The mountain bike and the road bike are highly rated, but for some people, they might not be enough. Having a combination of these bikes will offer the best of both worlds and allow the top riders to take on more terrains. The best cyclocross bike is designed to make life easier and enable you as a rider to get the best possible value for your money. The Raleigh Bikes RXC Cyclocross Bike stands tall as one of the most advanced bikes if you are looking for the best.
With my experience growing in the world of cyclocross, I have had the ability to test numerous bikes and see how they stack up. The additional expert advice has taught me most of the important aspects, and I could distinguish between a great bike and a less-than-average bike. By testing a couple of bikes, I could easily find the best from the rest.
In this article, we have taken a deeper look at some of the top cyclocross bikes. Some of these bikes might be a little expensive, but if you are looking for the best experience, you need to be willing to pay as well. We have also included a short buyer’s guide that enables users to find a different bike. This should ensure that you always get the best value for your money.
Best Cyclocross Bike On The Market Today
Cyclocross is a sport that is growing day by day, and more people are converting to these bikes for the value they offer. With a combination of a mountain bike and road features, the world will be your playground. These are the top cyclocross bikes that we have found currently on the market, guaranteeing you value for your money.
Top Pick: Raleigh Bikes RXC Cyclocross Bike
Raleigh bikes are not always rated amongst the top brands like Diamondback and Cannondale, but they have put in more and more effort when it comes to good bikes. The Raleigh Bikes RXC Cyclocross Bike is designed with a durable carbon fiber frame and it also features a carbon fork. These two features will combine and make short work of virtually any terrain.
The bike features SRAM hydraulic disc brakes, and these can also be replaced by a mechanical alternatives if needed. If you need a bike that will give you excellent stopping power, this will be a great option to consider. The bike features an SRAM 1 x 11 drivetrain. It might not be much, but it will be enough to navigate the most complex terrains.
While the bike is really expensive, it can be assembled in less than 120-minutes if you have the needed skills. Nevertheless, beginners will also have the option of choosing an expert assembly. We highly recommend this to ensure each component has been expertly fitted. This bike is most recommended to elite riders.
Runner-Up: Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Carbon Alternative Road Bike
Having a stylish bike is not always as important as having quality features. However, the Diamondback Bicycles Haanjo Comp Carbon Alternative Road Bike offers both of these for buyers. It comes with a full carbon frame, making it lightweight and durable. Additionally, the carbon fork has also been added, giving the bike added functionality on tough terrains.
This bike features larger than average wheels, and this adds to all the safety features that it already complies with. The drivetrain is quite comfortable to ride with, and with only 11 gears, most of the guesswork has been removed from the fray. We also found the hydraulic disc brakes to be really functional in making the bike stop when needed.
In terms of the price, the Diamondback does consider the bike to be top of the range. However, it is a little cheaper than some of the elite bikes with similar features. If you are looking for a great bike that will endure any terrain, we would definitely recommend this one for its features. It is also highly rated by some of the top cyclocross experts.
Best Bike For Beginners: Raleigh Bikes RX 2.0 Cyclocross Bike
Beginners might think that they only need to go cheap, but that is not always the case. If you plan on making it pro, it is better to go for the quality. The Raleigh Bikes RX 2.0 Cyclocross Bike might not have a carbon frame, but the aluminum frame is still light and durable enough. It does feature a carbon fork to help you navigate virtually any tough terrain.
To save you a couple of bucks, Raleigh has included decent mechanical disc brakes. While they might not be on the same level as the hydraulic versions, they still offer excellent stopping power. The drivetrain is rather basic at 1 x 11, but this will keep your focus on the task ahead instead of fiddling with all the gears as a beginner.
Compared to some of the elite versions, this bike is not all that expensive, and this is why we have recommended it to some beginners. The bike does take some time to assemble, and you need to use the expert assembly option to have a good warranty. We would stick by recommending this as the ideal bike for beginners to grow with.
Best Bike For Women: New Raleigh RXW Complete Road Bike
Cyclocross is not only recommended for male riders. The terrains might be a little tough, but the New Raleigh RXW Complete Road Bike is the ideal option for the female riders. It comes with a durable aluminum alloy frame and carbon fork, but the 700 x 33 tires are what make the bike perfect for those off-road terrains.
Once again, we find that the bike features disc brakes in the front part. For females, this can help them to overcome the fear of bad terrain. Disc brakes have a proven record for offering some of the best stopping power. To help you navigate new terrains, the SRAM 1 x 11 drivetrain offers enough functionality to make this possible.
Female riders should also love the plain yet elegant style of the bike. Yes, you might find cheaper cyclocross bikes, but for the stylish design and excellent features, we feel the bike should have a spot on this list. Beginners or advanced female riders should enjoy this bike, and we would highly recommend it to them. It is one of the best options for females.
Best Budget Bike: Takara Genkai Cyclocross Bike
Any beginner might tell you how long it took them to buy their dream bike. Cyclocross bikes are expensive, but this should not deter you from having some fun and living out your passion. The Takara Genkai Cyclocross Bike might not be as advanced, but the durable frame will still make it functional on any terrain.
The bike comes with mechanical disc brakes, and this is only to keep the price as low as possible. However, if you feel like adding hydraulic disc brakes, you are free to do so. We found the drivetrain to be comfortable, and the gears definitely make a difference. However, this can also be replaced if you feel the need.
The bike is really affordable, and the features are quite good. However, they give you the ability to upgrade the features if you feel the need, and we have found this to be really helpful. If you find yourself strapped to a budget, this will be one of the best options to consider. We also recommend it as a bike that you can build on.
Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Cyclocross Bike
Now that you have seen some of the best bikes, you might be wondering how we picked them. Fortunately, we have done some legwork to help you choose one on your own. These features are the most important to keep in mind, and they should be the basis of your selection process.
Frame
If you are on a budget, the frame might not be as important. However, we recommend aluminum and carbon above steel. These frames are much more durable, and they are lighter as well. Carbon fiber frames will enable you to easily navigate terrains without having pain in the saddle.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain will help you navigate different terrains. We believe a good drivetrain is important when choosing a cyclocross bike, and while you might not need too many gears, they should be effective for different situations. SRAM and Shimano are two of the best brands, and they offer a wide range of different drivetrains to keep you going.
Brakes
These bikes have a tendency to reach massive speeds. To ensure you are safe and to make the bike comply with safety regulations, we recommend the disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are rated much better to choose from. However, those with budget problems will be fine with the mechanical disc brakes for the time being.
Wrap-Up
As a sport, cyclocross is growing, and bikes are becoming better. The prices are also becoming more expensive and if you are looking for a great bike, now will be the ideal time to buy. We would recommend all of these bikes for the value they offer. They also include some excellent features that could help you on the road.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and encourage you to share some of your thoughts. Let us know in the comment section which of these bikes you like and if we might have missed any of your favorites.
