What Actually Is Cyclocross?

What exactly is meant by the resurgent cycling discipline of cyclocross? The simplest answer would be: In cyclocross, you take a modified road bike off-road. The cyclocross bike most closely resembles a road bike, but when crossing, you're moving through terrain better suited to a mountain bike. Gravel as a surface, obstacles to overcome on foot, stairs, mud, tight corners, small jumps,and steep ramps – this doesn't just define a cyclocross race on a circuit, but makes virtually every ride on a cyclocross bike a physical and technical challenge, even for experienced cyclists. Moreover, despite the road bike upgrade with treaded tires, the typical road bike position is largely maintained, and despite the difficult terrain, speed on this cross-country bike is very high.

A brief look back is needed here. Until well into the 2010s, a cyclocross and a road bike differed almost exclusively in their brakes and tires. To maintain some grip on the off-road course, significantly more outdated cantilever brakes were installed instead of the caliper brakes typical on road bikes. This, in turn, provided a few centimeters more space for wider tires with some tread – these offered and still offer the rider more hold and traction, though the grip level can't be compared to MTB tires. In cyclocross today, tires are limited to a maximum width of 33 millimeters. To have enough power not just on developed field and forest paths, but even in mud and on steep ramps, smaller chainrings were installed, and the geometries of the bikes were designed differently so that the bottom bracket was somewhat farther from the ground. This was meant to give this type of bicycle, and especially the crank, more freedom when riding over obstacles. Otherwise, such a cross bike resembled a then-current road bike.

The MTB, which swept into Europe in the late 80s, differs significantly, particularly in its riding position. You sit shorter, meaning more upright, and the flat handlebar means you grip wider than on a cyclocross bike. Other differences are the MTB's significantly wider tires, the suspension in the fork that's been mandatory since the earliest years of its development – later also in the frame itself – and, not to be underestimated, the significantly broader gear range, especially toward smaller gears.

What are the actual differences between a cyclocross and a gravel bike? You could say the cyclocross bike is something like the ancestor of the gravel bike. The inefficient rim brakes on the cross bike hindered its success across a broad front for a very long time, even though the early cyclocross bike already represented an extremely versatile bicycle type. 

Since its cradle lay in so-called cross-country races and thus the cycling federations could influence the technical development of the bikes through regulations, disc brakes, which were established much earlier in MTB, remained prohibited for a long time. In the USA, out of a desire to use off-road-capable drop-bar bikes between road and mountain bikes, a parallel bicycle category developed instead of simply adopting the more European cyclocrosser. These bikes were somewhat less oriented toward racing, less minimally equipped, and featured much more efficient disc brakes. They were initially used more in recreational sports in parks or on forest paths as well as for bikepacking. Currently, these all-rounders are among the best-selling bicycles in Europe. 

Only with the approval of disc brakes also in cyclocross or, in German, cross-country races, and since the great success of several cross professionals in the highest category of road racing (e.g., Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert) did the cross bike again catch up with the field. At least in terms of media coverage, cyclocross is currently back at a high level, similar to its 80searly the hype. And the riders receive significantly more recognition, much like the champions in newly emerging gravel races. In forests and parks, however, gravel bikes still purely dominate.

The comparison between cyclocross and gravel bikes isn't entirely fair, since the former serves a relatively narrow niche, while the lifestyle product, the gravel bike, with countless variations, covers a broader range of uses. If an ambitious cyclist is focused on speed and perhaps even competing in races, a cyclocross bike is hard to beat in light terrain. Moreover, especially since disc brakes have become established, it's so close to a road bike that you could also use the cross-country racing bike for road training. Many cyclists therefore now use a second set of wheels with asphalt-suitable bicycle tires to train their endurance, anaerobic capabilities and riding style off-road in winter, and to stand at the starting line in summer with the same bike at, for example, a mass-participation race. 

Gravel bikes are the first choice when it's about rougher terrain or when longer distances matter more than pure speed. The riding position is, with few exceptions, moderately sporty, and the frames allow wider tires. There are now race variants for gravel and regional-to-global championships, but on average, gravel bikes offer greater comfort than cyclocross bikes. Due to its slightly rearward weight distribution, even a less experienced rider can handle slippery or rough surfaces such as mud or gravel. With a set of fenders, the gravel bike is also an excellent bike for commuters. 

