Is cyclocross for me?

[Tweek]

I'm not 100% sure what cyclocross is, but looking at the Kona Jake The Snake and Trek X0 1, it seems they are road bikes that are more beefy to handle rough envorements I guess? What my question is, would a mountain biker that is looking to get somewhat into road biking be more at home on a cyclocross bike?

[arctic hawk]

Yes! As you are riding down the road & spot a trail you wish to check out, then you are all set to go. Further, your speed gain on the pavement should be a nice improvement over the mtb. Hopping sidewalks & bouncing over potholes are a breeze!
I ride an older XO1 & love it!

[Tweek]

Yes! As you are riding down the road & spot a trail you wish to check out, then you are all set to go. Further, your speed gain on the pavement should be a nice improvement over the mtb. Hopping sidewalks & bouncing over potholes are a breeze!
I ride an older XO1 & love it!


What kinda tire pressures do cyclocross tires run at? Similar to road bikes?

[arctic hawk]

I run about 65-75psi for cyclocross tires for the daily stuff & down to about 55psi when racing. My road tires are 125psi & it does make a huge difference when zipping down the road.

[cyclintom]

No. If you intend to use it for anything other than 50% offroad then by all means get a road bike. In the end you'll be a lot happier.

[hass]

I started out on a mountain bike. I then bought a Biachi Volpe and tricked it out to be more of a road bike than a cross bike because I was doing mostly road riding. I thought that I would be still ride the back mountain fire roads in my area but have not done much of that. If you can afford 2 bikes it would be great to have a cross bike for the winter and dirt roads plus a road bike for the fair weather seasons. I am going to sell my Cross bike in the winter and go to a full road bike. Jake the Snake is a nice bike. I went with the Bianchi because the steel frame was a silkier ride. Lemond makes a great steel cross bike called the Poprad. I would ride that one before you bike the JTS.

[jfmckenna]

imo you should get a road bike if you want to ride road. If you want to race/ride cross then get the cross bike. They work good as road bikes but not quite as good.