If you need a bike that is faster and tougher than a road bike, then you might be looking for a cyclocross bike. Cyclocross bikes may look like normal racing bicycles, which are usually used on road races. However, you can tell the difference in the frame design when you closely look at it. These bikes also have wider clearances to provide complete protection to the wheel at the same time to avoid buildup of mud and dirt, which is very important in a cyclocross race.
Popular frame materials of cyclocross bikes include steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber. The choice is up to you and what you would use the bike for. Each frame material has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose carefully.
These types of bikes are tougher and faster and more importantly, you can take it to places where a road bike can never go.