The best cyclocross bikes of 2021 | 9 top-rated CX bikes
Cannondale SuperX Apex, Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2, and Specialized CruX Expert top the list
Cyclocross has been around since the turn of the last century and is now a very well-established sport. But in bike terms, it has never stopped evolving, particularly over the last few years with the explosion of ever more advanced carbon fiber construction, the growth in popularity of disc brakes, and a shift towards tubeless tires.
For some time, lower-priced cyclocross bikes have been looked upon as not only racing machines but also as general workhorses, with rack and mudguard mounts common, often more road-oriented gearing, and occasionally compromised design.
They've got to be light enough to carry, stable enough to ride, and sturdy enough to take plenty of abuse
They’ve got to be light enough to carry, stable enough to ride, and sturdy enough to take plenty of abuse. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Best cyclocross bikes
- Cannondale SuperX Apex: £2,500
- Giant TCX Advanced Pro2: £2,299 / $2,995 / AU$3,499
- Specialized CruX Expert: £4,250 / $4,700
- Vitus Energie EVO CRS: £3,499 / $4,299.99 / €3,999.99 / AU$5,999.99
- Boardman CXR 9.2: £2,399
- Merida Mission CX 8000: £3,600 / AU$5,000
- Ribble CX SL Pro: £3,249 / $3,462 / $5,800
- Ribble CX5: £2,104 (as tested)
- Trek Crockett 7: £2,500 / $2,929
The advent of specific adventure and gravel bikes has not only created more niches for manufacturers to fill, but the specialization it has brought has given cyclocross bikes their purity of purpose back.
Of course, you could easily convert them for training, commuting, or gravel used with