Cyclocross bike for the roads

[Used2Run]

So, I'm sure in my lurking I've seen something about this but can't find anything after a few minutes of using the search function. Does anybody here use a cross bike as their main road bike? I have a Trek X02 and Jamis Quest and really like the Trek. Much better than my Jamis. The Trek is a 1x10 but only needs a chain ring, derailleur, tires, and brifter to be ready for the roads. I know a lot of people commute on cross bikes but does anybody on here do the majority/all of their training on a cross bike? The Trek is 2-3 lbs lighter, stiffer, and fits a little better than my Jamis so it seems like a good idea plus would free up cash for upgrades or more cycling gear but I don't know if there is something I'm missing that would make this a bad idea.

Thanks for any opinions and help!

[4Crawler]

I ride my cross bike as my main bike both on and off pavement:
- Monstercross Bicycle Build

On pavement, the larger and lower pressure tires give a nice comfortable ride without being too slow. And I have better gearing (3x10) on my cross bike than I do on my other bikes.

That said, I do note the cross bike is about 1-2MPH slower (w/ 40mm tires) in top speed over my road bike (w/ 28mm tires), but it is nice not having to watch out for road debris to avoid all the time.

[Doc_D]

I use my Salsa Chili Con Crosso as my winter training bike. But once the weather clears up I ride a Giant TCR Advanced (soon to be a Specalized Tarmac).

It depends on what you are doing. If you're just recreationally riding there's no reason you couldn't do it all with just your cross bike. If you're racing, doing hammerfest group rides or do a lot of century+ rides you might be better served by a dedicated road bike.

I suspect all else being equal, in an all out 20 minute time trial effort on flat pavement, I'd maybe be 0.5 - 1.0 mph slower on my cross bike. It would mainly be due to the aero position then rolling resistance and to a much lesser degree the weight difference.

[Used2Run]

The cross bike would still be slower with 23mm tires on it? My cross bike is lighter than my road bike (steel vs aluminum frame) but I'm guessing the riding position would be the x-factor making it slower than a road bike of comparable weight?

[AlanE]

I also use my cross bike (Sworks Tricross) as my primary road bike. I actually like it better than my road bike (Trek 5200).

[AlanE]

The cross bike would probably be a little slower due to being less aerodynamic than your road bike.

[crossracer]

Many of the road bikes from the 80's and early 90's had fairly relaxed angles by todays standards, today's frames have a much twitchier feel IMHO.

Cross bikes still have that relaxed geometry that is suited to long hours in the saddle. Slap some 23mm tireson there and that sucker will fly.

Bill

[crosscat]

My cross bike is also my road bike. I commute on it, have done some mt. bike trails on it, did a Tuesday night crit series on it, race CX on it. There have been times I wished for more gearing and better brakes, but it has served me well as a general do it all bike. I prefer my Mt. Bike in the woods but otherwise, the CX bike would be my choice if I could only have one. Having said that, I will likely buy a dedicated road bike in the spring to do some road racing and longer group rides.

[brucew]

My primary commuter is a cross bike. It's just as fast as my pure roadies, just not quite as quick.

All my bikes have my contact points in the same place, so there's no difference in how aero (or not) my position is.

[partyofone]

My ONLY bike is a cross bike, so yes. I run 25mm tires on it all year. Works for me.

[DocRogers]

I rode my 'cross bike as my main road bike for most of 2012, and it worked really well for me. I have 3 routes out of my neighborhood, 2 of which are unpaved, and the 'cross bike is a lot nicer on gravel than a road bike. I run 32c knobbies and give up 1-2 mph compared to my road bike.

[dcg8tr]

I have a CAADX I use on the roads, gravel, and some trails around here, I do not have a dedicated road bike

[Used2Run]

I'm starting to consider a second wheel set and making this my all time bike until I can afford a nice carbon fiber road bike. I'm also considering a few bikes I've found on ebay but I don't know enough about geometry and what I like to really feel comfortable getting another bike from there yet...

[Pattonn]

So, I'm sure in my lurking I've seen something about this but can't find anything after a few minutes of using the search function. Does anybody here use a cross bike as their main road bike? I have a Trek X02 and Jamis Quest and really like the Trek. Much better than my Jamis. The Trek is a 1x10 but only needs a chain ring, derailleur, tires, and brifter to be ready for the roads. I know a lot of people commute on cross bikes but does anybody on here do the majority/all of their training on a cross bike? The Trek is 2-3 lbs lighter, stiffer, and fits a little better than my Jamis so it seems like a good idea plus would free up cash for upgrades or more cycling gear but I don't know if there is something I'm missing that would make this a bad idea.

Thanks for any opinions and help!

