What makes a good CX ?

[0O0O0]

Just wondering, is it just a road bike with dirt tires or what? I wanna go fast, but I dont want any terrain to slow me down, these bikes seem perfect for me. Please give me a lil info here :)

[cachehiker]

tougher frame, few cm longer wheelbase, a little more upright posture, somewhat slacker angles to maintain straighter lines over rough ground, a little clearance for mud to build up on tires, etc.

i especially love riding with roadies and being able to stop short and corner hard where they have to be careful :p

[fogrider]

as cachehiker has said and the frame is a little different, and brakes are more powerful. a good cross bike will not give up much to a road bike, and it will need bigger tires to go in the dirt and still roll fast.