Extra 10% Off

In Stock Components | Use Code: COMPONENTS10
Shop Now
Home > Help & Advice > Start Your Cycling Journey > Commute By Bike > Gravel & Cyclocross Commuter Bikes
cyclocross bikes cyclocross bikes

Gravel & Cyclocross Commuter Bike Guide

Should You be Commuting on a Gravel or Cyclocross Bike?

Cyclocross bikes have changed a lot in the last few years and gravel bikes have become a lot more popular. You won’t be surprised to find out that this makes them a great option for commuting. Gravel and cyclocross bikes are perfect commuters and winter bikes, as well as being ready for some off road fun. Read on to find out why.


What is a Gravel Bike?

Gravel bikes fill the gap between endurance road bikes and mountain bikes. With flare drop bars, wide treaded tyres, disc brakes and one-by drivetrains you can ride these bikes pretty much anywhere.

Offering a stable more upright ride, these bikes tend to be a little less racy than CX bikes and the tyres are often wider too for a smoother ride on rough roads ad cycle tracks. See our gravel bike guide for more.


What is a Cyclocross Bike?

Cyclocross is a sport where you ride bikes with drop bars and skinny tyres off road, with obstacles that require you to get off your bike. Races normally last an hour. Traditionally (and predictably), old cyclocross bikes are designed for cyclocross races, so they come without things like bottle cage mounts, mudguard mounts or other practical things that might make general riding and training a bit easier.

However, they also have some features that make them great fun. Obviously, they’re made to be a bit stronger than a road bike that only gets used on the road. 

They’ve also got room for fatter, knobbly tyres. This makes them perfect for potholed roads or nipping onto a towpath, bridleway or cycle track from time to time. Just like you’d find on your way to work.

What’s more, the cables are normally routed to keep them out of the way of mud, which helps keep things working well as the bike gets mucky. See our cyclocross bike guide for more.


Moving with the times

As time has passed, cyclocross bikes have evolved to become a bit more useful when you venture outside of the course tape. 

Adding bottle cage mounts was an obvious one, but then mudguard and pannier mounts are really useful for riding on the road – and if you’ve got the clearance for them in your frame, why not? 

Suddenly, a cyclocross bike can be tooled up for commuting during the week and then stripped back for weekend fun time!

For those looking for even more off-road capability, you might like to look into the world of Gravel Bikes. Much wider tyres and more relaxed geometry, gravel bikes are not as sporty and aggressive as CX bikes but can also make great commuters.


Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are great, and cyclocross bikes were some of the first outside of the mountain biking world to use them. Now gravel bikes have helped take disc brakes to the next level

Discs give you consistent stopping in all conditions, whether you’re slogging it out in the mud or just on a rainy A-road. 

As a bonus for the non-racers, they also stop your rims from getting covered in black muck that gets everywhere when you have to fix a puncture. 

Finally, disc brakes don’t wear out your rims, so you’ll get much, much more life out of those commuting wheels.


Daily driver

Even if you’ve no interest in doing a cyclocross race a CX or gravel bike can be a great addition to your quiver for winter or utility riding, keeping your main bike clean and ding-free for gratuitous weekend posing sessions. 

Winter bikes are a cycling tradition that goes back as far as living memory. The idea is that when the weather is bad, you swap to a bike that’s kitted out with mudguards, more puncture-resistant tyres and lower end components. Your winter bike takes the beatings and is cheaper to maintain, while your other bike can come out on the nice days when you want to go fast and look good. 

We’ve got a great selection of cyclocross and gravel bikes, from sensible options that give you a fun and reliable ride to all-out race machines that’ll give you pro-level performance. For more see our Cyclocross Bike Guide and our Gravel Bike Guide. To take a look at our CX and gravel ranges, see below


Popular Cyclocross Bikes

Popular Gravel Bikes


Suggested Guides


£5 OFF VOUCHER

When you spend £50 or more.

Sign up to our newsletter and get all the deals and special offers first.

GoogleNorton securedNovunaPayPal Credit

© Performance Cycling Limited 2025. Tredz is a trading name of Performance Cycling Limited. All Rights Reserved Company No. 03398601 | VAT No: 797 0776 69

Performance Cycling Limited trading is registered in England and Wales 03398601. Registered office: Icknield Street Drive, Washford West, Redditch, Worcestershire, England, B98 0DE.

Performance Cycling Limited t/a Tredz and Tredz Bikes is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and acts as a credit broker and not a lender, offering finance products from a restricted range of finance providers including PayPal UK Ltd and Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC.

PayPal Credit is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, 5 Fleet Place, London, United Kingdom, EC4M 7RD. Your actual interest rate and credit limit may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

Terms and conditions apply. Credit subject to status. UK residents only. PayPal Credit Representative Example: Representative 23.9% APR (variable), Purchase interest rate 23.9% p.a. (variable), Assumed credit limit £1,200.00.

Learn more about PayPal Credit

PayPal Pay in 3 is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, 5 Fleet Place, London, United Kingdom, EC4M 7RD. Your actual interest rate and credit limit may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

PayPal Pay in 3 is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+. UK residents only. Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement.

Learn more about Pay in 3

Novuna is a trading name of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-Upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP.

Novuna finance products are subject to status.  UK residents only. 18+.  Terms and Conditions apply.

† Novuna Representative Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52 and your selected term is 36 months 14.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 14.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £145.38 per month. Total amount payable will be £5.233.68 with a cost of credit of £978.16.

† Novuna Buy Now Pay Later Representative Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52, payment holiday of 12 months followed by 24 monthly payments. 9.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 9.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £213.02 per month. Amount of Credit £4255.52, Total amount payable will be £5,112.48 with a cost of credit of £856.96. If the loan amount is voluntarily paid in full before the deferral period ends, interest will be waived but an early settlement fee up to £29 will apply.

Prior to taking out any form of credit you should ensure that the payments are affordable and how you will repay them. Taking on additional credit may make other borrowing more difficult or expensive. See product terms for more details.

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeStrava