Cyclocross bike questions

[westman2003]

Hello

Can someone explain to me the difference between a cyclocross bike and a roadie? At first glance the cyclocross looks "beefier."

Thanks

[Surferbruce]

cyclocross bikes generally have a slightly higher bottom bracket, slacker geometry, slightly shorter top tube, cantilever brakes, sometimes beefier frameset, and clearance for tires up to 35's or so.
oh...they're also just cooler...

[SAB]

You can make a cross bike pretty mean looking with some big, beefy tires, linear pull brakes, and a big 'ole carbon or steel fork... In my experience, most cross bikes have a little bit longer top tube (effective top tube length in a sloping TT design...) for a given size. Somewhere between a road bike and a touring bike.