Differences between a cross vs. gravel bike.

[grateful]

Watching the Cross Nationals (Shout Out to Jim Brown, Hold Fast my friend) an noticed the substantial amount of pavement in the course. That leads me to my question. Other than marketing, why two separate genres?

[Spdntrxi]

most cross bikes (real race cross bikes).. lack a lot of things that "gravel bike" have... it's not just geo which cross bike will be quick handling like road race bikes.

water bottle bosses
fender mounts
cross is tire size limited by rules... so less clearance then most gravel
etcetc

[ltwtsculler91]

Some geo differences, think road race vs endurance bikes, and Gravel bikes keep getting built around larger and larger tires to the point now where 40mm is almost the "standard" and 650b is something many ask for. A cross bike is always built to perform with 33mm tires on a cross course and tend to handle a bit quicker

[grateful]

Wow, it sounds like a cross bike is the do it all bike for me. Thankfully they are cheap enough to try.

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

most cross bikes (real race cross bikes).. lack a lot of things that "gravel bike" have... it's not just geo which cross bike will be quick handling like road race bikes.

water bottle bosses
fender mounts
cross is tire size limited by rules... so less clearance then most gravel
etcetc

This may have been true a few years ago, but no one is selling a cross bike without water bottle mounts and less than 38-40c tire clearance anymore.

Most have adopted road bottom bracket drop rather than the 60-65mm euro range from the 90s-2000s.

There's really that much of a difference these days.

[grateful]

Briefly looking through various classified sites I can pick up a Ti frame set for a song as long as it takes cantilevers. I assume my spare road group would work?

I moved to Hill Country, TX. We have a lot of short, steep hills. I like to go fast with me being the only limiting factor. Rides are generally in the hour range. 32’s would be fine.

I also live close to a state park I have yet to see (Pace Bend Park) if anyone has been there. There are miles of trails, not sure how technical.

Any thoughts on sizing compared with road race geometry?

[buddybikes]

Short answer...yes.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by grateful

Watching the Cross Nationals (Shout Out to Jim Brown, Hold Fast my friend) an noticed the substantial amount of pavement in the course. That leads me to my question. Other than marketing, why two separate genres?

Why not just ask Jim?

[Hilltopperny]

Any thoughts on sizing compared with road race geometry?[/QUOTE]



I stuck with basically the same sizing as my road bikes on both cx and gravel bikes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frankwurst]

I have 4 bikes I ride on a regular basis. One is a road bike. One is a gravel bike. One is a dual purpose bike.One is a let's just go for a cruise bike. I don't know which one is which when get on it.

[rwsaunders]

Find a Poprad in your size.

[grateful]

Wonderful idea, I haven’t spoken to him since we were roommates in college. Time to reach out.

Originally Posted by charliedid

Why not just ask Jim?

[megapope]

In my experience cross bikes ride a lot stiffer and tend towards being sharper-angled for durability and raciness' sake respectively. I'd rather spend all day on a gravel bike, personally.

And, unlike many gravel bikes, they will generally have room for portage. So weird to see Canyon's Inflite, all the modern carbon road bike design cues but no sloped top tube.

[grateful]

The propad looks nice, can you explain why you recommended it?

Originally Posted by rwsaunders

Find a Poprad in your size.

[avalonracing]

On a crossbike I have, ridden gravel roads, done paved centuries, taken twisty downhills at over 50mph, ridden single-track. Basically everything except raced cross. My point is a cross bike is the most versatile bike you can get.