i guess a monster cross bike is an actual cross frame thats capable of running like 40c tires or bigger so... says google. id say its right there as a monster cross though.. My first race this year in gloucester was a muddy disaster that the bike handled quite well... the providence interbike race was also a mess! but it did hold up ok...i never got the dfl award so it couldnt be to bad? i got the GO OLD SCHOOL! and Go single ! alot also!