Road bike / cyclocross bike

[Hilldodger]

What is the main difference between a road and cyclocross bike?

Have been asked to supply one of each to someone and they all look the same to me

 

[andrew_s]

The obvious one is that a cyclocross bike will have cantilever brakes and clearance for muddy 30mm knobblies.

 

[Will1985]

What andrew s said plus different routing for the cables to keep them away from the bottom bracket area. Some models have flat undersides to the top tube to make it more comfortable when shouldering the bike.

Not sure about geometry.

 

[GrasB]

Typically, but not always, bikes advertised for cyclocross use also are stiffer in the frame & have a geom that's more stable.

 

[Dave5N]

Decent frames don't usually have bottle cage bosses etc. Much wider handlebars. BIG clearances as the straw and mud quickly clog things up. Compact chainring and/or a 27 on the back.

 

[monnet]

Usually a higher bottom bracket for better clearance too.

 

[zaid]

Usually a higher bottom bracket for better clearance too.

+1
and higher bottom bracket = slightly more elevated riding position

 

[Dave5N]

+1
and higher bottom bracket = slightly more elevated riding position

And sore knackers from jumping on wrong

 

[2Loose]

And sore knackers from jumping on wrong

Well that puts me off a x bike for next years commuter!

 

[GrasB]

You literally have to jump on the saddle wrong to crush those bits unless you've got a long upper body & short legs.

 

[Dave5N]

You literally have to jump on the saddle wrong to crush those bits unless you've got a long upper body & short legs.