Any novice Cyclocross Bike rider or who has been riding a Cyclocross Bike for many years may know that these types of bikes are more commonly used for racing.
However, the question may arise in your mind- whether CX bikes are suitable for touring or not. The shortcut reply is, Why Not! Absolutely, Cyclocross Bikes are perfect for any type of touring. Because in this type of bike, you will get a lot of wide tires. So CX can be a touring partner including high-speed, long-distance, short-distance, daily day/every day, club riding, and traditional tours.
In today’s article, I will give more detailed information about this topic. So that beginners to pros can earn more knowledge about Cyclocross & Touring bikes, the difference between them, also the main purpose of these two bikes, and so on. After hearing these, you must be very curious to know all the facts! So let’s get to know those without further delay.
Difference Between Cyclocross And Touring Bikes
You should aware that each different bike has some special & unique differences. So, before starting the deep digging, now I am going to explain some of the meaningful differences between Cyclocross Bikes And Touring Bikes.
Differences Between Their Frame, Geometry, and Ride Characteristics
👉 Steering:
When you want to compare the steering features of a touring and a cyclocross bike, first of all, you have to look at the bike’s ‘fork trail’, head tube angle, and fork rack. Because these measurements of a bicycle can give a special idea of how the bicycle will be run.
- In general, you will see most of the time on touring bikes, often changing the trail from 64 mm to 74 mm. Moreover, it can be seen that it continues to rise upwards.
- But on the other hand in the case of a cyclocross bike, you will often see that it ranges from 66 mm to 70 mm. In addition to this, you will see that there is a special tendency to go down.
Furthermore, the fork trail between a CX and a touring bike is often overlapped. So yes, the steering of these two bikes can be seen to be very similar.
👉 BB Drop:
Properly covered, it will withstand plenty of adverse conditions. Usually, these lower brackets range from 5 mm to 15 mm higher.
This allows CX racers to cycle in a very comfortable way by completing their paddling through the corners. In addition, you can see that the center of gravity is slightly higher when riding this bike. But when the riders go out cycling to travel with the paniers, you will find a big unseen difference in the reality of this center of gravity.
👉 Headtube Length:
Most of the time, cyclocross bikes have a much smaller type of headtube than a touring bike. Those headtubes are usually small, ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm.
- As you may know, CX bicycles are mostly made for riding in cyclocross racing as well as performing in a variety of other offensive events. So in the case of a slightly smaller handlebar, it helps riders to move faster in the race.
- Besides, on a touring bike, you will find a much steeper type of handlebars, as well as the length of the steer, can be much longer. So the touring bikers can complete their journey with ease.
👉 Wheelbase:
On the Cyclo-Cross cycle, you will find relatively small wheelbases. On the other hand, the overall wheelbase of a touring bike tends to be about 40 mm larger.
Due to the smaller wheelbase of the cyclocross bike, the length of the Chainstay and Fork Rack is constantly decreasing. Moreover, a lot of the overall effect tends to work at very high speeds, as well as allowing the rider to move forward by making the bike work a little less stable.
👉 Chainstay:
The cyclocross bicycle has a much smaller Chainstay than a touring bike’s Chainstay.
- The chainstay of a cyclocross bicycle is about 20 mm to 40 mm smaller than the chaining of a Touring bike.
In the meantime, you may know that short chains have some problems. One of the main problems is that you can have trouble keeping shoes on the back panels of your bike. Especially when a rider will wear shoes the size of US 10 or slightly larger.
However, if you want, you can design your panners according to the demand through customization. Along with that, you will be able to cycle by sitting further back with the perfect and adjustable pannier for you.
Differences Between Cyclocross And Touring Bike’s Frame Construction
👉 Frame Stiffness:
On a touring bike, you will get a fixed frame that will be relatively large in diameter. Moreover, it is often seen that these bikes use a lot of thick wall tubes. As you can usually see from the name of a touring bike, this bike is specially designed to go on different types of tours.
- When a cyclist selects a bike to go on tour, he/she can wish to take various essentials with him to go on tour. That’s why this bike is manufactured in a way that it can carry all the loads properly. So, a lot of hard and heavy frames are added. Furthermore, the Turing bike can move forward very well even after taking all these heavy loads even if it has extra weight.
