The Planet Cross was ridden by Johs Huseby to the National Collegiate Championship in October of 1996, just prior to its formal introduction at the 1996 Interbike in Anaheim. The Planet Cross was designed by Lloyd Graves, an active 'cross racer, who sought to develop his ideal racer which would address the shortcomings he saw in other 'cross racers.

The Planet Cross has a tall head tube to provide ample shoulder clearance for portaging, bridgeless chain stays to minimize mud buildup, a special 'cross fork (stronger than our road fork) with extra tire clearance and a derailleur adjuster mounted on the seat tube to keep it out of the mud.

Tim Johnson placed third among Espoirs in the Cyclocross World Championship race aboard a Planet Cross in 1999, the first American ever to medal in this event. Tim rode to victory in the National Cyclocross Championship in 2001 aboard the latest Planet Cross. While Tim deserves the lion's share of the credit, the Planet Cross consistently finishes in the top ten positions for most Super Cup and National races.