[broomhandle]

ok, im new to this... are there any rules? why couldnt i just have a mounatin bike?

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[greybeard87]

ok, im new to this... are there any rules? why couldnt i just have a mounatin bike?

You can, no bar ends allowed though.

[Alexi]

why couldnt i just have a mounatin bike?

cause that would be dumb

[broomhandle]

ah, yes... dumb... so, then why dosent everybody use mountain bikes?

[MATTO]

well a cyclocross bike would give you an advantage

[broomhandle]

an advantage of what?

[multisport]

an advantage of what?

I know I will miss some things, so others please feel free to jump in.

One difference is the gearing. Mountain bikes generally have lower gearing than 'cross bikes. The gearing on a 'cross bike is inbetween a mountain bike and a road bike. Most of the time, one won't need the granny gears of a mountain bike.

Other differences: less rolling resistance of the tires since they are narrower, lower bike weight, and the riding postion help provide "an advantage."

[TheDL]

I know I will miss some things, so others please feel free to jump in.

One difference is the gearing. Mountain bikes generally have lower gearing than 'cross bikes. The gearing on a 'cross bike is inbetween a mountain bike and a road bike. Most of the time, one won't need the granny gears of a mountain bike.

Other differences: less rolling resistance of the tires since they are narrower, lower bike weight, and the riding postion help provide "an advantage."

Many, if not all, of which can be changed.

[Ronsonic]

Many, if not all, of which can be changed.

And the more you change the closer it gets to being a real cross bike. By the time you've got skinny tires, big gears and handlebars that get you aerodynamic enough to hang on the fast parts you'll have a crosser. Except some of the little things like more BB height than you need and a heavier frame, etc. Which is what I'm thinking of doing with my 80's HooKooEKoo. The frame is no heavier than a Surly and I'm thinking it'll be a blast year round on everything except the singletrack with real bad roots.

Ron

[Merckx Rider]

ah, yes... dumb... so, then why dosent everybody use mountain bikes?

Because mountain bikes usually get smoked on the road sections of cross courses, they also weigh more than a cross bike making them more of a burden on the run ups and barricades.