Cyclocross VS Road bike

[DualSportbyDay]

I grew up on hardtails and have been on a Trek DS 8.5 for the past year now for commuting. I have made a lot of friends who ride centuries on the weekend. I can keep up with the group on the dual sport but I am definitely struggling in the end. I currently live in Puerto Rico and the roads are even worse then my hometown NYC. I like the idea of larger tires and the rough road capability of a cyclocross bike (not to mention the opportunity to race when I move), but I do not want to rule out road bikes. My main concern is getting a cyclocross bike and still not being able to keep pace during weekend races and wishing I bought a full roadie. I appreciate anyone who has some input on the subject. I also understand everyone has their own preferences and experiences. I just don't know much about the differences between cyclocross and road bikes. I know cyclocross generally speaking has a higher stance for balance, and slightly larger tires, but that's about it.

 

[themosquitoking]

I'm not going to make any comment on the differences as i have no idea but in my experience if you think you might regret not getting something else get the something else.

 

[ayceejay]

By the sound of it you need a decent bike and two set of wheels/tyres. CX bikes usually have lower gearing than a road bike and this may be a disadvantage in a competition on the road.

 

[lesley_x]

My cyclocross is barely 1mph slower than my road bike. I would go try a cyclocross and see what you think. I was stunned at how quick they are considering the tyres etc. They are very versatile bikes. If I could only have one bike, it would be a cyclocross.

That said I will always choose my road bike when cycling on decent quality roads. If I'm going off road at all or the road quality is especially poor, the cx comes out.

 

[VamP]

My fast cross bike is just as quick as my road bike with road tyres fitted. The gear ratios are a non issue. However, it's a racing geometry focused and light carbon bike. If you get a heavy relaxed geometry cruiser like the Tricross, then that will not be competitive on the road.

 

[lesley_x]

My fast cross bike is just as quick as my road bike with road tyres fitted. The gear ratios are a non issue. However, it's a racing geometry focused and light carbon bike. If you get a heavy relaxed geometry cruiser like the Tricross, then that will not be competitive on the road.

This is a good point, there are a breed of cyclocross bikes that are basically tough commuters and they may not keep up with a road bike as well. Some come with holes drilled for pannier racks etc whereas a 'true' cx may not even have holes for bottle cages! Mine is considered a race bike (giant tcx 1) but the models below are commuters with different geometry (tcx 2,3)

Research and test rides are the best bet. Also decathlon appear to be bringing out a cracking cx bike for the money.

 

[delb0y]

I struggle to keep up with Chromatic of this parish. I'm on a Tricross and he's on a very nice Bianchi roadbike. I suspect, though, that the reason I struggle to keep up has little to do with our respective bikes...

That said, I'm really happy with the Tricross - I have a second set of wheels with road tyres (28mm IIRC) and it does me well. I especially like the gear ratios that allow me to get up hills I never could on my old Claud Butler Roubiax.