Bicycles for cyclocross have become more popular than the discipline itself. The racing bike has given rise to many two-wheeled vehicles used for walking, traveling, commuting, and shopping. From cyclocross iron horses they inherited many characteristics that allow them to ride off-road and in all weather conditions.
A cross bike is a hybrid of a road bike and an MTB. Basically, it is versatile in its application, so it is in high demand among cycling enthusiasts.
With a cross bike you can:
- Travel long distances.
- Ride in urban conditions.
- Move over rough terrain.
- It looks like a road bike, but its parameters are:
- 28-inch wheel diameter.
- Elongated rear feathers.
- Narrow tires.
- The largest front sprocket corresponds to a highway 48T.
The wheel size allows the crossbike to go uphill easily. However, its maneuverability is lower than its highway counterpart due to the weight of 28-inch wheels.
The frame is similar in shape to a road bike, but the tubes are thicker, which also makes the unit heavier. It can be curved – this makes it easier to carry the bike on your shoulder. The carriage assembly is placed higher, due to which the directional stability suffers on a level road.
Unlike road bikes, hybrids have a shock-absorbed fork. The fork plus the heavy frame and wheels ultimately slow you down on the highway. On the other hand, tires adapted to off-road conditions make it possible to overcome roads with unpaved and poor pavement without difficulty.
The pressure in the hybrid tires is adjusted depending on the route and environmental conditions. In order to get a better grip on slippery pavement or gravel, experienced riders reduce pressure by increasing the tire’s contact area with the surface.
Hybrid brakes have vector brakes (racing ones have pincer brakes). Some types of crossbikes are equipped with mechanical disc brakes. The advantages of disc brakes are that they don’t need to be serviced and are very effective on dirt.
Cyclecross runs at lower speeds compared to regular racing, so cross bikes have lower gears. The cables are located at the top of the frame – this protects the system from dirt and allows you to change gears even when riding on water.