Cyclocross - is a cyclocross bike for me ?

I want to get a second bike. My first bike is a Santa cruz superlight that I use for trail riding.

I want to get a second bike to do it all, I will use it to carry the kid in the chariot, go do some gravel roads on weekend with the wife, commute to work and maybe even do 1 or 2 duathlon at the beggining of the season while the trails are too muddy to ride.

So is this the right route for me ? I went to see today the Giant TCX2. Fits right into my budget for this bike. Looks like a decent bike.

thanks

I use mine for singletrack, fireroads, committing, kids in trailer, etc. love it for its versatility.

Same here. Just purchased a new Jamis Nova Race 2012, and use it to commute, tow the Weehoo and kids, ride with the family on the road, and some gravel / hard pack trails. Much better and much more comfortable for these situations than my Specialized Transition!!

if right into your budget for bike, Giant bike is a good choice

Cyclocross frames are ideal all around bikes. Their only specialty is, of course, cyclocross riding. And their geometry doesn't really make them, strictly, specialty road racing machines or mountain bikes. But they are frames that, with the right components, make an ideal all around machine. And they lend themselves to be customized in a variety of ways. You can easily convert or equip a cyclocross bike frame to be an on road/off road, commuter, weekend riding, rando, or even light touring machine very easily. And then take the panniers and fenders off, throw some thicker tires and do some cyclo racing if you want to.

I have narrowed down my choices to the GIANT TCX 2 or the rocky mountain CX solo. The rocky mountain CX solo is a little more expensive but the store is giving me a very good deal on it and the price is the same as the Giant. It's better equiped.

Is there any difference in the geometry in these 2 bikes?

Thanks for all the reply. It makes more and more sense to get a cyclocross.