Difference Between Cyclocross & Cross Country

Course Footprint

• The typical cyclocross course has a compact footprint, usually between 1.5 and 2 miles in length, making it spectator friendly. Cross country courses tend to cover a more expansive area of land, ranging from 7 to 10 miles per lap. The disparity in distances is due to the fact that cyclocross courses are built around man-made obstacles, whereas the natural topography of the area is emphasized more in cross country cycling.

Topography

• Cyclocross events are held on ground that is generally flat but can incorporate rolling hills, as well. Cross country races, on the other hand, make extensive use of steep hills and mountains. A cross country race will often feature steep ascents and descents making climbing and descending a key component to a racer's strategy, since each lap can contain anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand feet of elevation change.

Obstacles

• Cyclocross courses consist of a few paved portions and multiple off-road surfaces including mud, dirt, grass and peat-gravel. Cyclocross courses include obstacles such as hurdles or logs that require the rider to dismount his bike and run or "shoulder" his bike for a distance; as such, the abilities to dismount and mount, as well as carry the bike, are crucial to cyclocross racing. Cross country mountain bike courses often take the rider over a vast array of technical obstacles including tree roots, streams, creek beds, Jeep roads, rock gardens and boulders. While cyclocross racing emphasizes "shouldering" the bike over hurdles, a cross country mountain bike race is won on the hill climbs, which make up the majority of most cross country trails.

Frame and Fork

• The silhouette and frame construction of a cyclocross bike closely resembles that of a traditional road-racing bike. Cyclocross bikes have rigid frames and forks, as the technical aspects of the course do not necessitate a suspension system. Cross country mountain bikes resemble the prototypical mountain bike. These bikes features a smaller frame, offering greater stand-over height than a cyclocross bike, which aids in negotiating the technical terrain a cross country racer will encounter. Cross country bikes have front suspensions with 3 to 4 inches of suspension travel, about half that of the downhill-specific race bikes. Rear suspension is used on some highly technical courses, but most cross country race bikes have hardtails.

Gearing and Handlebars

• Cyclocross bikes have a traditional road-going gear setup with a double-chainring configuration mounted to the cranks and tall gearing for the flat, open terrain. Gearing on a cross country bike is comprised of a double or triple-chainring setup, but the gears are smaller than those on a cyclocross bike to accommodate the steep climbs of the cross country course. Cyclocross bikes feature drop-style handlebars from road bikes due to the greater pedaling efficiency offered by the lower position of the cyclist's body. Cross country bikes, however, use flat handlebars that give the rider a more upright riding position, placing the focus on handling tight corners and technical terrain.

Braking

• Cyclocross bikes have cantilever-style brakes, which offer more clearance for mud than a typical road bike's caliper brakes. Cyclocross bikes are not equipped with linear-pull brakes because they are not necessary over the mostly flat terrain and the shape of the V-style brake does not offer the mud clearance of the favored cantilever design. Disc brake systems prove too heavy for the "shouldering" involved in cyclocross without offering a notable braking advantage. Cross country brakes are either V-style, linear-pull brakes or disc brakes, depending on personal preference and course conditions. Disc brakes are resistant to the brake-fade that can occur on long descents, and some riders see these heavier brakes as advantageous for their riding style. Additionally, some riders may use disc brakes on particularly muddy courses due to the wheel clearance provided by having the braking system at the center of the wheel.

Wheels

• Cyclocross bikes ride on 700c tires, the same size as road racing bikes. This wheel size offers extra pedaling efficiency. Cyclocross tires are slightly wider than road bike tires, and usually measure just over an inch in width and utilize a slightly tread pattern. Cross country mountain bikes are equipped with 26-inch tires, which are slightly smaller in diameter than cyclocross tires. The smaller tire size allows for greater maneuverability over technical terrain. The width of cross country tires hovers around the two-inch mark but can be narrower or wider based on a rider's preference. Cross country tires incorporate the trademark knobby tread pattern that is characterized by studs protruding from the outline of the wheel, although some riders use a semi-slick, which only has the beefy tread on the edges of the tire's contact area.