Specialized CruX, Norco Threshold and Canyon Inflite top the list
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The best cyclocross bikes of 2017–18(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
The latest incarnation of the Specialized CruX is all about hot, nasty speed — adding up to a near-perfect race machine(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Integrated bar/stems, composite advances, compliance features, and technical solutions for the demands of 'cross are just some of the tech advances stemming from the 'cross bike arms race(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Integration can be fantastic for adding to compliance and clean appearances, but sound design should take precendent over aesthetics(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Driveside QR-style? Non-driveside QR-style? Flush? Aesthetics or functionality? Non-driveside, flush, with matching allen key dimensions front and rear seems a logical solution(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Front and rear tire clearance should be a priority for muddy days — most bikes on test clear 40mm treaded tires without issue(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Industry Nine ULCX wheels and Schwalbe X-One All-Round tires served as a neutral set of hoops for all test bikes (sans SuperX)(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Schwalbe X-One All-Round tubeless 33mm rubbers held pressure without issue at 25-26psi for testing(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
The X-One tread is a versatile tire providing great bite for accelration and braking, with predicatable breaking points in corners(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Industry Nine is known for terrific engagement and precision machining — excellent power transfer and smooth rolling is their specialty(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
The ULCX wheels have axle adaptability for nearly any combination(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
High-end aftermarket or proprietary cranks can add a touch of high-performance to any race rig — the Easton EC90SL is a personal favorite for maximum stiffness and chainring selection(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Before making a purchase, will you have to replace the contact points for comfort? This can dramatically effect the end price — Niner's Easton AX and Trek's cockpit are perfect examples of ideal comfort and ergonomics(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Norco throws big punches with its recently launched Threshold Carbon(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Canyon combines German engineering, unique industrial design and awesome ride character with its brand new Inflite CF SLX(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
The Giant TCX Advanced 2 is a bike best served at full speed — perfect for 'cross racing(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
SuperX fans embrace the comfort, unique geometry and proprietary wheel spacing of Cannondale's high-performance race rig(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Trek has been embracing high-end alloy for the past few years and its expertise shows in the Crockett Disc 7 — a race-worthy and versatile whip indeed(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Felt leverage its UHC Textreme carbon tech to emphasize stiffness for acceleration and superb handling(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Blood, sweat, and gears — the recently updated Niner BSB is a terrific all-rounder for 'cross and mixed terrain riding(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
The Masi CXCR is tops in the aesthetics and stiffness departments, and includes fender mounts and massive tire clearance for added versatility(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Cable management should address several things: logical routing paths, compatibility, and minimal maintenance frustration(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Not all chain watchers are created equal, while some feel it's not needed at all. My personal favorite is called the 'front derailleur'(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
Several of the test bikes came with suitable wheelsets, but the ULCX dressed up even the best of them(Image credit: Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media)
It's that time of year again — falling leaves, endless rolls of tape and banners, barriers, cowbells, and spectator-friendly racing – it's cyclo-cross season.
'Cross offers several things that, when combined, make for a sport that is possibly the best thing to happen to cycling since pneumatic tires. Grueling efforts, viewable courses, high speeds, technical demands, the occasional spill, beer and, for whatever reason, costumes.
Plus, if you've decided to pin on a number it doesn't matter if you're off the front, off the middle, or off the back. There's no crying in cyclo-cross; it's a good time for all. 'Cross races make for an afternoon well spent if you're a spectator or a racer.
As such, it's no surprise the industry has accepted cyclo-cross as 'here to stay' and greeted it with dedicated, full-carbon race bikes oozing with tech.
With so many options, we included tested 12 brands. To level the playing field as much as possible, we tested bikes built with SRAM Rival 1 in the $2,500–$3,500 / £1,899–£3,000 range. Nine of the brands brought their latest and greatest to the mix.
The scientific-ish method
Over two months I took the bikes on two different test courses, both including gravel, hard-pack grass, off-camber slopes, elevation, rocks and roots, wet and dry conditions, and a bit of pavement. The idea was to get a representative test of the most typical 'cross conditions (sans sand).
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Geometry, front-to-back balance of compliance, acceleration, braking performance, carrying comfort, and frame quality (seatpost binder, caliper mount-facing, creaking and popping, and paint quality) all contributed to the results.
Other points of contention included gear sizing, cockpit comfort, thru-axle configurations and overall quality of parts.
Choosing the best mix for the price is up to you!
Of all these bikes, there's not one that hasn't proven a great bike in some capacity. Some would be terrific gravel bikes, or mixed terrain commuters, but this is a "Best CX Bike" test, and therefore, the results are focused on the attributes that make for an ideal race bike.
Industry Nine neutralizers
Included in my testing protocol was a 'neutral' set of wheels.
Since wheels can contribute greatly to how a bike rides, and given that many 'cross racers will replace the stock wheels for racing, I tested the bikes with Industry Nine ULCX tubeless disc wheels and Schwalbe X-One All-Round 33mm tires, in addition to the stock setup.
I set up the Industry Nine wheels tubeless at 26psi (rear) and 25psi (front) for every test. This approach successfully exposed frameset performance that on occasion was otherwise hidden by inexpensive wheelsets.
Keep your eyes peeled for a review of the Industry Nine ULCX wheels.
Here are our picks for the best 'cross bikes of 2017.
2018 Specialized CruX Elite 1X
Price: £3,000 / $3,200 / AU$TBC
2018 Norco Threshold C Force 1
Price: £TBD / $4,199 /AU$TBC
2018 Canyon Inflite CF SLX 9.0
Price: £2,899 / $3,299 /AU$TBC
2018 Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2
Price: £2,299 / $2,575 /AU$TBC
2018 Cannondale SuperX Force 1
Price: £2,999 / $3,599 /AU$TBC
2018 Trek Crockett 7 Disc
Price: £2,800 / $2,999 / AU$TBC
Also tested
We also test the 2018 Felt F4X Rival 1, Niner BSB 9 RDO and 2018 Masi CXRC Force 1.
What are your priorities?
With Force 1, Rival 1 and Ultegra 2x11 all part of this test, it became nearly impossible to include pricing in the evaluation. The results mirror frame performance, engineering priorities and are only somewhat influenced by spec'ed components.
Read this article to get a clear picture of the difference between Rival 1 and Force 1, to help identify where your money is best spent.
As with any review, it's up to you to decide what priorities make the best bike for you — as initially stated, the benchmark here was based on the demands of 'cross racing. But keep in mind that nearly every one of the bikes on test is available with different component spec, at higher and lower price-points.
We hope this simplifies your path to a new race rig. Enjoy your 'cross season!
