Before you purchase a new bicycle, it's important to think about what you will use the bike for and where you will ride it. Each style of bike is designed to handle different terrains, riding styles and comfort needs. Some bikes are designed to be light and fast, while others are heavier and designed for comfort and long rides.
Cyclocross Bike
A cyclocross bike more closely resembles a road bike than a mountain bike but has a few modifications to the frame and slightly different components. The tires are knobby and narrow and the bike uses cantilever brakes for better stopping power, especially in muddy conditions. The frame also has a taller bottom bracket than a traditional road bike, allowing for greater clearance over obstacles.
Cyclocross Uses
A cyclocross bike is designed for the sport of cyclocross, which takes place on a closed course that often contains mud, sand or other obstacles and barriers that riders must maneuver through and over. These races are designed to be short, and riders aren't seated in one position for long. When not used in a cyclocross race, cyclocross bikes are ideal for use on gravel paths, mud and grass. Some people also prefer them for commuting, especially in wet conditions. But these bikes are not designed for use on single-track mountain bike courses. Unlike the majority of mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes have no shocks or suspension systems, making for a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride over rocks and roots. The bikes aren't designed to hit drops and bunnyhop obstacles like traditional mountain bikes.
Mountain Bike
A mountain bike has a beefier frame than a road or cyclocross bike, as well as flat handlebars. The shifters and the brakes are not integrated, unlike most modern road bikes. Mountain bikes traditionally use 26-inch tires, though 29 inches is becoming more popular. Like cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes have knobby tires, but they are much wider to accommodate rough trail conditions. Most mountain bikes also have front and sometimes rear suspension as well as disc brakes, which add greater stopping power than cantilevers.
Mountain Bike Uses
Mountain bikes are specifically designed to be used on single-track or rough terrain, including rocks, roots, shallow streams and mud. The bike's wider tires and suspension systems make them more comfortable than a cyclocross bike in these conditions. They are also better equipped and safer at handling rough trail conditions. Conversely, a mountain bike's wide tires and heavier frame make it slower on a cyclocross course or on a gravel bike path.
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