For this reason they are becoming very popular as touring bikes. Cross bikes can be found in almost all configurations. Some are even coming with lightweight front suspension forks. The cross bike is the ultimate aggressive recreational road bike, with the ability to take on groomed dirt roads and light trail riding as well. This is the traditional bike of European road racing, and has a history of nearly 100 years.
Road bikes give up quite a bit in comfort, but gain efficiency in top speed.
The frame geometry is typically very tight, making the handling quick and responsive. For high-speed street riding, these are the bikes. Built for the long haul, touring bikes look a lot like road bikes but are more comfortable and durable. Not that they're overly heavy or slow. In fact, they're great for day rides and extended trips.