What is a cyclocross bike?
Cyclocross bikes (also known as CX or cross-country bikes) were the go-to choice for particularly versatile bikes before the advent of gravel bikes. Originally designed as purist competition bikes for winding and muddy circuits, these sporty bikes with off-road tyres were also used for winter training, cycling trips and even as everyday bikes. Under the term cyclocross, there were therefore also inexpensive models for a long time, which were designed to be comfortable and suitable for everyday use and already anticipated the intended use of today's gravel bikes. Today, the gravel bike takes this place and there are almost only expensive competition models with limited everyday use.
What makes cyclocross bike frames special?
Cyclocross or cross-country bikes differ from most gravel bikes due to their racing-style stretched seating position. The bottom bracket is positioned slightly higher, which is useful when crossing obstacles, but is less conducive to safe road holding at high speeds. The top tube is usually horizontal and flattened on the underside so that the bike is easy to shoulder on long journeys. Beyond that, the bikes offer few additional benefits: Apart from the bottle cage threads, there are no attachment eyelets or similar accessories.
How is the driving behaviour?
Cross-country race tracks are traditionally narrow, winding courses - the steering on a cross bike is correspondingly manoeuvrable and sensitive. The wheelbase is as short as possible in order to manoeuvre well around the tight bends. Disadvantage: The bikes do not have as much tyre clearance as gravel bikes and, especially with small frame sizes, the tip of the foot can hit the front tyre when turning.
Which tyres fit?
The tyre width is limited to 33 millimetres by the UCI competition regulations. The bike is adapted to the course with countless tread versions, ranging from fast semi-slick tyres to rough mud specialists. Today, tubeless tyres are mostly used, while tubular tyres glued onto special rims are still occasionally used by professionals.
What do I need to bear in mind when translating?
In cross races, bandwidth is not important, which is why the chainrings have a conspicuously narrow gradation: 46/36 is common for double cranks, plus a narrow road cassette. This leads to a lot of overlapping, which is intentional: This means you have to shift the front derailleur less and reduces the risk of chain dropping off-road. On the other hand, the gearbox lacks particularly light and heavy gears. Even before standard single drivetrains became popular, racers liked to reduce their drivetrain to a single chainring using a "DIY solution"; sooner or later, drivetrains with a single chainring will probably prevail in this category.
What do cyclocross bikes cost?
As the genre is not an issue for beginners, there are hardly any affordable models left - they have been replaced by gravel bikes. Also, only a few manufacturers still have purebred cyclocross bikes in their range, most have cancelled them due to a lack of sales. Prices for competition-ready bikes start at around 4000 euros. However, because there is a lot of wear and tear in this sport, high-end equipment is just as rare; there are hardly any offers over 10,000 euros.
What do cyclocross road bikes weigh?
As pure competition bikes and with slightly narrower tyres, cross bikes can be significantly lighter than gravel bikes. Models used by professionals usually weigh around 7.5 kilograms.
What are typical representatives?
Cervélo R5-CX
Giant TCX Advanced
Pinarello Crossista
Trek Boone
Jens Klötzer
Editor
