How tough is a cyclocross?

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anabella645

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noisebeam

I'm just discovering cyclocross bikes. How much trail can they actually handle? Anything more than a hard packed dirt trail? I'm debating right between getting a mountain bike and putting some slicks on it or going for the cyclocross. 90% of my riding is on road, but occasionally I like to hit the dirt as well...nothing serious (no boulders or huge roots). Just wondering how offroad the cyclocross can go. Also, anyone have an opinion on Fuji's 2005 Comp Cross? Thanks!
I only have experience with the 2005 Lemond Poprad and it can take a beating. I taken it on very rough & rocky single track -its great fun. But ya gotta use your whole body/legs as the shock absorber and 'float' over terrain, not to mention hop your wheels over the larger rocks, not slam into them. Of course this beating will lead to premature wear of hubs and headset, so I've cut back a bit, but I have no signs of wear yet. I did have to tighten hubs, headset after about 1000mi, but this is typical for any new bike.

Al

darkmother

I take my cross bike on very steep, technical MTB trails about once a week. Sometimes I do MTB club rides on it just to piss of the guys riding $5000 full suspension bikes:) It is more challenging than riding the same trail on my MTB, but I can still clean all but the steepest stuff. The wheels take more of a pounding without the benefit of a big low pressure MTB tire, so I have had to touch them up occasionally. Other than that, I'd say my cross is just as tough as my XC MTB. I wouldn't be doing drop offs on it or anything, but you will be surprsied at what a cross bike can do in the dirt-I know I was. With the right gearing, you can handle just about anything if you pick a clean line.

Now....for the other 90% of the time, when you are on the road.... Look out! My hardtail MTB feels like molasses in january in comparason. Every time I get on it after riding my cross for a few days it makes me laugh at how slow, fat and squishy it is. Night and day. Cross bikes really are fun. Go for it.

paloewi

I take my cross bike (a surly cross check) everywhere. It is almost bombproof. I do technical mountain trails, and long road rides. If 90% or your riding is on the road, I would definetaly say get a cross bike. My cross check has taken a 2.5 foot drop and is still in great shape.

p

Tightwad

As these post have pointed out if you keep up the extra maintance
trails riding requires your bike pick should do OK.

FWIW......I think the cross bikes are the sleepers of the cycling
world for overall fun.

andygates

Hell, I can take hardpack dirt on my *track* bike with cross tyres [:)]. Cross bikes are quiet demons, tough as old boots.

Toddorado

I'm just discovering cyclocross bikes. How much trail can they actually handle? Anything more than a hard packed dirt trail? I'm debating right between getting a mountain bike and putting some slicks on it or going for the cyclocross. 90% of my riding is on road, but occasionally I like to hit the dirt as well...nothing serious (no boulders or huge roots). Just wondering how offroad the cyclocross can go. Also, anyone have an opinion on Fuji's 2005 Comp Cross? Thanks!

I have the same question. Aside from overall weight, maybe a tighter wheelbase, larger wheels, and drop bars, I can't tell the difference. Would the advantages be mainly on road then? I have a Giant Rainer MTB which I've 'modified' with quasi-road tires (2.0" center-bead knobbies), added straight bar and aero bars, tweaked the suspension down to minimum travel and it completely kicks ass. I have considered a cyclocross for a second bike, but was wondering what I would gain if I'm not a racer. FWIW, I have a very difficult time fitting on a road bike - just doesn't feel comfortable. How do drop bars handle on trails? Is the advantage on the road compared to a MTB that significant? Thanks for the input - I'm going to look at a RedLine, a Fuji and a Bianchi today and with your help, maybe make a decision.

noisebeam

I have the same question. Aside from overall weight, maybe a tighter wheelbase, larger wheels, and drop bars, I can't tell the difference. Would the advantages be mainly on road then? I have a Giant Rainer MTB which I've 'modified' with quasi-road tires (2.0" center-bead knobbies), added straight bar and aero bars, tweaked the suspension down to minimum travel and it completely kicks ass. I have considered a cyclocross for a second bike, but was wondering what I would gain if I'm not a racer. FWIW, I have a very difficult time fitting on a road bike - just doesn't feel comfortable. How do drop bars handle on trails? Is the advantage on the road compared to a MTB that significant? Thanks for the input - I'm going to look at a RedLine, a Fuji and a Bianchi today and with your help, maybe make a decision.
It really depends on how much extra performance you want to squeeze from your bike. If you are not racing where you need speed and agility or going for long tours where you need to conserve energy - having the abilty to get more peformance is really only for the joy of it. I used to ride a 32lbs+ no suspension mtb with 1.75" center slick knobbies and bars well below the seat and could ride fast. I then got a CX bike and when it has 25mm road slicks on it, it definitely is much more of a pleasure to ride and I can go even faster (especially uphill and acceleration) and for longer. But I don't need to go faster, but I like to. Road bars I find better than straight bars, you have the hoods position which is like a straight bar, but also the option for drops and tops. If it is set up right you should be just as comfortable - you don't need low bars, set them up level with the seat and be comfortable, then lower them if/when you want more performance. I could never go back to the mtb on the road.
You could also try narrower higher pressure slicks on the mtb as an alternative to a new bike.

Al

Al

Toddorado

noisebeam

Al, that is exactly what I needed to hear. My commute contains LOTS of hilly areas, so if I can gain some speed going UP, that's always good. I have tried semi-slicks on my MTB, and while I noticed a difference in speed, it wasn't significant enough to switch permanently. I will be taking a 750 mile tour later this year - how do you see it as a better touring bike?
I can't say which is a better touring bike for you. Obviously the touring bike needs to be comfrotable for many hours in the saddle and have attachment points for carrying devices. A lower weight bike is most beneficial for hills. I personally would much rather tour using my CX bike than my old mtb.

Al

Tom boyd

The only differences between the Redline Conquest and the Redline Conquest Touring are rack mounts and component quality.

At least Redline appears to believe their cross bikes are good for touring as well.

awright

I gave up on mtb's about three years ago. I was waiting for my Rivendell mtn. to get repainted and took my Atlantis (by Rivendell, essentialy a cyclocross/touring bike, 700c) offroad, I had rode a lot of dirt roads with this bike but never anything too rough. As I rode progressivley rougher trail I got some knobbies and never looked back. I sold my mtn. bike without ever rebuiling it. I don't do any jumps/hucks with this bike, but am comfortable on real life trails, steep, rocky whatever. I wouldn't say that it is ideal for any "North
shore Style Stunts" but that's not my bag. For epic backcountry style riding it can't be beat. FWIW, I have never used suspension of any kind and my drivetrain is 2x9 (48/34, 11-34). Yes, cyclocross bikes tour well if not too lightweight and absolutley scream on the road compared to any mtb.

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