Specialized Crux vs Enve MOG: The BEST Gravel Bikes of 2023???

[@outdoorbros_]

Two of the best gravel bikes on the market today. Which would you choose?

[@KevinMatassa]

lol. LS ;-) Nice review. I'd pick the Crux.

[@pjohns8]

waiting on the Allied Echo and all the adventures in France. When I grow up I want to be just like Chris!

[@Leo-ss2gb]

S-Works diverge. Way more comparable to mog anyway lol. Specialized invented DT storage and the diverge has HUGEEEEE swat box. Diverge is more of a "standard" modern gravel bike

[@adventure_biker]

None the best is the Giant Revolt advanced

[@outdoorbros_]

@@adventure_biker why is it the best?

[@rollamichael]

Rented a MOG in Girona, Spain for a week this past June. Loved it! Gravel route took me to a wheat field and I had to carry the bike a km or two, it's very light and works as an excellent backpack!

[@HappyCampa]

Waiting on the Allied Echo review!

[@outdoorbros_]

Such a good bike!

[@martinwastie3417]

Great video. I am a crux owner and I think the only limitation off-road is probably the lack of rack mounts, but then obviously most bags use straps anyway. It does have three water bottle mounts, but no bento box mount on top tube. That aside, it will do everything you want it to do off road. I recently did a three day stage gravel race in which there were lots of very technical sections which were mountain bike level (a third of the field were on mountain bikes actually). The crux took it all in his stride and it was a brilliant bike to ride over the three days and the very many different types of terrain. Then I got home and next day put the road wheels on and then did the Chaingain! The versatility is quite something and really makes me smile!

[@outdoorbros_]

Nice! The versatility really is impressive, isn’t it?

[@hkylfty16]

@outdoorbros_ just want to say how much I appreciate your content. I never comment on videos and I felt worth sharing that your integrity in your approach and authenticity in your reviews is rare found. I'm in the market for a new high-end gravel bike and discovered your channel. No idea if I'll end up with an Aspero, Mog, or even Crux, but you've brought up some really helpful information and you back it with deep experience on the saddle. I've not seen any better cycling equipment content on the web. Thank you--keep doing what you're doing.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thank you! Super kind comment. All of those bikes are good, just different. Let me know where you end up!

[@1RA787]

Great review, especially the details between the two bikes.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thank you!

[@JoeCincotta307]

Top notch real talk, as always.

[@outdoorbros_]

Thank you!

[@jesusbeltran2850]

I got the MOG after watching all your MOG vids ... I also own a Land Cruiser.. :P Still waiting on my LBS to finish the build... we'll see.

[@shinhochulp]

Thanks for the review. I am looking for an all-in-one gravel and road bike. Two wheel sets for gravel and road. Seems like Crux would be the best fit.

[@martinwastie3417]

That’s what I do with my Crux and it is awesome in both configurations. Off road it can do everything I throw at it (eg last week a 10 hrs FKT attempt), on road with 303s and Spec Mondo tyres, feels little slower than my Specialized Tarmac. I have 2x 43/30 10-36 which is a very useful range for both on and off road. Really think this is the way forward!

[@outdoorbros_]

If you’re riding a lot of road, it’s a great choice.

[@mohamadjamil3164]

Someone is getting better and better :)

[@outdoorbros_]

My man… where is the SL8?

[@mohamadjamil3164]

@@outdoorbros_ waiting. Had to turn down an offer for the Remco white frame for that. I would be really pissed if the new bike is delayed further. And of course, loosing to you when it comes to predictions :))) hope that you had fun in Europe

[@outdoorbros_]

@@mohamadjamil3164 hahaha! I won’t hold it against you. Maybe they’ll release it at the Vuelta where Remco can really launch it well. Meanwhile, the 7 has been performing well this summer.

[@clipsandstrapsjounal]

The MOG doesn't give up anything on the gravel spectrum, it just keeps going and going, the crux on the other hand gives up some, and fair to say it favours the road, or gives up less on the road. But how much does it give up on the road compared to the MOG?

[@xiaochenfan5056]

Greeting from China. Thanks for the great review, I am have a similar setup like you, Tarmac SL7 with ENVE 4.5 for flat and a Aethos with Alpinist, I could only keep two bikes at home. So I was struggling with selling my aethos and get a MOG or CRUX. After watching this, I Mae my mind, MOG is the one for me to replace aethos. Cheers.

[@walshman70]

I'd go Crux because I'm more interested in cyclocross racing and gravel riding as opposed to "adventure back packing". With the ENVE, I struggle to see the value. But, I guess if you have the cash and you want a "one bike solution..."

