Cyclocross bikes

[surgtech1956]

What exactly is a cyclocross bike, besides the wider tires? Not every manufacturer(Giant, Trek, Specialized or Diamondback) makes a cross bike?

[KnottedYet]

They tend to have geometry a bit more relaxed than a road racing bike, but not as slack as a touring bike. The bottom bracket is generally a bit higher than on a road bike. The forks have a lot of clearance, nice for mud and fenders. Generally canti brakes. Sturdy wheels, with the option of wider tires if you like. (one of my cyclocross bikes has 32mm, the other has 28mm. I like wide tires.)

Nice all-round bikes.

Take a peek at Kona Jake, Jamis Aurora, Surly Cross Check, SOMA Double Cross; entry level bikes but not cr@p.

They remind me of the 10-speeds we had as kids.

[Eden]

Most manufacturers do make a cross bike - but sometimes it takes a little digging
Specialized - Tricross
Giant - TCX
Kona - Jake
Trek - XO
Redline - Conquest
Salsa - Chili Con Crosso
to name a few
They usually are not given their own category, but are rather listed as road bikes

[flash]

A light weight, fun to ride corss bike:
Slingshot DD-X: LINK

[VenusdeVelo]

Don't think I saw Bianchi on the list -- just got one this year for CX (I'm an entry level CXer) and I really like it, and a good price point as well. There are 3 levels (I think) of CX bikes Bianchi sells, I have the mid-tier (Axis) The bottom tier, although it could be used for cross, is billed as more of a commuter/touring bike (Volpe). The Axis retailed for 1399 but I was able to get it for around 1000. Plus, the big selling factor -- I am on the shorter side and Bianchi is one of the few who sells a 44 which is comparable to a 47 on a road bike (I generally fit a 47 or 49 road bike). Many other brands such as Trek, Giant, etc. were too tall for me....the CX bike market has not quite hit on women's needs yet. I wanted decent cross-over on the top tube to be able to mount/dismount without too much trouble. I also use my CX bike when there is crud like snow on the road. Put studded tires on it and it would be a great winter bike.

You will also have V-brake (cantilevers) on CX bikes -- they are much easier to maintain once you slog through the mud in your first CX race!

Have fun bike hunting ;-)

[mudmucker]

I just was talking with a guy the other day that uses his cyclocross bike for everything. He has a Lemond Poprad and specifically chose a cyclocross bike because he wanted one bike to do all. His is a 9 speed double and the weight for road riding doesn't bother him. He's done a couple of centuries on it. He uses his slick tires when he rides on the road, and switches out to wider knobbies when he goes off-road.