Cross-bikes... are they the new Fixie?

[Fab Foodie]

I know it's Cyclo-cross season, but there seems to be a lot more interest in Cross bikes this season.
Is this a reflection of the rise of the sport?
Is it because Cross-bikes are very flexible multi-task/use roadie bikes?
Are they MTB's for roadies?
Are they going to be the new bike thing in the wake of the recent Fixed boom?

Discuss!

 

[wafflycat]

Cross-bikes have been around far longer than MTBs! So much for being 'the new bike thing' or 'MTBs for roadies'

 

[Fab Foodie]

Cross-bikes have been around far longer than MTBs! So much for being 'the new bike thing' or 'MTBs for roadies'

That's true enough, but for they've been very niche and mostly non-existant by most peoples standards. There are generations who think to ride on anything bumpier than a rough-tarmac road you need knoblies and full-sus!
It's the seeming rise in popularity I'm trying to gauge.

 

[fossyant]

By the way you can now get a number of off the peg bikes - defo more popular than it used to be - can be great fun....

I might be tempted to race a bit of cross on my old rigid MTB, if it ever comes out of commuting duties...

 

[Steve Austin]

I thought 29ers were the new fixie?

 

[Dave5N]

Cross bikes are great for cross. Not great for anything else.

Everything the makers do to make them more versatile make them worse for cross.