When we set out to make an ultimate race bike, everybody wins. Exhibit CC is right here in the form of the Cross Concept, designed from the ground up to be your best choice in a cyclocross bike. Its frame, a combination of Scandium 7000 tubes with a carbon rear triangle, is ever so light (skirting the 3-pound barrier), stiff, and responsive, with intelligent details such as a flat top tube area for shouldering. You also get a component line-up that reads like a ’cross wish list. The bike begs to be ridden fast, so much so that you’ll want to switch the tires when the season is over and keep riding it on the road. Go right ahead.

The Axis’s Easton UltraLite tubing is shaped to the same dimensions as the Cross Concept frame, and carbon fork is identical, giving you an impeccable foundation of a lightweight, efficient ride for cyclocross racing. But why stop there? The Axis can be more than one bike, if you are so inclined. It has rack and fender eyelets, plus wide, low gearing, so you can enjoy different kinds of excursions. After all, when the ride is this inviting, you should be able to spend more time on your bike. (One exception: You’ll spend less time on the Axis in ’cross races, because you’ll get to the finish line sooner.)

The Roger is the cyclocross bike you may not have been expecting: It has only one gear. But wait, it makes sense: You don’t have to worry about shifting in the ’cross muck, and when you can’t pedal the Roger’s 48x17 gear anymore, its lack of derailleurs and extra cogs makes the weight that much easier to shoulder and run with. Away from the race course, the Roger is just plain fun to ride, with disc brakes to keep you in control. Can a single-speed cyclocross bike put you in touch with your inner spinning guru? Roger that.

It’s been two decades since the original Volpe turned heads with the then-novel combination of road bike smoothness and mountain bike toughness. The modern Volpe has evolved into a popular, go-everywhere road/trail bike. Its steel frame delivers a smooth ride plus carrying capacity for commuting or distance touring. Its wide, low gearing and 32C tires will tempt you to steer the Volpe onto dirt roads for fun. It even gives you in-season cyclocross capabilities. What’s not to like?

The San Jose offers a harmonious balance of two things—practicality and performance—with only one gear. This lightweight single-speed chariot is perfect for commuting and around-town cruising. The relaxed, sturdy frame has clearance for wide tires, so you can also dabble in the dirt and in cyclocross. Not everyone wants or needs 20-something gears to shift, and a lot of good can come of freeing yourself of constantly having to choose the right one. When it comes to elegant simplicity, the San Jose knows the way.