Originally Posted by Steve B.

This one had me puzzled. Is there some magical properties to a CC bike that makes it more suitable to riding in the crud ?. Other then larger tires and clearance for same, the frame might be the same material as a road bike, the components are probably the same, headsets, hubs, b-bracket, etc.... all from road component groups.

So how is it a cyclo-cross bike is better able to withstand the crap that winter roads throw at you versus a road bike ?. Granted that the larger tires are better suited to sketchy surface conditions, with the knobbies useful in sand and/or snow, but other then that, I'm not seeing it.