
Many cyclocross bikes have minimalist, single chainrings.
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Wheels will need to be tough by necessity, but if you pay more they can be light too – the most effective performance upgrade – and some can be set up with tubeless tyres for increased puncture resistance.Īs for the groupset, it tends to be a matter of taste. However, it’s not necessarily the be-all-and-end-all, as a decent aluminium frame with great components can beat a cheap carbon one with duff kit. When it comes to the frame, carbon is king due to its low weight and it’s ability to form complicated shapes. However, they tend to be a little bit more versatile than their mainly race-focused cyclocross cousins, by offering greater tyre clearance and a less aggressive riding position. These drop-bar off-roaders are very similar to cyclocross bikes, in the sense that they’re essentially road bikes with beefier tyres and lower gearing. If it’s a jack-of-all-trades bike you’re looking for, you may also want to check out some gravel bikes.


With relaxed geometries, powerful brakes, and space for big, grippy tyres, they make ideal do-it-all rides, equally happy on- or off-road, whether you’re competing, commuting, or touring. They’re fast, tough, and a blast to ride.Īnd while the sport itself is spectacular (and surprisingly easy to get into), cyclocross bikes aren’t just great for racing. The best cyclocross bikes are rugged enough to be ridden off-road, while also borrowing many features from their tarmac-going cousins.

It’s something of a mix between road cycling and mountain biking, and the bikes themselves are a hybrid of both too.
