Cyclocross is an odd sport. It’s halfway between road cycling and mountain biking, and the bikes themselves are a hybrid mix of both. Rugged enough to be ridden off-road, yet borrowing many features from their tarmac-going cousins, they’re fast, tough, and a blast to ride.
And while the sport itself is spectacular (and surprisingly easy to get into), cyclocross bikes aren’t just great for racing. With relaxed geometries, powerful brakes, and space for big, grippy tyres they make ideal do-it-all rides, equally happy on- or off-road, whether you’re competing, commuting or touring.
How to choose the best cyclocross bike for you
What type of cyclocross bike should I buy?
Cyclocross bikes need to be versatile, but some designs prioritise racing, while others offer more concessions to other styles of riding. These could be in the form of racks and mudguards to make them suitable for touring and commuting. Or, huge tyres that, although illegal in most races, boost the bike’s ability to get radical on rough terrain. It’s a good idea to decide up-front what type of riding you’d like to focus on; if you’re unsure, aim for a comfortable all-rounder rather than lumbering yourself with a bike that’s built purely for racing.
Which features should I look out for?
A light frame, strong wheels, and good brakes are a must. Disc brakes are pretty much essential on a cyclocross bike, with their great control and sharp stopping times, and it’s now rare to find bikes without them. Hydraulic is best, but cable-operated models can be good too.
When it comes to the frame, carbon is king, due to its low weight and ability to form complicated shapes. However, a decent aluminium frame with great parts can beat a cheap carbon one with duff kit. Wheels will necessarily be tough, but if you pay more they can be light too, and can increasingly be set up tubeless to avoid punctures.
When it comes to gears it’s a matter of taste. Many cyclocross bikes employ minimalist single-front-chainring drivetrains. Ditching the front derailleur halves the number of gears you have to choose from, but it keeps things simple, cuts down maintenance, keeps the chain secure and drops a bit of weight.
How much do I need to spend?
Cyclocross is a niche interest, so bikes start at a slightly higher price-point than standard road bikes. Around £600 and up will bag you a good one; north of £1,000 you should be able to get almost all the most lust-worthy features, like hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tubeless tyres and ultra stiff through-axles to attach the wheels. Above £1,300 you can expect to see carbon frames, for lower weight and greater rigidity.
READ NEXT: The best road bikes to buy
The best cyclocross bikes to buy
1. Boardman CX Comp: Best cyclocross bike under £750
Price: £650 | Buy it now from Halfords
One of the cheapest cyclocross bikes available, the CX Comp uses an aluminium frame and fork, which isn’t quite as smooth or light as a carbon alternative. The cable disc brakes are great though, coming with supplementary levers on the top section of the handlebars, so you can brake from multiple positions.
Notably, the CX Comp is designed with space for mudguards and a rack, and the rest of the parts tend towards touring duties, rather than out-and-out racing. The 34/50t chainrings provide relatively high gearing for proper off-road riding, while the wide Schwalbe Tyrago tyres are more suited to faster rolling conditions. Mated to stout Mavic rims, both are robust enough for varied usage. The Shimano Sora groupset isn’t the latest version: with its cables running externally from the shifters and along the frame, it could use a little neatening up. Overall though the CX Comp is a great place to start exploring cyclocross, which undercuts almost all its competition on price.
Key specs – Frame material: Aluminium; Fork: Aluminium; Gearing: Shimano Sora 2 x 9-speed; Wheels: Mavic XM-319, QR; Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc; Additional features: Includes pedals
2. Vitus Energie: Best all-rounder under £1,000
Price: £950 | Buy now from Wiggle
The aluminium Vitus is a hell of a lot of ride for the money. Its flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes, single-chainring drivetrain, tapered carbon fork and bad boy tan-wall tyres all suggest a much higher price tag. The frame may only be aluminium, but it’s triple-butted for lightness and features internal cabling, lots of standover, and modern relaxed geometry – all of which will please both newbies and aggressive riders.
At the front, the high-modulus carbon fork features a tapered carbon steerer and blades, with the wheels bolted in via quick-release style through-axles. And where cheaper bikes often cut corners, the Vitus boasts quality Novatec hubs and light, tough, tubeless compatible rims, which only add to its speedy disposition. Although they don’t like deep mud, the broad 35c tyres fitted are tons of fun in mixed conditions.
What’s more, when you’re done mucking about and ready to go back to work, subtle mudguard and rack mounts mean it’s also possible to make a sensible commuter out of the Vitus. What more could you ask for?
Key specs – Frame material: Aluminium; Fork: Carbon; Gearing: SRAM Apex 1 x 11-speed; Wheels: WTB STPi23/Novatec, Through-axle; Brakes: Sram Apex hydraulic disc; Additional features: Tubeless compatible
3. Genesis Vapour Carbon CX 10: Best for those who like to race for fun
Price: £2,100 | Buy now from Hargroves Cycles
Built on a great carbon chassis, the Genesis employs Shimano’s revamped Tiagra groupset alongside fast wheels to make an ideal privateer racer. The light and stiff frame features progressive angles that make for predictable handling and quick acceleration - and the Vapour’s Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels won’t hold you back either.
