what is the difference between a touring and cyclo cross bike other than panniers?

Well, most cyclocross bikes are built for speed and rough handling. A good cyclocross bike would make a great touring bike, but the opposite would not necessarily be true. I won sanctioned cyclocross event on a fully suspended Klein, so you maybe that negates my previous statement.

The biggest difference in the frame design is that 'cross bikes have more ground clearance under the bottom bracket shell ("bottom bracket drop"). This raises their center of gravity and for this reason some tourists like them less for loaded touring.

Beyond that, dedicated loaded touring bikes will tend to have even longer chainstays than 'cross bikes, and even more braze-ons and eyelets for attaching things. There might be three bottle-cage mounts; there might be braze-ons to hold spare spokes on a chainstay; there would be double eyelets (for racks and fenders) and rack mounts on the front fork as well as in the rear. A 'cross bike generally route cables on top of the top tube to facilitate shouldering the bike during a race; touring bikes vary more with many of them having cable guides on the side or bottom of the top tube.

Other differences are in components rather than the frame.

RichC

'Cross bikes also tend to have shorter top tubes. This gives the rider a slightly more elevated position in the drops. Touring bikes, by comparison, typically have longer top-tubes that the average road bike.

I've never been a tourer, but I ride 'cross, and I would imagine that a 'cross bike might be a little too responsive for loaded touring. On the other hand, I can image a touring bike might be a little sluggish in the dirt...

so which is faster? tour or 'cross? I just don't like the roadies with the skinny tires.... so figured a touring or 'cross would be better for me. i have a hybred now but want more speed but still ride on gravel and paths at times.

If you're going to do gravel, paths and road, sounds like a cross bike would be perfect for you. That's what they're made for.
Just bought one myself and love it. I think it would be great for touring too.

what kind did you get? what's a good make for NOT a whole lot of cash.

I got a Bianchi Axis. As far as the cheapest I think the Trek XO 1 is about $850. But it's Sora components and Barcon shifters. I wouldn't want it. All the ones I looked at seemed to be around $1000 bucks. Kona's Jake the Snake is about the same price too. I don't remember if it was all 105 components or not. But the Bianchi has and Easton Ultralite frame with carbon forks and has 105 components. Rear derailler is XT, front is LX. Really a nice setup. Lists for $1299. I paid $1200 for mine.

would you ride it on a century ride?

The longest ride I've ever taken with my cross bike [A Kona Major Jake] on pavement was 93 km [58 miles]. Even though I had fat, off-road knobbies on it, the ride was no problem, and we kept a respectable average speed of 25.5 km/h [16 mph].

If anything, I'd say the Axis is even better specced for a long road ride, with its carbon fibre fork. From all I've heard, it's a very conmfortable ride and, if you swapped out the knobbies for road slicks [say, 25c], It would be perfectly suited for a century.

One of the guys I ride with does all of his road rides on a 'cross bike -- a Litespeed Appalachian. It's his main bike.

You wouldn't want to do a road race on a Bianchi Axis or any other 'cross bike, I'd think, but there's nothing stopping you from doing some serious rides/

Thanks Velo and every one else!

I am in love with that Bianchi. You are supposed to warn us before you post porn so we don't open it at work!

Sorry Jeff, Hope I didn't get you in any trouble!

I'll take the bike in recompense!

I guess I'm lucky, I just showed your bike to my manager here, to show him what his next ride should be, and he loved it. He rode in today on his Canadian Tire Supercycle, that's seen better days, as part of Winnipeg's commuter challenge which is on this week. I only get access to the computer on breaks, so it's no problem.

I'm not THAT sorry!

heh, actually the cheapest cyclocross i've found is the redline conquest with an msrp of $799USD; the trek retails for $999USD. it comes with all sora STI, vuelta rims and cranks (not sugino like their website states) and an assorted mixture of other entry-level parts.

i actually was able to negotiate a $599USD (200 off!!) price with the bike shop for a brand-new 2002 model 'cuz i guess there isn't too much demand for REDLINE cyclocrosses in SF ! i always wanted a redline BMX bike when i was a kid so i guess this fulfills that... heh. *shrugs* it's a good enough bike for cranking around the hills of SF and the 4 mile commute to work so i'm having fun. it definitely feels more spritely compared to the mtb's that i was comparing in the sub-1000 range.

the bianchi sure is a beautiful looking machine.

bt

What a concidence.

I just started looking in this forum yesterday and here is a thread about the Bianchi Axis. I have the 2000 version.

I was very frustrated at the time that most of the road bikes were being offered as racing, TT or tri bikes with short chainstays and aggressive geometry.

The only touring bikes available at the time had ethier low quality components or they were optimized for loaded touring. I don't race. I ride to be outside and get some exercise.

Then the folks at Bicycle Alley in Worcester, MA showed me the Axis. What a great design. 105 components with a long cage XT rear deraillure that allows for effective use of a triple if you want. I put road tires on it.

I love this bike. The stretched out frame also takes out the harness in the ride from the Aluminum frame. I think it would be a great century bike. Maybe someday I will be in shape enough to do this again.

Great bike,

John