[Ziemas]

When did cyclocross style bike become so popular? Eleven or so years ago when I was looking for a good steel bike to fit my quirky needs I came across a Torelli cyclocross. I had never heard of cyclocross and neither had anyone I know, including friends at the LBS. Now this versitile style of bike seems to be everywhere. When was the boom? Thanks.

EDIT: I bought the bike all those years ago and rode the living daylights out of it. I've ridden it on three contients and love it! Right now it's sitting at my side, waiting for a new paint job and another few decades of riding!

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[DogBoy]

I think it is because they are so good at being "one" bike. They have heavy duty frames and take wide tires to make them good commuters and light touring bikes. If you just do club rides but dont race, they are quite good at that also. So if you commute, do light touring and the occasional club ride, these bikes are perfect. (or if you race cyclocross ;) )

[Ziemas]

I think it is because they are so good at being "one" bike. They have heavy duty frames and take wide tires to make them good commuters and light touring bikes. If you just do club rides but dont race, they are quite good at that also. So if you commute, do light touring and the occasional club ride, these bikes are perfect. (or if you race cyclocross ;) )
I know why they are popular, I'm courious to when they hit the mainstream bike market.

[DogBoy]

I know why they are popular, I'm courious to when they hit the mainstream bike market.

I can read, Honest :D

I started seeing them in stores in the last couple of years. When I bought a bike in the late 90s, it was mtn bikes, hybrids and road bikes with nary a cross bike to be seen. Last spring the shops were stocking plenty of JTS, axis & cannondale cross bikes.

[markhr]

97 - 98 at a guess. Just googled cyclocross history and that's the average age of the websites I saw. Obviously not very scientific and it doesn't answer the question of why the racing scene took off.

[arctic hawk]

Could very well be from the riders like myself who spread the good news, so to speak.

Something like,
"You bought a .... for what you do, you should have got a cyclocross bike! You're missing out..."
"You gotta try this sport...."
"Looking for a new bike? Well, have I got a good one for you ..."

The general reaction,
"You're doing what?!?!... that's crazy..."

Any of this sound familiar?