I got back into biking last year, I'm 72. I thought that a cyclocross bike had fatter tires, non-drop bars and was generally just NOT a road bike. The pictures I see on this forum look just like road bikes to me. So what's the difference? I suppose this has been answered before, somewhere on this forum, so please cut me some slack.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclocross

Cyclocross bikes do look like roadbikes at first glance. However, they have a few differences. Such as, greater fork clearance for mud, cantilever brakes for mud, most have higher bottom bracket clearance for off road reasoning, and general geometric design to allow for the different style of racing. Also, cables are routed differently to allow for shouldering of the bike. Then there are some personal pref. things like different bars, added brake levers, etc...

Hope that helps.

Some bike stores and manufacturers use the phrase "cross bike" to describe "hybrids" which are upright, flat bar bikes that fill the niche once occupied by British roadsters.

That's been a common confusion lately.

Cyclocross, the sport, uses something that looks like a ruggedized road bike with knobbed tires.

Ron

Thanks guys, I am now educated.