Cyclocross - Roadie gots a question bout cyclocross

Hey guys I am a roadbiker, but where I am going to be living has lots of logging roads, or fire roads you might call them, totally made of rough dirt and gravel, lots of little jagged pebbles. Can cyclocross bikes ride on this stuff without issues? I know that a roadbike just could not take that sort of terrain, if I get a cyclocross I would definitely get one with disc brakes, and I am hoping the tires on cyclocross bikes can take far more abuse than roadtires without blowing, or getting cut by rocks, how durable are cyclocross bikes, can they take the gravel/sharp pebble abuse? any help is much appreciated! thanks

Your question about durability is mostly a question of the wheels. Mostly the difference is frames and forks is one of geometry not durability. The wheels can take it if built right. If you are going to be riding pavement along with these fire roads, bring a pump. Air down on the dirt and back up on the road.

thanks for the advice, I believe that sounds correct, even if I am riding a road bike down the gravel roads it be fine if I lower the tire pressure for a little more give and comfort. I guess I could also keep a second set of wheels for the more heavy duty terrain, thanks again!

I ride my cross bike on singletrack...

You'll be fine on dirt roads...

I am also a roadie with a cross bike as well. I ride on a lot of hardpacked dirt and was riding my road bike with UltraGator Skin tires (25) and/or Continental Contact (28) with some tread. Both worked well, but the Cross bike allows for a greater variety of tire sizes and stud patterns. Nice thing about a cross bike is that you can put 23s and ride like a road bike.