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Old 10-26-20, 03:20 PM
  #11  
msu2001la
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Since cyclocross, by definition, is a racing event it makes sense that bikes sold in this category are specifically designed with racing in mind and therefore may not have as many options at the lowest end of the price spectrum. Every major manufacturer I can think of produces a UCI level carbon fiber CX race bike in the $2500-$7500 range. Many have a lower priced alloy versions in the $1200-$2000 range. You aren't likely to find a CX specific bike priced much below that range.

Most CX bikes make decent gravel bikes (to a point), but are designed with more limited tire clearance since the UCI (currently) limits CX tires to 33mm. Many CX bikes can fit larger tires, but not some of the massive clearance you'll find on gravel bikes. You also won't find all the extra bottle and rack mounts on most CX bikes because they aren't needed for racing, and many CX bikes are sold with narrower range 1x gearing that is more suited to CX courses.

There are usually some geometric differences between CX and gravel bikes. Gravel bikes tend to be more slack and have lower BB heights, whereas CX bikes tend to be more upright, more aggressive with higher BB's. The lines are getting more blurry these days as the "gravel bike" market expands.
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