Cyclocross and gravel riding are the latest trends in cycling, and like many, you might be trying to identify the differences between gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes. Both generally have wider tires than road bikes and are likely to use disc brakes.

Figure 1: New AC388 Cyclocross Frameset

Another issue is that gravel bikes, being relatively new to the cycling world, offer more than just a passing grade to cyclocross bikes. So, I’d like to discuss the differences between the new cyclocross frameset  AC388 and the new gravel frameset GRA02.

Figure 2: New GRA02 Gravel Bike Frameset

Carbon fiber construction

First, let me explain what these two framesets have in common. Both use Toray T700 carbon fiber. 

We use Toray T700, an excellent material for assembling bicycle parts. Toray is one of the world's leading carbon fiber manufacturers. What you don't know about carbon isn't worth knowing.

With this, we can make lightweight, strong, and stiff bicycle frames. When riding off-road frequently, strength is even more important. Your bike needs to be reliable. A bike you don't have to worry about lets you laugh in the face of danger and won't break if you crash.

The next similarity is that both frames feature internal routing for both cables and hoses. Both frames can accommodate your preferred flat mount disc brakes. To maximize the braking performance of flat mount brakes, each frame is equipped with thru-axles.

Both use 100x12mm thru-axles in the front and 142x12mm in the rear. Thru-axles help to stiffen the frame, no matter which one you choose, and also help create very stiff wheels. A very robust wheelset perfectly complements our frames and will help channel all your power to conquer whatever terrain you're riding on.

Getting to the bottom of it

The last similarity is that both framesets use a BB86 bottom bracket. We designed oversized bottom bracket areas on both frames to increase stiffness and ensure the chainstays are wide enough to accommodate thru-axles.

Next, to finish both frames, we used tapered head tubes to maximize front-end stiffness and improve steering precision. Since both these frames are designed for off-road riding, you'll want to know where your bike is going and where it will take you.

Getting tired?

Now that we've looked at the similarities, let's examine the differences. For many, the big one is wheel clearance. The AC388 frameset allows for 700x38mm tires. This exceeds the UCI-permitted size for cross races. Racing with cross-legal tires will put a load on mud clearance, especially on muddy courses that occur during winter.

The GRA02 has larger tire clearance. When riding long distances on unpaved roads, you need cushioning. The GRA02 can run on 700x42mm tires and, being designed as the ultimate gravel bike, it also clears 650b sized 1.95-inch tires. Wider 650b tires generally have the same ride height as 700cc tires, so people often run 650b tires on gravel bikes. You just get the benefit of more air volume, allowing you to stay comfortable without sacrificing speed.

Wheelbase length

To accommodate wider tires, the GRA02, like most gravel bikes, has a longer wheelbase than the AC388. The AC388's shorter wheelbase is particularly suited for twisted, technical race courses.

The GRA02's longer wheelbase makes the bike feel more stable and can help prevent you from falling over on steep descents, especially if you have a fully loaded bikepacking setup on your bike. The GRA02 has longer chainstays than the AC388, which creates the longer wheelbase. This is a very simple way to build tire clearance.

To maintain stability, the head angle of the GRA02 is slacker than that of the AC388. You probably wouldn't notice, but you would if you looked at the geometry chart. The steeper angle of the AC388 is very beneficial when racing in a group, and only a slight movement is needed to maneuver the bike around corners.

When riding on very muddy courses and having to jump over obstacles, you'll want your pedals out of the way. For that reason, the bottom bracket on the AC388 is slightly higher than on the GRA02. The bottom bracket height of the GRA02 makes the bike feel more stable and secure, especially when bikepacking through the Andes.

As you can see, cyclocross and gravel frames are similar but also have differences that make each best suited for its respective genre.

Because of these similarities, you could also use the GRA02 for cross racing or bikepacking with the AC388. While neither would be as good as a dedicated gravel or cyclocross bike, if you're looking to try something new, neither frameset will hinder your adventurous side.