I do almost all of my training miles on my Cronus CX Pro. I like it because I can run 28 mm tires with no clearance problems and fit full fenders. It is not quite as fast as my Cervelo R3 due to a smaller chain ring and heavier wheels... but that is not an issue from October to April when most of my miles are alone through the nasty wet Seattle winter. Winter riding is hard on equipment and this saves my road bike for the glorious summer rides in the mountains.

If you like riding your cross bike I would say go for it... I mean that is what this is all about, right? Ride what you like and have fun!

[pmt]

At the speeds that most of us ride, a 'cross bike isn't going to be any slower at all. I have multiple road bikes and a Trek XO1, and love 'em all. The XO1 is fantastic for not only rain riding, as it's much easier to wipe down after the ride, but is also perfectly comfortable and fast for 200k brevets.

[AlanE]

it's just as fast as my pure roadies, just not quite as quick..

huh ?

[cxwrench]

huh ?

most likely he's referencing handling. 'fast' is a speed thing...'quick' is usually used when describing handling or acceleration. a car is fast if it goes 200mph...it's quick if it gets there in 10 seconds.
i ride my Trek Cronus on the road all the time, i have fenders on it now for winter commuting and it's great. i've done group rides on it even w/ the 46 and kept up no prob. the handling is actually very similar to my Madone, i would have no problem racing a crit on the Cronus.

[GRAVELBIKE]

If the cross bike fits better, you'll probably be happier riding that bike. Changing the shifters and getting some lighter wheels would make it just fine for on-road use.

[atpjunkie]

I commuted for years on one of my cross bikes with a set of road wheels and swapping the 48T big ring for a 50T. Running a 50x12 max gear (same as a 53x13) I never had issues keeping up with the dedicated roadies I rode with or joined on my ride home. I could ride a 25 mph paceline with no trouble. The only difference in my cross bikes from my road is a slightly higher riding position (better for commuting anyhow), the brakes and tire clearance and the gearing. The tires and chainrings are an easy switch and cantis can be set up to stop well. So the only thing holding you back would be legs and lungs

[Used2Run]

I'm going throw some road tires on it tonight and take it for a spin tomorrow morning and see how it goes. It could be fun.

[Terex]

I have a CAADX I use on the roads, gravel, and some trails around here, I do not have a dedicated road bike

Same with my SuperX here in NM. I guess that means that it is also my dedicated road bike.

[atpjunkie]

I'm going throw some road tires on it tonight and take it for a spin tomorrow morning and see how it goes. It could be fun.

and if you have some routes that can incorporate trail get some decent mixed tires and have at it. I had joined a group on a commute home once, not a total hammer fest but decent paced. We were all taking turns pulling when one rider jumped off the front. I hopped his wheel and we were off on a break. He attacked me a couple times and then I came around him on a slight downhill stretch. I opened a gap, waved good bye bunny hopped the curb and took off down a fire road. He yelled "Now that looks fun" as he continued on, I yelled back "Don't lose that gap" and was off

[Used2Run]

Fortunately, I can and have done that. There are plenty of gravel roads within a few miles of my house. I've done a 40ish mile mixed group ride and have hit up the back roads a few times on my own. I figure, the tires are going to wear out before next cross season unless I don't ride it so it's no biggie if they wear down. I'm used to buying $500-600 or so in running shoes a year so a few tires aren't going to kill me.

[Jwiffle]

Used to have a cross bike as my only road bike, ran 23 mm tires on it, and for all my recreational riding, it was fine. I eventually wanted carbon, so I sold it to get a nice carbon road bike, since I don't actually do any cx racing.

[Island Volpe]

I commuted for years on one of my cross bikes with a set of road wheels and swapping the 48T big ring for a 50T. Running a 50x12 max gear (same as a 53x13) I never had issues keeping up with the dedicated roadies I rode with or joined on my ride home. I could ride a 25 mph paceline with no trouble. The only difference in my cross bikes from my road is a slightly higher riding position (better for commuting anyhow), the brakes and tire clearance and the gearing. The tires and chainrings are an easy switch and cantis can be set up to stop well. So the only thing holding you back would be legs and lungs

I have a chromoly steel 2007 Bianchi Volpe which is an early cyclocross model (I believe) but mostly branded now as a touring bike. I've had it since March of this year, and am fantasizing about joining some races. I don't really have the cash for another bike. There is a long course triathlon in March 2013 that has a 60K road portion that I may do. So far the triple crank helps in the hills, and I also swapped the large chainring with a 50T to help a bit on the flats. I keep joining the contests here to see of I can win a wheelset that I can dedicate to slick tires. I need more training! Happy New Year, all.