[@outdoorbros_]

That’s fair.

[@adunnthing]

Interesting review, and great to hear your opinion. I’ve not ridden the Mog but I do agree that it is more gravel focused compared to the Crux. I have both the 2020 and the 2022 Crux, and these are two very different bikes and I do race Cyclocross. The 2022 is a great cyclocross bike, and I’ve recently come back from a three day gravel event where it excelled, and so it’s also an amazing gravel bike. Now, would I use the crux for bike packing? The answer is no. Whereas is I owned a Mog then I probably would use it for bikepacking. The Crux, is a great Cyclocross bike which also great at gravel, and so on the scale of all out CX to all out gravel, the Crux would sit more to the left of that scale with the Mog more on the right, and both meeting in the middle. From what I’ve heard and read of the Mog, if you bought one, you wouldn’t be disappointed. Both are great bikes.

[@outdoorbros_]

Bingo! Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you!

[@carlgoetzinger6876]

As a starting note, I’m just learning about gravel bikes so my opinion means nothing. But that Mog is making me feel all sorts of fantastic things. I couldn’t complain either way but the Mog seems more so up my alley with versatility in mind. Both seem great but I lean Mog!

[@outdoorbros_]

It’s square in the middle of the gravel bike spectrum- great place to be.

[@marcowalther7867]

I went Crux 10r since its price ended the debate quickly for me. Both, the S-Works and the MOG are outrageously expensive. To some it might not matter though. For the MOG's price I would have liked to see a different color than that of my unassuming chinos. I was comparing the geos of both bikes and I wonder how different they ride as on paper they are super close.

[@outdoorbros_]

Yeah, the price point on SW and the MOG limit accessibility, no doubt. Both great bikes, just different tools for different jobs.

[@michaeleisl95]

Hey there! After watching loads of your videos I've decided to buy myself a Crux Pro in the 2024 colors. I'm gonna start it off as a road bike build with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS 2x12 Groupset, Zipp 303s wheels and Conti GP500 tires in 32mm width. What I want to know, whats the biggest tire width you can go with the Rival? I saw a video, in which you mentioned 43mm tires, so I ponder if it's no problem, to choose the 42mm Pathfinder Pro? Bc I also think to remember, you mentioned possible problems of the tire grinding the batteries of the groupset? I would love to hear your feedback on this! Best wishes, Mike

[@outdoorbros_]

Nice! You'll be stoked. I can't speak to Rival as I haven't ridden it, but I think you should be okay with 42mm Pathfinder tires. I have a Force FD and the tires clear.

[@michaeleisl95]

@@outdoorbros_ thanks a lot! Love your videos and your perspective on bikes and riding! Keep it up! 🫶

[@plain-bagel]

⁠@@michaeleisl95 Hey, did you try the rival 2x yet? I’m looking into a similar setup so interested in the clearance. If you did try it, did you use the regular or the wide BB and crank?

[@michaeleisl95]

@@plain-bagel yes and I love it! 😍 Tbh I haven't tried the 42mm Pathfinder Pro yet, only 32mm Conti GP5000 and it's such a blast! Especially on steep climbs and stuff... the bike is just my dream come true 😍😍😍

[@grantventer]

Was faced with the Crux or MOG debate to buy a few weeks ago. Then looked into the Factor Orstra Gravel and I must say after buying and riding the Factor im sold. One bike to do it all. Super fast on the road with road tyres an cracking on gravel.

[@outdoorbros_]

I’ve heard great things about the Ostro. Looks lightning fast!

[@adrianlehmann9993]

A good alternative to the Crux or Enve would be the brand Parapera, here Anemos or Atmos. Maybe you have the opportunity to test it.

[@outdoorbros_]

If I can get my hands on one, I'd love to.

[@ledoov]

Crux but only cause that's what i have. MOG looks interesting but is not a one bike quiver. Crux is a Road and Gravel eater.

[@outdoorbros_]

That’s it!

[@Lee-vs1yz]

You might be the only guy who can help me in fact! Frame size was against the tarmac, how does it compare? I have a 54cm SL7 S Works and can get my hands on a 54cm Mog for a good deal! Sadly can’t try before I buy Thanks in advance : )

[@gcanzano36]

As I begin to follow gravel racing at the professional level, I’m somewhat surprised to see the crux being almost entirely absent. Specialized riders on both men’s and women’s side seem to opt for the diverge pro.

[@plain-bagel]

I test rode a diverge last weekend for the first time, and was blown away by the ride. I thought it'd feel kinda sluggish and though that future shock would was a gimmick. I wasn't even considering it when I started my gravel bike search but it's thrown me for a loop; it felt totally awesome.

