Specialized Crux | Featherweight Frame | Best Gravel Bikes Of 2024

[@aaronedgeart]

Have last year's Crux, absolutely love it and am so glad I pulled the trigger on it. As a size 54 with 2" tires mounted, water bottle cages, computer mount and pedals, it weighs 17 pounds on the dot.

[@daniels.2720]

Appeciate the 'universality' of it: BSA, Cabling, seatpost. Like others, I'm hoping for the DSW soon.

[@JoePresentsWTF]

I have this colourway. The multicoloured speckling on the front of the frame looks very cool in person. Is also the best all round bicycle ever made.

[@ericbeech2652]

Just dropped off a dsw frame at the shop! Can't wait.

[@Ultra1997DM.]

Love it , I’ve an Aethos in 54 which is a great fit , but thinking the 52 in the crux will work as it’s a higher stand over and seat tube length . 5-8 for reference longer in upper body . What do you think . .

[@braincantele6161]

Get a 52.

[@BikeLife154]

Why is no one talking about the Crux DSW? I like the Carbon Crux but it's been out forever and is due a refresh. This discussion is years too late! The new Chisel DSW comes out and people are immediately talking about it. What's with that Specialized?

[@SteezeMcWilliams]

Because it’s 4K AUD. Can get similar spec bikes for less or spend a little more for carbon frame and even electronic shifting. Also think people in last year or two are realising it’s a pretty great bike for gravel but still plenty fast on road

[@BikeLife154]

@@SteezeMcWilliams I'm not interested in buying the DSW, but am interested in seeing more about it. I would like a carbon crux if I'm honest. I just think we all already know how good the crux is with many waiting for internal cabling and UDH from Sram. And of course new colours.

[@TarmacSkin]

They will show you the 12k one so you buy the 2600 one which more people can afford

[@LifeCycle1978]

@@BikeLife154no internal routing this round.

[@BikeLife154]

@@LifeCycle1978Really? I like the Crux the way it is, but I was sure they would go with internal cabling on the upcoming refresh.

[@noels8817]

Appreciate the detailed review - just curious if any of the top-tier riders rode the Crux in the latest Unbound?

[@kellenhassell]

2nd place elite men, was on a crux. The PasNormal team guys. And Sofia G-V also rides/rode one too.

[@mckowals]

One of the reviewers is my height at 5’ 9” and the 54 size worked for him. I have a 2018 Roubaix that is 56 cm and fits me well. I’m in the market for a gravel bike and imagine the Crux geometry is different, but would a 54 be too small?

[@timc9619]

I just picked up a 2024 crux. I have two wheelsets to ride road and gravel and it is awesome. Does anyone know of a great fitting frame bag that leaves the bottle cages accessible? I have a 54cm frame

[@competitivecyclist]

The EVOC Frame Pack WP is a good one!

[@msapereable]

Can you use Shimano GRX groupset on it, particularly the double chainring setup?

[@graciejohn2]

Yes, you can. But the front derailleur has to be Di2 and not mechanical.

[@JFomo]

Can this bike take a handlebar bag?

[@cheronoliver6508]

Crux is 🔥

[@miked319]

Love this frame but can you use a mechanical 1x10 or just electronic? Thanks

[@competitivecyclist]

You can do either!

[@akcalder92]

I love my Crux

[@AceMBP]

I heard about a company offering UDH adapter that would work on Crux.. haven't heard how it performs though...

[@competitivecyclist]

Yeah, that's 5DEV. We are curious about it as well.

[@kellenhassell]

@@competitivecyclistany idea why they stopped making / selling it?

[@competitivecyclist]

@@kellenhassell Sounds like they were having some installation issues with it - bummer.

[@kellenhassell]

@@competitivecyclist definitely a bummer, but thank you for replying! 🙌🙌

[@COMOMTB]

I was not aware you could run standard (non wide) cranks on this bike. Does this create any other issues besides running a smaller chainring?

[@competitivecyclist]

Picking a crankset depends on the length of your legs and the type of riding you're doing. Shorter cranks can increase cadence but may reduce your torque. If you're hitting steep climbs, a shorter crank could be beneficial. You should talk to a Gearhead on our website to pick the best option for you!

[@tylerboylehoban2834]

What handlebars did you use for this build?

[@competitivecyclist]

Those are the Zipp Service Course SL 70 Ergonomic, 42cm.

[@tylerboylehoban2834]

@@competitivecyclist thanks for the reply! how do you find them? any desire to upgrade to carbon? they seem to get a lot of great reviews and am considering them over a fancier carbon bar

[@competitivecyclist]

@@tylerboylehoban2834 You can find them on our website: www.competitivecyclist.com/handlebars?p=attrMaterial_uFilter:%22Carbon%22 A carbon bar will reduce your bike's weight and can make your ride more comfortable by reducing noise from the rode. If you're going for speed, you should also consider the aerodynamics of the bars. You can talk to a Gearhead on our website to find the best option for you!

[@sapiens7821]

I like Specialized however I think there way overpriced. The Crux DSW is $4000 with an entry level SRAM Apex XPLR $1800 bucks and cheap DT G540 Wheels few hundred bucks. For $4000 alloy frame I’d want a mid level groupset and premium wheels

[@SoManyMiles]

4000$? Which kinda Dollar? AUD or CAD? It costs 2700 EUR. It’s more expensive than other‘s but not as much as your comment let expect.

[@tonyg3091]

Why would one buy a Crux when there are the Diverge on one hand and the Roubaix on the other?

[@competitivecyclist]

The Crux is the lightest gravel bike you can buy, its great for cyclocross, and is better for racing due to its aggressive geometry. The Diverge is made for long adventure riding. The Roubaix is a good choice if you're primarily doing road but want the option to do gravel.

[@Nwrig004]

Skip this go with the DSW and you get a classy Black and Matte White decal frame. I’ve never understood why specialized offers this spec in such a painful color way. The DSW is aluminum and easy to repaint after a season of gravel (if you are that type of person) The 12R carbon is great but the DSW weight and price is for the masses. If you make money riding a bike go with the S-Works if you are the 99.5% of riders do not 😎

[@mortlow6688]

I have ridden the new 5300€ canyon crai and it was -wowl… Sram xplr. Intern cables, zipp 303 firecrest.8 kg and very comfy but stiff fast frame. I mean half the price and no big difference …mmh

[@gabrielfong]

If you work on your own bike, you would appreciate the exterior cables. Fully integrated can be a pain to service.

[@boots8683]

Made in Temu with western branding.

[@abastabul9115]

Specialized Crocs

[@gonzalomeana41]

External cables 😂😂 10K bike 😂😂😂

[@Peter-y9o]

Consider if you service the bike yourself internal routing is quite a pain to service by comparison