On the other hand, it can be seen that the frames of a cyclocross bike are much lighter. And there are special reasons why the frame of this bike is light. Because you have already aware of the matter that a CX is most commonly used in a variety of races. So naturally, when the rider participates in the race, it must be a problem to move forward with too much weight.
- Keeping this fact in the captive mind, the frame of this bike is lightly designed so that the bikers can move forward very fast and win the race.
👉 Frame Eyelets:
CX bike frames can sometimes offer a variety of mudguards, and bike frames, including rack mounts, and beacon mounts. On a touring bike, you will always find a variety of mudguards, including rack mounts and beacon mounts.
However, if you want, you can add or remove all these elements through customization. This will not be a problem for your bike whether it is touring or CX.
👉 Comfort:
You won’t find much of a difference in frame comfort between cyclocross and a touring bicycle.
With these two bikes, you will get comfortable seat post flex, a wide tyre range as well as the necessary saddles. Which will take you much further towards comfortable riding.
Differences Between CX And Touring Bikes Parts Specification
👉 Tyres:
Cyclocross bicycle tires are best suited for any type of dirt area. As well as this the bike is capable of running on various sealed surfaces. And obviously, they are most suitable for very fast riding. That’s why the tires of a touring bike are manufactured specifically for riding in a variety of terrain. So that you can ride this bike on all types of terrain like different paved surfaces, mountain trails, etc.
👉 Wheels:
The wheels of cyclocross bikes are mostly low spoke counts and they also have a very narrow rim. In addition, the wheels of this bike are much lighter, so that riders can move faster in the race.
On the other hand, the wheels of Turing bikes are relatively heavy. As a result of being heavy, it is possible to carry any heavy load very easily in case of long-distance travel.
👉 STI Shifters:
On most touring bikes, you will find that the Berend or MTB is made with a shifter. But along with that, you will also get an advanced shifter on a CX.
👉 Gear Ratios:
Perhaps when you are riding a cyclocross bike you will realize that this bike has a narrow gear range. Due to which light loads or flat places can be traveled by this bicycle. However, it will be very difficult to ride the steep roads with heavy bags or other things.
But Touring bikes have a range of rain gears. And that makes it easy to travel in any type of area, even with a lot of heavy things.
Purpose Of Cyclocross Bike And Touring Bike
Each bike has a special purpose to serve. From that point of view, Cyclocross Bike And Touring Bike also has some special purpose.
At this stage of today’s article, I will tell you in detail about all those things. Hopefully, after knowing the purpose of these two bikes, you will be able to use these bikes properly according to your necessity.
What Is The Purpose Of A Cyclocross Bike?
The main purpose of a cyclocross bike is to participate in the race of a cyclocross course.
With these bikes, riders participate in various types of competitions and win. Moreover, CX bikes are often manufactured to ride on muddy roads, sandy areas, rocky trails as well as in various snowy terrain.
What Is The Purpose Of A Touring Bike?
Hearing the name Touring Bike, you may guess the purpose of manufacturing this bike.
With a touring bike, you can go on tour rides for several consecutive days. And it has been designed to complete a perfect tour carrying the things you need. Yeah, any touring cyclist can take different camping goods like tents, food, multiple clothes, and more necessaries according to the need.
Are Cyclocross Bikes Good For Touring?
Of course, Cyclocross Bikes are Good For Touring. Looking at the features of Cyclocross Bikes, it can easily be seen that this bike can carry all the elements that any cyclist may need for a joyful tour. This is the reason why the popularity of this bike has been increasing day by day.
Since the increase in sales of touring, it is a sign that riders have been planning different types of tours in the summer months with this.
- And, the good news is- you can easily turn your favorite CycloCross racer bike into a load-bearing touring bike. Because many features of the Cyclocross bike make it perfect for touring.
You May Like: Can You Use A Gravel Bike For Touring?
Last Verdict
Hopefully, after reading today’s full article properly you have come to know the exact information about are Cyclocross Bikes good for Touring or not. Moreover, the significant differences between the Cyclocross and Touring bikes, the main purpose of these two bikes, and also many details about CX and Touring.
After delivering all those essential matters in detail, I just wish that your next CX, Touring, or any kind of bike journey would be even more beautiful & youthful.
