Cross bike, what's the deal?
The cross bike is gaining increasing popularity in our country, and that's understandable. This is due to its versatility, combining the features of a mountain bike, road bike, and trekking bike in a single design. The result is a fast, relatively lightweight bike that's perfect for both paved city roads and off-road adventures along dirt and forest paths. In short, it's a healthy compromise between comfort and riding capabilities in a variety of conditions. Although we create completely different bikes , years of service experience allow us to describe the pros and cons of cross bikes in detail. We invite you to read on!
For the curious - How is a bicycle built?
Cross bike as the successor to MTB?
Until recently, a mountain bike was considered a "do-it-all" bike. Instead, it was a terrible uphill struggle. By design, a "mountain bike" is a sporty bike, with a dynamic, sloping design. In the 1990s, it was certainly a more comfortable alternative to folding bikes and the Wicher, but the addition of racks, absurdly high stems to create an upright stance, and fenders resulted in a bike that was useless. And that's where the subject of this article comes in. A cross bike differs from a mountain bike in its geometry, equipment, and wheel size. This design, combined with a drivetrain with a wide range of gears, makes the bike roll more easily on asphalt. And crucially, it allows for easy climbing. Thanks to larger 28-inch wheels with tires up to 2 inches wide, a cross bike is a good choice for those looking to move quickly and ride efficiently on hard-packed surfaces: asphalt, forest roads, and dirt roads. These wheels perform better on uneven surfaces and allow for easier maintenance of high speeds. It has more in common with a trekking bike than a mountain bike, but is significantly lighter and promotes dynamic riding.
Women's and men's cross bikes, or differences in frames
While the vast majority of models in the cyclocross category are based on aluminum frames, they differ significantly in terms of geometry. When buying a cyclocross bike, you should first and foremost choose the right frame size. This will largely determine your riding comfort. A well-chosen cyclocross bike ensures comfort – you need to sit much more upright than on a mountain bike. This means you don't strain your spine, don't experience lower back pain after a long ride, and don't strain your wrists or forearms. However, the position is tilted enough to allow the vertebrae to work and absorb shock, which is impossible when your back is completely straight. Cyclocross bikes are also available in women's versions – these feature a lower top tube for easier mounting and a slightly more upright stance – they are shorter. However, many women choose standard bikes with men's frames. When choosing a women's cyclocross bike, you should primarily consider the build quality and components, and only then – the look. Another issue is the colors – many manufacturers still opt for pink, which irritates many girls. Let's put the stereotypes aside. We definitely sell our women's glasses in black rather than "women's" colors. Provide your height and choose the right frame size!
A bit about technical matters - which cross bike should you choose?
When buying, it's worth considering the drivetrain. If you're willing to spend a little more, choose a model with an Octalink or HollowTech II crankset. They provide stiffness and high pedaling efficiency. It's best to avoid 6-speed rear derailleurs. These designs rely on cheap, heavy, and often problematic freewheels. With seven speeds, you should check whether the bike is equipped with a freewheel or a cassette. Typically, a 3x8 set-up (3 chainrings in the front, 8 chainrings in the rear) provides sufficient comfort. Choosing the number of gears when purchasing is important, as upgrading to higher gears is quite expensive – it involves replacing the shifters, cassette, and chain . Therefore, it's best to buy a bike with a drivetrain that will satisfy your needs well into the future. Recently, cyclocross bikes with two front speeds have been appearing. This is a great idea – easier to use and plenty of gears. Plus, it's lighter and more reliable. We're all for it!
We sometimes call our modified cyclocross bikes "cross bikes." That's a bit of a stretch, and we'd even go so far as to say they're better than those made by the big brands.Shock absorber and brakes
Most cross bikes have a suspension fork to absorb bumps. Cross bikes typically have 50-63 mm of travel, although some models offer 80 mm of travel. Bikes with a front suspension fork provide a more comfortable ride over bumps, but such a bike is significantly less stiff and heavier. In the case of mid-priced bikes, their suspension is characterized by a rather soft feel and limited adjustment options. However, for amateur riding, they are sufficient. A good cross bike should be suited to the terrain you'll be riding on most often – a suspension fork will be essential for off-road riding, but not for city riding. And it adds a lot of weight, so it's not worth buying just in case. Good tires are often sufficient. When it comes to brakes , V-brakes or hydraulic disc brakes are best. Mechanical brakes are best avoided – they tend to have poor braking modulation and are difficult to adjust. If you don't plan on mountain biking, decent V-brakes (we recommend Shimano Deore) will be perfectly adequate. They're more reliable, cheaper, and easier to service. We have a separate article on hydraulic brakes.
Cross bike - prices and market
The cheapest cross bike models can serve well as city bikes. However, with cheaper bikes, you should avoid advanced features. For example, disc brakes can cause more problems than benefits on a budget bike. The same applies to a very large number of gears. This gives a good impression, but in practice, on a budget bike, it's better to opt for simpler gears.
A lightweight cross bike is often the simplest in the range. Photo credit: djNIV
Starting at 2,500 PLN, you'll find cross bikes with basic components, but without compromises or major drawbacks. In this class of bike, you can forgo disc brakes in favor of standard brakes and opt for better components instead. Of course, there are many cheaper models, but you have to consider lower-quality components and greater weight.
See and learn more - Women's Gravel - what's worth knowing?
Higher shelf
Cross bikes priced around 5,000 PLN offer all the best features of this type of bike. At this price, you can buy a bike with air suspension, a very good drivetrain, high-end hydraulic brakes, and durable, lightweight wheels. Such a bike is a long-term investment that won't disappoint you on your commute or on the road. When buying a cross bike, good choices include a new model on the market or a cheaper, proven bike from a few seasons ago. In this case, you can, for example, base your decision on reviews from users who have purchased a given model and already have some knowledge about it. A good cross bike should last for many seasons, so it's not worth skimping on it. By design, it combines the advantages of several types of bikes and is versatile.
Is a cross bike for the city a good idea?
It's good if you plan occasional trips of dozens (or more) kilometers or just want to zip through the woods without worrying about a flat tire or broken teeth. However, for strictly urban riding, there are better options than a cross bike. A single-speed bike, meaning a bike without gears, is absolutely sufficient, and it's much lighter (even for carrying it down stairs) and cheaper to service. And modern, wide road tires will also easily handle dirt roads or even smooth forest paths. I regularly ride a fixed-gear bike through the Kabacki Forest, and it's not a traumatic experience. Another option is a simple, elegant women's bike . Still much lighter than even a very light cross bike, and more comfortable. Both types are also much more maneuverable, which is no small advantage in the city. And if you choose our bikes, they'll come in unique colors and configured to suit your preferences and needs. Fortunately, there's so many types of bikes that everyone can find something for themselves. The key is to understand your needs and expectations. We understand that this isn't easy, so we're always happy to advise.
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