Cross Bikes

Received some requests for my definition of a cross bike

What is a cross bike? Why can't I use my cross bike for touring and commuting? Can a cross bike be my only bike?

I will start with these three questions and explain my answers:
1) A cross bike by definition is a race bike that can ride road, off-road, gravel and dirt. The bike is intended for hard use and for a rather short duration in comparison to other types of bikes. The bike was originally created, or more or less hacked together, for winter training. Now though, cyclocross racing has taken off and for some people cross racing is their primary goal.

2) A cross bike in its true form will not have bottle mounts, rack mounts, fender mounts or any other extras that help make a commuter a proper commuting bike. The position is not optimal for road use. You could get a commuter that COULD be used in the occasional cross race. I would rather have a commuter that is a dedicated commuter that COULD work twice a year as a cross bike.

A touring bike is a touring bike. Very low center of gravity and totally unique geometry specific to loaded riding. Bikes not designed to hold 50 lbs will ride funny when loaded and vice versa.

3) If I had to choose one bike it would be my cross bike. That however is not for everyone. It is kind of a pig on the road after 20 miles or so, it can somewhat ride off-road but not as fast as a MTB and it requires a hydration pack for those epic gravel road journeys. Still I love cross and will always have a special place in my collection for one or two of them.

If I missed some issues people were curious about feel free to ask.

Cheers,
Drew