The best cyclocross bikes are often overlooked by mountain bike and road bike enthusiasts. However, many people, including the pros are doing these competitions and establishing tours that can be reminiscent of the Tour De France. Finding the best cyclocross bike for the money is hard if you are a newcomer to the sport, but we have set out to help you. If you need a fast pick, the Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Alternative Road Bike is our pick for the best cyclocross bike.
The cyclocross niche has been fascinating over the last couple of years. Especially since many of the elite road bike riders are also testing their skill in these competitions. As a biking enthusiast, I have set out to understand the fundamentals of the cyclocross bike. After numerous falls and retrying to take on terrains, I have found some of the key features that set each bike apart from the other.
Instead of only sticking to your mountain bike or commuting through the city on your road bike, the cyclocross bike offers you the best of both worlds. The best cyclocross bike for the money can just as easily be found as your mountain bike. Nevertheless, we have done the legwork to find the best options on the market today and simplify your life when choosing.
Best Cyclocross Bike For The Money Reviewed
While cycling is becoming quite an expensive hobby, we can’t argue how much fun it offers. Nothing beats racing down a hill and taking risks to get the adrenaline pumping. I feel cyclocross amplifies this experience and enables you to take on a wider range of terrains. That being said, here are a couple of the best cyclocross bikes on the market today:
Top Pick: Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Alternative Road Bike
When you think of a bike brand that offers value for the money, Diamondback is one of the best brands to come to mind. The Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Alternative Road Bike is our top pick and it has been specifically designed for pro riders. The bike features an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, but the real kicker is the geometrical design that suits most riders.
SRAM is often underrated as a brand, but when you research the best bikes, chances are SRAM is used for the smaller features. This bike also includes a 1 x 11 SRAM drivetrain for navigating these tough terrains. Additionally, SRAM also provides hydraulic disc brakes for added stopping power in virtually any weather condition.
With the Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Alternative Road Bike durability is a given and having fallen down numerous times, this is something I can attest to. Unfortunately, it might not be in the price range of everyone, but this should not discourage you. If you are willing to save up a couple of bucks, you can buy you ultimate cyclocross bike for every terrain.
Runner-Up: Mongoose Selous Comp Gravel Road Bike
If you are a regular reader of our site and like great articles about things like mountain bikes, you will notice that we always have a hard time when it comes to the runner-up. While personally, I feel the Mongoose Selous Comp Gravel Road Bike can even be better than the Diamondback, not all the pros and experts feel the same.
It has also been constructed from a durable double-butted aluminum frame but comes out slightly heavier than the Diamondback. Shimano is used for the drivetrain and the 2 x 10-speed drivetrain stands out for the adjustability it offers. The hydraulic disc brakes have saved my ass countless times on various bikes and since it is included on this bike, I highly rate it.
As you become more adept at the quality of the materials and the features, you will be drawn to carbon fiber. While the bike is a little expensive, it still features a carbon fiber fork and a decent warranty. This alone should make it a great investment. I would never change my decision that the Mongoose Selous Comp Gravel Road Bike is a close competitor to the Diamondback Haanjo.
Best Underrated Bike: Raleigh Bikes Willard 1 All-Road Bike
Raleigh rarely gets the same credit as many of the other elite bikes. Well, this might not be the case in certain areas of the world, but if you have talked to some of the top riders, it seems to be the case. Fortunately, I got my hands on the Raleigh Bikes Willard 1 All-Road Bike to find out if it can match some of the elite bikes the pros recommend.
The first thing that comes to mind is the weight and once again, aluminum has been used. It offers durability and keeps the weight downs somewhat. One of my favorite aspects is the 2 x 9-speed drivetrain sponsored by Shimano. However, the brakes are mechanical disc brakes, but can also be replaced if you feel the need.
In terms of price, the bike is slightly overpriced for the features you receive. However, the versatility aspect is what makes it special. With this bike, you can exchange all the parts and have them upgraded over time. The inclusion of a lifetime warranty definitely adds value to the buyer. However, you must have the bike assembled by an expert to qualify. The Raleigh Bikes Roker Sports All-Road Bikeis the upgrade for a more professional approach.
Fan Favorite Cyclocross Bike: Tommaso Avventura Shimano Sora Gravel Adventure Bike
When you mingle with many of the fans in the cycling industry, you get a general conception of what they like. Asking many people the same question has led me to the Tommaso Avventura Shimano Sora Gravel Adventure Bike. I believe this might also be due to the stylish design and the attractive vinyl design that makes many heads turn on the road.
Constructed from aluminum with an integrated carbon fork, the bike stands out amongst the masses. The 2 x 9-speed Shimano drivetrain is perfect for taking on virtually any terrain without too many hassles. As you might have noticed in going through our best road bikes, they also include disc brakes to improve the stopping power. Most experts also agree that these brakes are the reason we see fewer crashes on the downhill.
The price stands out as one of the cheaper prices that is currently available. While it might not appeal too much to those with competition aspirations, it seems to be a good hobby bike. I do not have one and only had the opportunity to test it a little, but I would definitely consider buying it. Once the bike takes hold of you, even the advanced Tommaso Sentiero Shimano Claris Gravel Adventure Bike doesn’t hold up.
Best Budget Bike: Takara Shiro Adventure Bike
Are you looking for a cyclocross bike that simply helps you get into the sport? If that is the case, you should look no further than the Takara Shiro Adventure Bike. It is the cheapest model on this list and while it is a little heavy, the steel frame will ooze durability. According to some of the new riders, it can also hold quite a few pounds.
Since Shimano is a little cheaper than brands like SRAM, it makes sense that the 3 x 7-speed drivetrain is sponsored by Shimano. With so many gears and levers, you should have a field day when taking on tough terrains. For this price, the inclusion of disc brakes definitely came as a surprise. This will amp up the overall stopping power.
The budget should not be an issue anymore as the price is really cheap. Many people also claim to have made significant upgrades that could potentially make the bike better. While I personally won’t buy this bike and rather save for something like the Diamondback, it is a great option for beginners.
Key Features To Consider When The Best Cyclocross Bike For The Money
With so many technical aspects, these bikes are a little similar to a good mountain bike. However, if none of these bikes appeal to you, these features should help you. We have decided to isolate the key features, potentially helping you make a better decision when buying a different bike:
Frame
Aluminum is the no-brainer option and will save you a lot of weight. It might be heavier than the top carbon fiber bikes, but the price is much cheaper. The steel frame works well if your budget is keeping you back. However, they are a little too heavy for pro riders. Read this to understand bike frame materials.
Drivetrain
I often find many people wondering how important drivetrain really is. The answer differs from person to person and depending on the bike you choose. BMX riders might not need a specialized drivetrain, but as you take on longer ventures, you notice the difference it makes when conserving energy.
Brakes
The brakes are the key aspects that many pros look at. Cantilever brakes are older and they did serve their purpose, but the modern age of cycling calls for something better. The disc brake (mechanical or hydraulic) is the answer to the questions asked by many. We always recommend disc brakes on your cyclocross bike.
Wrap-Up
Are you ready to choose the best cyclocross bike for the money? We certainly hope that this article has given you some more insight. We have carefully selected all of these bikes and tested some of them as well. Finally, we would love to see some of your comments on these bikes. Let us know which ones you like and if we might have missed any of your favorites.
