Is there a specific cyclocross wheel?

Asked by: Jason Knain

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.

What size are cyclocross wheels?

The most common tyre size on a cross bike is 33mm – this is due to a UCI ruling which limits tyres to be a maximum of 33mm during a cross race.

Will cyclocross tires fit 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.

What do you use a cyclocross bike 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.

Are cyclocross and gravel bikes the same?

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.

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

Can I put cyclocross tires on a mountain bike?

So yes, you can buy cyclocross wheels and run them on your mountain bike as long as they are for disc brakes.

What PSI should cyclocross tires be?

On race day, if you’re running 33mm tyres, in average conditions, inflate to 30-35psi to kick things off. See how this feels on the practice laps and adjust if needed. On a really muddy course, clinchers can be run as low as 20psi with little risk of puncturing.

What is a cyclocross tire?

What is a cyclocross tire? Cyclocross tires are very similar to road tires, but a little wider (never exceeding 33 millimeters). These can be almost flat (with a small pattern, similar to those on the road) or have small studs to give a better grip on muddy surfaces (most common).

Can I put road wheels on a 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.

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 you change a road bike to a gravel bike?

Quote from video: You could always leave these second set of wheels set up with your fat gravel tires. And your fat gravel cassette meaning that your other pair can be left with your road tires and your road cassette

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 I use a gravel bike for cyclocross?

A gravel bike can be the ideal bike for a cyclocross course. It could have better mud clearance and could track better in the sand. On a bumpy course, fat gravel tires that might not fit into your cyclocross bike could even add some speed.

Can cyclocross bikes be used as road bikes?

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.

Can a cyclocross bike be used for touring?

Cyclocross racing is great. With a few adaptations a cyclocross bike can do everything from road riding to touring.

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.

Are cyclocross bikes comfortable?

Cyclocross bikes are very versatile



They make great commuters with a comfortable, relatively upright riding position and wheels and tyres designed to take a beating.

Are cyclocross bikes slower than road bikes?

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 I use a cyclocross bike as a road bike?

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.