Can one ride a cyclocross bike on moderate mt. bike paths?

Question

Paths which are made up of primarily dirt and a few rocks....

Answer 1

Yeah....how much you enjoy it will depend on the trail, though.

Most x-cross wheels aren't all that strong in comparision with mtb wheels, so you'll want to be careful of the rocks.  Your tires are pretty narrow, too, so it'll be much easier to get off track in sand or mud....it can be done, though, it just takes different handling skills and lines.  Just try to go easy on your rims.

I used to take my road bike (with 23c semi-slick road tires) on motocross trails.   It sucked.  I bought a mountain bike and then found my heart really was on the dirt trails instead of the pavement.   I'd tell you to get a mountain bike, but I sure did have a blast back then.   lol.  

Good luck, have fun with it!   :o)

Answer 2

Yes, sort of.

Depends on your skills as a rider, quality of bike, and what qualifies as "moderate" by your local standards.

I sometimes ride my 'cross bike on local single track trails that are marked as intermediate with no problem.

If your steady diet is going to be MTB trails then get a mountain bike.

Answer 3

that's what cyclocross is! basically MTB on a road style frame & bars..

Answer 4

Dirt and rocks? Yep that's pretty much what cross can handle.

The rub here is HOW are those dirt and rocks configured. You say a moderate trail. To me that would exclude anything but a MTB. Moderate trails include small jumps, tech. up and down hills etc. that a cross may not be worthy of.

An easy MTB trail could mostly be ridden on a cross bike. But again it depends. Give it a go, if you have to walk the bike a couple times no big deal. I think you'd have to ride it to really know.

Answer 5

Is a cyclocross like a brontosaurus?   That might be cheating.