Their semi-aero profile isn’t just good for straight line speed, mind: it’ll also help shed mud, being shaped to prevent it stacking up on top of the rim. They’re intelligently partnered with excellent Challenge Grifo plus series tyres, which will eat up a wide range of conditions, from slippery muddy to loose gravel. It’s just a shame that neither they nor the rims can be run tubeless.
Taking care of gearing meanwhile is a Shimano Tiagra 2x10 speed drivetrain. While many bikes are switching to a single-ring setup, the Vapour’s more traditional dual-chainring system offers far more closely spaced gears. Finally, powerful hydraulic discs bring
everything to a halt. Fun to ride and ready to compete, the Genesis is a proper race bike that’s easygoing enough to ride purely for enjoyment.
Key specs – Frame material: Carbon; Fork: Carbon; Gearing: Shimano Tiagra 1 x 10-speed; Wheels: Fulcrum Racing Sport DB, Through-axle; Brakes: Shimano Tiagra hydraulic disc; Additional features: N/A
4. Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2: Most elegant cyclocross bike
Price: £2,299 | Buy now from Rutland Cycling
A standout kit list and a superlatively smooth ride make the TCX a top choice for racers seeking finesse rather than brute strength. Despite using a slack head angle and through-axle, its front end isn’t quite as stiff as some of the others bikes on test, so it’s perhaps not ideal for hacking through super rough sections - but it does keep everything comfy, helped along by the flexible D-shaped seatpost.
The wide ratio 11-36t cassette also flatters riders with less fitness, making light work of prolonged climbs, and two sets of bottle bosses allow for big days out riding without the risk of dehydration. It’s great to see a Sram Rival 1 groupset too at this price point - although the included chain guide is likely to be superfluous, as the narrow-wide chainring and clutch derailleur do a great job of keeping everything in place by themselves.
Key specs – Frame material: Carbon; Fork: Carbon; Gearing: Sram Rival 1 x 11-speed; Wheels: Giant P-X2, Through-axle; Brakes: Sram Rival 1; Additional features: Tubeless compatible
5. Cannondale SuperX Force 1: A peerless all-rounder, for those who won’t compromise on speed or ruggedness
Price: £2,999 | Buy now from Evans Cycles
With its raked out fork, the front of the SuperX is relatively stocky - but the rest is decidedly on the slim side. The skinny 25.4mm carbon seatpost is designed to flex and provide comfort to the seated rider, and sloping down from it are slim SpeedSave seatstays (nicked from Cannondale’s endurance road bikes), which allow the rear wheel a little vertical movement when hurtling over lumps and bumps. They’re paired with symmetrical chainstays which provide huge amounts of mud clearance.
This split personality - rugged and dependable, yet with enough give to preserve the rider - means the SuperX can be thrown about in relative comfort, and its very low weight makes that easy to do. Shifting and braking is provided by SRAM’s ultra-capable Force 1 groupset; employing a single front chainring and 11-speed cassette, Cannondale’s aluminium HollowGram Si chainset stands in for the carbon SRAM model, but performs a similar job. The light wheels meanwhile are held in place with robust through-axles and shod with Schwalbe X-one tyres, which are beautifully grippy and quick in the dry, and acceptable in wet conditions. In short, it’s a fantastic all-rounder.
Key specs – Frame material: Carbon; Fork: Carbon; Gearing: Sram Force 1 x 11-speed; Wheels: Cannondale CX 1.0, Through-axle; Brakes: Sram Force 1; Additional features: Tubeless compatible
6. Specialized Crux Elite X1: Fast, light and ultra-modern – a racer’s dream
Price: £3,000 | Buy now from Rutland Cycling
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With its progressive geometry, extreme stiffness and competent groupset, the Crux is designed to make short work of any terrain - whether you’re mucking about in the woods or sprinting on the bell lap. Its broad fork and bridgeless seatstays leave no place for mud to accumulate, while providing space for much wider tyres than the race-ready models fitted. Indeed, the fork, headtube, downtube, and bottom bracket area are all terrifically stout, with the wheels held in place by equally robust through-axles. While these make wheel changes slower, they boost stiffness and result in a bike that’s happy to carve unwaveringly across rough terrain.
SRAM’s Rival 1x11 speed gearing does away with the front derailleur, shifter, and attendant cabling, simplifying both shifting and maintenance. What you’re left with is a 40t chainring with an 11-32t cassette, providing a spread of gears that’s perfectly tailored to racing - and with a clutch derailleur and narrow-wide chainring teeth there’s little chance of dropping the chain. The braking is just as composed, stopping the bike with G-force inducing rapidity. Fast in the rough stuff, fast on the pedally bits, it’s a simply exceptional machine - and did we mention it’s also neon pink?
Key specs – Frame material: Carbon; Fork: Carbon; Gearing: Sram Rival 1 x 11-speed; Wheels: Roval SLX 24, Through-axle; Brakes: Sram Rival 1; Additional features: Tubeless compatible