Difference Between CC and Road bikes?

[char]

So what is the difference between a cyclocross and road bike? Is the frame different or just the components?

[gravitylover]

Slightly beefier frame and some of the parts. Usually with some form of cantilever brake or now discs instead of a dual pivot road brake for better tire clearance. 700 x 38 or larger tires and if I build them in my shop a shorter stem and a narrower bar with a short reach and shallow drop. Basically you're not as focused on the weight as the reliability in crappy conditions.

[fondigley]

Like Gravity said, it is beffier and more beatable. You have very fast knobby tires, usually slightly bigger than most road bike tires, but no where near the size of mountain bike tires. The brakes are different, some coming right off Mountain bikes. Mainly a cross bike is right in the middle between mountain and road bikes. It needs to be light enough to carry around the course, over obstacles, sturdy and strong enough to throw down and jump on. I have wanted a cross bike for a while, but really don't need it, unless I want to race, which I think I don't. Cross bikes are made to be fast, yet you want to be able to beat um up and some even have minimal suspension.

[cj001f]

Depends on the manufacturer.

In general the frames have a higher BB, room for bigger tires, sometimes downtube cable routing.

Component wise - Fatter tires, Canti Brakes, Barend shifters were the classic marks of a Cross bike.