[@outdoorbros_]

Absent? It seems to be everywhere based on what I’m seeing.

[@outdoorbros_]

Nice!

[@patrickrenschler]

given that you spend a decent amount of time on the road, if you had to get rid of one which would you drop?

[@outdoorbros_]

If I were riding more road, I’d go with the crux. The MOG is very much a gravel bike and the Crux seems to straddle the gravel/all-road portion of the spectrum. Both great, but different tools for different jobs.

[@jaylansang9863]

Thinking of getting a M.O.G. Currently have an Open U.P. Would you sell the Open U.P for a M.O.G?

[@outdoorbros_]

Totally depends on what you’re riding and how you intend to use the bike.

[@HKRoad]

Hi - just want to ask about the set up on the MOG. Enve says it’s not compatible with SRAM 2x road cranksets. The spec sheet says you can only use the SRAM wide 2x set up - the problem with that is that the chainrings are 43/30. I wanted to run normal road sized chainrings. I tried to put normal on my MOG and the space between the small ring and the chain stays was minute. So how have you done this? I’d really love more normal gearing on my MOG. Thanks for any guidance.

[@outdoorbros_]

I did it, although I can’t say I checked the recommendations prior. I just pulled everything off the Melee and put it onto the MOG.

[@SplatteredWRX]

I wanna know your thought on the allied able!

[@outdoorbros_]

Haven’t ridden it! Looks awesome though.

[@garagesale5948]

The MOG has a shorter seattube, which should result in better dampening with a compliant carbon seatpost.

[@outdoorbros_]

Noted!

[@JFomo]

Just waiting for Specialized to bring out a Crux with intergrated cabling.

[@outdoorbros_]

Maybe in 2024!

[@JC-un4bg]

That will be an extra £3000

[@outdoorbros_]

@@JC-un4bg that’s the cost of aero in 2024.

[@duncanholman9034]

Everyone should checkout the Lauf Seigla rigid! 17.6lbs, Sram Red XPLR, carbon wheelset, carbon cockpit - $5,600 all-in and shipped direct to ya!!!

[@duncanholman9034]

Oh, and 1 spec down, it's 18lbs with Force XPLR groupset for $4,100. Insane value.

[@outdoorbros_]

That's a great value!

[@mxskier]

I know this isn't the topic of this video, but how is the Mog just not a slightly more expensive non-STR Diverge? The specs are just so similar.

[@outdoorbros_]

Hard to say- I haven’t ridden the STR. My guess is that the STR takes significantly more power to move and the road feel is even further down the spectrum.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

So I just bought the complete top spec Revolt for the same price as the Mog frameset.

[@outdoorbros_]

Nice! How do you like it?

[@petersouthernboy6327]

@@outdoorbros_ I like it very much. I was able to buy a ‘22 floor model last month for 28% off. It’s a brilliant bike with no major vices that I’ve noticed yet. Other than tires and a saddle I have no other upgrade plans.

[@DilbertMuc]

So I guess, the new Canyon Grail would be the best of all: extremely fast like Crux, versatile like the Mog, but at half price of both bikes. 🙂

[@sylwesterziewiec]

Whats your height?

[@outdoorbros_]

6'0

[@keyth_beck]

The red S schills never stop with the Porsche conflations, perhaps they should ask Porsche for license deal and pay up?

[@outdoorbros_]

Come again?

[@keyth_beck]

@@outdoorbros_ you know what it means

[@outdoorbros_]

@@keyth_beck are you anti S?

[@keyth_beck]

@@outdoorbros_ are you telling everyone that as a KZbin influencer you don't derive any benefit from "the red S" direct or indirect?- no financial benefit? no access to product benefit? no access to market intelligence? because if you do, that would really shine a light for all the brands you review and then discard to go back to "the red S" product

[@outdoorbros_]

@@keyth_beck that’s correct. I have zero affiliation with Specialized- I’ve covered this in a lot of comments over the years. Check out people who are the Specialized Ambassadors- those are the ones you should go after as the “KZbin Influencers.”

[@leonshanahan2189]

Mob vs Open upper?

[@outdoorbros_]

Depends on the use. Strictly gravel, MOG. Mixed with more road than gravel, Upper.

[@albertodsanchez100]

Mine is a diverge Sworks and I see it closer the Mog to the diverge than the Crux. Thinking about having a second gravel bike which one would you choose between these two ones..Crux or Mog..and why? Thanks 😀

[@brennansquad]

Prob crux tbh. Both nice tho

[@outdoorbros_]

I get it.

[@thecappy]

Maybe a 911 Dakar.

[@outdoorbros_]

Fair.