Cross bikes were originally created to combine the benefits of both road and mountain bikes. Their large, cushioned seats and upright handlebars provide a comfortable riding position and are best suited for casual riding around the neighborhood, bike paths, short-distance commuting as well as going on errands in the city. They can be ridden on paved roads, but are not as light and efficient as road bikes. They are ideal for both paved and unpaved bike trails, but are not suitable for rough off-road bike trails. The tires are usually medium width with a semi-smooth tread to provide a fairly smooth ride on sidewalk and give enough grip and cushioning on unpaved trails. Most hybrid bikes have front suspension cushioning to smooth out small bumps, but some are fully rigid.

Buy a cross bike if: your main use of the bike will be commuting and/or riding around town and occasionally riding off-road.

Do not buy a cross bike if: you need a bike to fully indulge in high-speed riding on paved roads or to ride mountain bike trails as efficiently as possible.

The company was founded in 1993 by Marcus Pürner, who started with a 50 m2 area in his father’s furniture factory in Waldershof, Germany. The company has expanded its production area to 55,000 m2 and sells to more than 60 countries worldwide.