Cyclocross for road bike type of routes – Increased risk of INJURY?

Asked by: Cory Spencer

Is a cyclocross bike good for road riding?

You can absolutely ride road on a cx bike. Many of the components are actually road components, including the wheels, so slap a pair of 700×23’s on the stock wheelset and off you go.

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.

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.

What is a cyclocross bike used for?

Cyclocross bikes are designed to be raced on cyclocross courses, which can often include a variety of terrains such as mud, sand, rocks, and even snow. They also include run-up sections that require racers to dismount their bike, as well as barriers that must be jumped over either by dismounting or bunny-hopping.

Can I put cyclocross tires on my road bike?

If space is really limited on your bike another option is a cyclocross tyre as these are typically 32-33mm wide and will fit in a wide majority of road bikes. They also come in many tread designs but most are fast-rolling and will be ideal for converting a road bike to a gravel bike.

Can I use road wheels for cyclocross?

For cyclocross wheels, you can use most road bike wheelsets. If you’re looking for something that’s going to hold up to the demands of CX riding, it might be worthwhile considering a 32/36 spoke handbuilt wheelset, although most machine-made wheels have their uses for cyclocross racing.

Which is better on the road cyclocross or gravel bike?

Gravel bikes slot in best between a traditional road bike and a cross country mountain bike. They generally are more rugged than a cyclocross bike due to added tire clearance, but the endurance-road geometry of gravel bikes make them better suited for long rides or events, like Unbound.

What is the difference between a cyclocross and road bike?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do cyclocross bikes have suspension?

In general, cyclocross purists will not have suspension on their bikes if they are used for competing. However, there are many cyclocross bikes available with suspension, and these are excellent for longer rides or more relaxing leisurely off-roading.

Is it OK to ride a road bike on gravel?

You can ride your regular road bike on gravel – I do it all the time. Put wider tires on your road bike and your ready to roll. I ride 28 mm tires on my road bike — the maximum size that fits — and the bike handles well. Some people ride 25 mm and some 30 mm or wider.

Can I make my road bike a gravel bike?

Depending on the severity of your local gravel track, a road bike will happily take on some light gravel grinding. While geometry may not be as long and slack as the Best gravel bikes, converting an old frame or bike is an excellent way to dip the toe into gravel riding.

Can a gravel bike keep up with a road bike?

A gravel race bike will absolutely hold its own on the road, particularly on longer rides, with the right tyre choice.

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

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.

Is a gravel bike as fast as a road bike?

With narrower and slicker tires, road bikes are much faster on Tarmac than gravel bikes but they are also limited in the terrain they can tackle.

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 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.

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

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.

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.