Cyclocross is one of the most unique types of sports in the world. Those who know it liken it to a combination of mountain biking and road cycling. The best cyclocross bikes are well-made from durable materials so that you can comfortably ride them off-road.
But they have a lot of tarmac-inspired features, making them super-fast and comfortable to ride.
Best Value Cyclocross Bike
Read on as we explore the best cyclocross bikes on the market. We’ve included the pros and cons of each option as well as the features they offer relative to competitors. Read on for more.
1. Tomasar Power Electric Bike
When reading through cyclocross bike reviews, you’ll notice that the Tomasar Power Electric Bike makes a frequent appearance.
It’s super durable and comes with a number of beneficial features. These make it one of the best cyclocross bicycles in the world. This includes a removable lithium battery that has a distance potential of 25 to 50 km.
The frame is constructed from an aluminum alloy which is one of the sturdiest materials around. It’s shock absorbent and can handle the elements effortlessly.
2. Diamondback Cyclocross Bikes
As promised, we’re here to only bring you the best of the best when it comes to cyclocross bicycles. This one from Diamondback comes with a plethora of fantastic features that make this a high-performance and comfortable model for cycling.
You have an aluminum alloy frame that can withstand the elements since it’s durable. It’s very lightweight and easy to travel with as well. Thanks to its durable construction, this bike allows you to ride the whole day without worrying about anything.
We love the mechanical disc brakes as well because they add an element of strength and durability to the bike and the drivetrain makes it easier to shift gears as well.
3. State Bicycle Co. Warhawk Cyclocross
Next, you have one of the best cyclocross for commuting. The State Warhawk is a wonderful bike that takes you from one to three revolutions in one fell swoop. It rides smoothly and can get you on a cruising speed in a super short amount of time.
One of the appealing aspects of this bike is the fact that it’s a single-speed model that sports a simple design. Yet, it looks uber stylish and doesn’t take much to maintain either.
According to State, the Warhawk single-speed bike is super appealing to customers and has been shown to work perfectly as a stripped-down racer if you want to use it for that application. It handles sharply so that you can cut through corners sharply and rip through the apex.
How to Get the Best Cyclocross Bikes
When looking for good cyclocross bikes, you want to keep the following features and pointers in mind for the best results.
Frame
Most cyclocross bicycles are made from high-quality durable materials like steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Sometimes, cyclocross bike manufacturers will use a combination of these materials to ensure that it’s really well-made.
Each option has its own pros and cons when it comes to the feel, durability, cost, weight, strength, and comfort of the bike. Try out a few models and see what works for you.
Geometry
As any experienced biker will tell you, there are two main design choices to make when looking for a cyclocross bike. This refers to the headtube angle as well as how high the bottom bracket is.
The head tube typically comes in an angle that allows for optimal control and maneuverability, especially when descending down hills at lower speeds. The best entry level cyclocross bike typically features a short and technical design which gives it lower speed control.
Weight
Most experienced bikers will tell you that the lighter your cheap cyclocross bike is, the easier it is to handle, carry, pedal, and overcome obstacles.
To determine how lightweight your bike is, consider the materials that it’s made from because they will most likely contribute to its weight and quality as well.
Comfort
Comfort is also important and the good news is that they’re available in different sizes and styles to suit different riders.
A lot of them even come with adjustable seats. For best results, make sure your bike doesn’t strain your hands or your back when riding it and all of this depends on its size. Bike grips play an important role in this.
Tires
Another consideration to make when looking for the best cyclocross bikes under 1000 is keeping in mind that they typically have huge tires compared to normal road bicycles.
The tires are typically between 32 and 33 to 40 mm in diameter. Larger wheels translate to better traction and stability on the road.
Tube
The thing about cyclocross is that half the battle of using it is to figure out how to easily get on and off of it when you come across obstacles on the road.
That’s because it has an unusual tube shape with a flat tube bottom at the top which is designed to ensure that it’s able to sit on your shoulders properly. Practice mastering this skill so that you can get the most out of your bike.
Brakes
Brakes are designed to improve the safety of your bike and they typically come in three categories, including cantilever brakes which are the most common. Hydraulic brakes are great too while mechanical disc brakes are pretty decent.
Cable Routing
There’s a lot of carrying and hoisting required in cyclocross racing. For best results, look for a model with cables built into the top of the head tube. Ideally, you want internal cable routing which can slightly increase the price of the bike, so you’ll need to budget for that.
Price
Cyclocross bikes same as commuter BMX bikes don’t come cheap. But, you can always find a good quality entry-level model for about $500 or even less. Granted you know where to look and what to look out for.
Cyclocross bicycles in this price range don’t come with a lot of features and if that’s important to you then you can expect to pay up to $1,000 which is still reasonable considering the quality and quantity of useful features it has.
Conclusion
To conclude our guide on the best cyclocross bikes, we’re going to recommend the Tomasar Power Electric bike. Not only is it stylish, but it’s made from durable materials and offers a plethora of benefits.
The lithium battery will take you as far as 50 km without a problem, and the frame is constructed from sturdy aluminum alloy.