Unlike races for gravel or mountain bikes, cyclocross races take place one hundred percent on a circuit studded with artificial and natural obstacles, various surfaces, and a time-limited length. Race duration in elite classes is limited to one hour. For this, the leader's first lap time is typically used as the benchmark, and everyone's lap count is calculated from it. The courses are rarely longer than three kilometers and are convoluted, so that no extensive areas or path networks need to be closed off. The race course, therefore, often consists of alternations between long straightaways for maximum speeds and a technically demanding and intricate section with tight corners up to 180-degree hairpins, with obstacles that require dismounting to overcome, with passages where the bike must be carried up stairs, for example, with slopes, with sand fields, or, depending on the weather, even morass. 

Although the vast majority of off-road-capable bikes with drop bars are currently in the gravel bike segment, cyclocross is experiencing a second peak in Germany after the 80s. Due to the ease oforganization, more and more regional competitions are emerging. Here lies the great advantage over road racing. For road races, streets must always be closed by police – this costs clubs enormous sums! For cross-country races, a few dirt roads, a meadow, a small climb, and a building where you can change and ideally shower are sufficient. The epicenter of cyclocross racing is in Belgium. There, even the smaller races have the character of folk festivals. When the top stars compete against each other, for example, at the Koppenbergcross near Oudenaarde, conditions like those at mountain stages of the Tour de France develop. There are even races there that lead through a pub. The successful riders are revered like pop stars and paid accordingly, while elsewhere the cyclocrossers’ image clearly lags behind that of road racers. 

To cyclocross around in the woods, besides the special bike, you only need conventional bicycle equipment. Cycling shoes are helpful, as they provide a good grip on forest ground and allow you to run. The following points make the bike a deployment-ready cyclocross bike: 

• Frame with a quotient of stack (frame height) to reach (frame length) of 1.5 (+- 0.05), meaning a geometry that's almost as sporty as that of road bikes. 
• No bottle cages: For carrying, you must hold the top tube on your shoulder; bottles in the frame triangle would narrow or block the space for your arm and shoulder. 
• Stable road bike wheels with a treaded tire up to a maximum of 33 millimeters in width. Cyclists who compete in races or an entire championship often use tubular tires; for hobby or leisure use, wire or folding tires with a puncture-resistant tube are the better choice. 
• Additional brake levers on the top bar, known as froglegs, help less experienced athletes on steep downhill sections shift their weight further back without releasing their hands from the actual shift/brake levers. However, this additional technology is only available for the somewhat outdated rim brakes. 
• In training, cyclocrossers often use a fender on the saddle to protect their jersey and shorts from the coarse dirt kicked up by the rear wheel.

• As mentioned, running and carrying passages are always incorporated in cross rounds. These would be made difficult by pure road cycling shoes and corresponding clipless pedals. Therefore, people use the mountain bike range instead. Shoes with treaded soles and pedal cleats hidden in them (which you connect to the clipless pedal) enable at least short-term running and walking. Screw-in studs or spikes help in extreme conditions. 
• Anyone doing longer training sessions on the cyclocross bike should wear a hydration backpack or belt instead of bottles. At the latest, after an hour, you should take in fluids. Bicycle bottles in the jersey are also practical at a calm, moderate pace. 
• For clothing, people prefer the road bike range. Tight jerseys and shorts, or one-piece suits, optimize freedom of movement and sweat management. The sport is high-intensity, so you shouldn'tdress too warmly, especially since your hands should still have enough feeling through the gloves. A classic is the combination of a three-quarter-length racing suit and a warm vest. 
• Caution with MTB helmets: The visor for sun protection, common here, can block the view in the sporty position. 
• Given frequent posture and riding position changes, along with obstacles, surfaces, and a jagged course profile, an ergonomic saddle is advantageous: it works well across multiple positions and, depending on requirements, provides some comfort. Important here is lots of freedom of movement and light padding. Tip from ergonomics expert Dr. Tofaute: Short saddles interfere less with the head during carrying passages. 
• The riding position itself also plays a role in performance and stamina as well as safe bike control. Both newcomers and experienced cyclocrossers should regularly check their posture on the bike. This can be done either by a professional bike fitter or, more straightforwardly and significantly cheaper, with a do-it-yourself kit like the Ergon Fitting Boxes. 
• Against the shocks on the handlebars – crossers never have suspension forks – you can either wrap the handlebar tape tighter and thus thicker or mount one with the best damping properties from the start. Important: It should develop enough restoring force permanently, meaning not collapse after just a few rounds, that is, no longer return repeatedly to the original volume. The surface should be grippy in both wet and dry conditions.