Cyclo-Cross Vs Gravel: Same Bike, Different Name?

A debate that divides cyclists like no other, CX bike or gravel bikes, is there even a difference? Both have evolved to suit the needs of any cyclist off-road, but are they just the same thing? Si is here to check both out! Plus really want to know what YOU think, let us know!

Big thanks to ShamXross for letting us use the cyclocross course which is on private land. Please, if you recognise the location, don't ride it! You'll have to wait until the next race so you don't risk putting the future of the course in jeopardy. Thanks.
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[gcn]

CX or gravel bike - which would you choose?

[philmcaleer]

Ok, we all usually give props to the presenter for these videos, but I would like to give major props to the entire production team on this one. The director, camera person, and especially the editor. Outstanding imaginative creation. Well done all! If you could, please let us know who the people behind the scenes are.

[elmichaelz]

The production quality on GCN has reached new heights. Si himself is clearly on his game, no doubt, and the sweet camera work and editing gives him the platform to really shine. Just outstanding all around. (applause)

[markandreassen]

I ride a 2021 Crockett with a GRX-810 2X setup and 38mm in front, 42mm in back. I love it, It's comfy, fast, nimble and absolutely adequate for everything from commuting to gnarly single track at the MTB park. I've done 10 hour rides and not been uncomfortable, tired, yes! I have a bit of blade tape on the inside drive stay to prevent tire or mud rub and it's held up, no paint missing yet after thousands of Km's of muddy, winter fun! I ride in Victoria BC, Canada. WET!

[billybish]

I use my cx bike for everything. 3 sets of wheels with different tyre types. I did the King Alfred Way in 3 days, with bikepacking gear and 38mm tyres. Plus it's equally at home on the tarmac.
My swiss army knife bike

[gaborozorai]

Gravel bikes also tend to offer a more relaxed body position, like endurance vs. race geometry. I've done a 10-day bike-packing tour on a CX and it was NOT comfortable.

[dufferent]

Love CX bikes. I use my Trek Boone as a lightweight and comfortable long distance road bike, and my Giant TCX as a super fast gravel bike with 45 mm tires.

[RyanTnz]

Great video! Bought my CX bike not really knowing much about the deep rabbit hole of the world of bikes… I’ve enjoyed it on all terrains - road, gravel, single track. With the skinnier tyres I’ve just been able to hop on and go for a ride with mates with road bikes, and then the same bike when doing off road missions - so versatile! That said… I’m now looking to buy a new tyre and wheel set - wider tyres for some of those more rockier adventures as the skinner setup has had me slightly worried and well shaken on a few trips 😅 wouldn’t change the bike though! I’m riding a Kona, Jake the snake 🤘 happy trails everyone

[dwalinthedwarf]

I've got a CX bike with 42mm tires on. It is a goddamn dream machine! :) Fast and comfortable offroad and onroad. Love it :).

[sergiodihno]

I bought an aluminum CX bike a few years back without knowing the difference between it and a proper gravel bike. I thought about getting rid of it but instead I upgraded it from mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic, I managed to get my hands on SRAM Axs Rival groupset (after many months of waiting for components to be in stock), and now I absolutely love it. It's my main bike for commuting to work, carrying my toddler around on his bike trailer, and riding in the winter/rain....My full carbon bike (worth three times the price) now sits on my trainer... I sometimes feel a proper gravel bike would have suited me better, but I've learned to live with my CX bike and have grown to love it :)

[robm]

I bought a Trek Checkpoint a few months ago for mixed-terrain riding and all-day touring. I don't really do CX, but I took the bike on a local CX course and I had a ton of fun on it! It's horses for courses, but for me, I prioritised versatility over performance.

[danieldotter]

Honestly I think the biggest differences come from the BB height and followed closely by the head tube angle. That said, as demonstrated by this video, there is ALOT of overlap between the two, so depending on your riding needs, both would suit you just fine. I run a Crockett (Aluminum Boone basically) as a dedicated gravel bike and I have no regrets.

[bubblesezblonde]

I have a Crockett which I absolutely LOVE. I prefer it for my Feb-August riding. It eats tarmac as equally as well as gravel, mud, sand and snow.

[gezza]

I’ve got the 2022 Checkpoint and can’t rate it highly enough, love riding it. From road to climbing washed out fire trails here in Australia. Its an an amazing bike and a true credit to Trek.

[soerenhaufen]

great opener! speed, transitions, splitscreen! loads of energy in 1minute clip!

love to the editor!

[fastharri]

Glad to see a video on this. Asked plenty of roadie mates the same question and after initially answering “they’re different” they generally have no idea how!

[marcusathome]

I believe for most people the gravel grinder is the better bike since they neither have the intention nor the skills to ride the CX bike where it can shine. Love the CX bike, tho.

[karlgalko]

I race cx and it is my discipline of choice in cycling, so naturally I had a friend who is new to cycling ask me the difference between cx and gravel bikes a couple of days ago. I explained it was minimal to someone not looking exclusively for racing cx and mainly geometry. And then boom, you made the perfect video for the conversation for me to just forward to him! thanks @GCN!

[christophertrapp]

Si showing his dirt riding chops! I love to see him pumping the whoops and sliding the rear wheel around. It's, dare I say, Sagan-esque? Bravo!

[robbchastain]

Thanks, Si, for the comparison and history lesson. Amazing to think that we haven't had gravel bikes as a genre for all that long and kudos to those in America's heartland for following the yellow gravel road. And for me, Kansas is where I discovered indoor trainers at a bike shop in late '82. I was interested in rollers, but when I saw that stand, I opted for it and became a big fan of indoor winter training immediately.