with the typical 26″ wheel size, any lightweight cross-country wheelset would be fine. If you’re running disc brakes, you COULD put 700c (29’er) wheels on a 26″ mountain bike frame. As long as you use true 700c cyclocross tires, there should be enough clearance on MOST frames/forks.

Can you Bikepack on a cyclocross bike?

Don’t let that stop you planning an adventure on your cyclocross bike though, as you can fit most bikepacking bags without any racks or other fixings on the frame.

Can cyclocross go off-road?

Yes – they are really an alternative. A bigger tyre gives more cushioning but your choice is limited by frame/fork clearance. I’ve had my CX/tourer down the Blue route at Glentress a couple of times and it’s really good fun.

What’s the difference between cyclocross and adventure bikes?

Out back, a gravel bike will have longer chainstays so there’s heel clearance for panniers. A cyclocross bike typically has 425mm chainstays; on a gravel bike — especially one intended to double as an expedition-touring ‘adventure’ bike they’re as long as 465mm.

Are cyclocross bikes good for winter?

Cyclocross bikes can make ideal winter bikes



Snow-packed roads, gravel dumped by snowploughs, and black ice can be a bit too much for your race-ready roadie.

Can you use a cyclocross bike for a triathlon?

If you have the budget for only one more bicycle you cannot go wrong with a cyclocross bike, you will be able to race CX in the fall (typically after triathlon season) and you can get some fenders and slick tires for road rides in winter/spring and take the fenders off when the weather turns nice for Triathlon season.

What does CX mean in cycling?

Cyclo-cross (cyclocross, CX, cyclo-X or ‘cross) is a form of bicycle racing.

Can I put road tires on my gravel bike?

Road tires can be added to gravel bikes successfully if you want to ride them on the road. A gravel bike with road tires will combine the sturdiness of a gravel bike with some of the speed of a road bike. A pair of road tires could mean you could commute on the same bike that you go off-roading on at the weekend.

What is the difference between a gravel bike and cyclocross bike?

Most gravel bikes feature a more relaxed geometry than cyclocross bikes, designed for days of riding rather than an hour or so, and for tackling rougher trails. This enhanced emphasis on comfort tends to give a shorter reach and more upright body position.

Can you ride cyclocross on a gravel bike?

The short answer is, yes, you can. Cyclists regularly bring out their cyclocross bike for their favorite gravel road ride, and, in a pinch, a gravel bike will work decently enough on the cyclocross course to get you to the finish line.

What is the difference between cyclocross and mountain biking?

The drivetrains of cross bikes are typically that of a road bike’s, although mountain bike parts, such as cassettes and rear derailleurs, can also be used depending on the individual needs of the rider. The brakes on a cyclocross bike are usually cantilever brakes, which are rarely found on road or mountain bikes.

Can you ride MTB in cyclocross?

Cyclocross is an exceptional sport in one major aspect: you can get into the sport racing on whatever bike you have around, and have a blast doing it. If you’re planning on using a mountain bike for your first race, there are a few minor changes you can make to have a better race.

Why do cyclocross riders change bikes?

A: Cyclocross was originally created as a way for road cyclists to keep fit during wintertime. Riding a different bike on different terrain keeps training fresh, and the variety of obstacles, mud, and grass help build bike handling skills that racers can apply during Spring and Summer road races.