Why this is the Best Gravel Bike

[@outdoorbros_]

What’s the best gravel setup for local terrain? 👇🏻

[@thedownunderverse]

XT (if flat bar) or GRX (if drop bar) 1x11….. 40x11-44

[@tmayberry7559]

Or 48 /38 x 11x44 that's the ultimate setup for me best of both worlds 😁

[@diegoeleazar9154]

Fork suspension for me. Cant live without it now 😅

[@3TZZZ]

40 x 10-52 SRAM mullet for road / gravel long course reality in the hills! 32 x 10-52 SRAMGRX mechanical Mullet for loaded adventure bike packing.

[@mfa81]

Riding 2.1 thunder burts on my MOG with AG25 and Tufo Speedero 44 on my 3.5s and it’s a great setup! Went T-Type since no xplr at the time, switching between a 44 or 46 chainring! Likely would go xplr if I was doing it again!

[@3TZZZ]

Surprise surprise! A gravel bike is a gravel bike! …even if it costs $19K! ...and yet three weeks ago in another video you said "the best gravel bike is probably a mountain bike". …huh? Good to see you’ve come back around. Interestingly, Specialized Crux is virtually the same geometry as my original Cervelo Aspero, which I’ve been riding for five years and which cost less than a quarter of the price of this Crux. Both are awesome gravel race bikes, which have always been best with 40mm gravel tyres and excellent road bikes with 32mm road tyres. …Next video, just go back to your original Cervelo Aspero! 😇 Numerous pro gravel riders are now using 29er/50mm mtb tyres on their race bikes, depending on the course. But for most of us mere mortals 29er mtb tyres are too heavy on fast gravel bikes IMO. My ideal gravel tyre width is 40-42mm. ...50mm+ mtb tyres are brilliant however for adventure bikepacking.

[@manabiker]

Speaking of tires, If you ride in snow, especially snowpacked roads, the Specialized Sawtooth 42/45mm grips like its made from octopi,, uphill/downhill, I've ridden it since 2017 in winter.

[@gearsofmedicine]

17lbs for Crux 2024 UDFH, Crux sworks 2023 is 15lbs - excellent video / awesome bike and items to think about and optimize.

[@gooutanddogreatthings]

Crux with DuraAce/Ultegra 52/34 chainrings and 11/34 cassette with GRX RD and aero handlebars can be jack of all trades, master of some

[@brookscurran]

2x isn't the answer for proper rough gravel

[@gregmorrison7320]

@@brookscurran Why not?

[@brookscurran]

@@gregmorrison7320 all of the same reasons mountain bikes ditched 2x

[@svt_vnenoso]

@@gregmorrison7320 *hill w/ a 24-degree grade and loose gravel/sand enters chat*

[@swizzeyyy]

@@brookscurrannot with that gearing, but why not ? GRX 2x is a thing …

[@stephenmorris6202]

Excellent and informative, as ever.

[@Nick-cs5yc]

You’re videos are most informative 👍👍👍👍👍

[@stihldavebergen3469]

My perfect gravel bike is the one in my arsenal, a 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL5, that Specialized looks like a sweet ride though

[@mister_ray]

Just a matter of time before Specialized has an aero SL8 gravel bike.

[@racittaj]

It already exist. Its called Roubaix SL8

[@MikeHatam]

Love your videos, look forward to them! I think this must be a 2025 Crux frameset, right? Because the 2024 version doesn't have UDH.

[@JoelWhite]

Awaiting your thoughts on those Enve Hex tires. I've run Challenge Getaway XPs, Pathfinder Pros, SWorks Pathfinders, Conti Terra Speed and a few others on my Crux but those tires are of interest to me as a Winter / Spring tire for Colorado riding.

[@hunteraaa2666]

Watched many of your videos and I’m now a happy owner of a crux 10r with red 13 speed group. With everything it weighs in at 7.9 kg. Rides really good and very capable with 40mm tyre.

[@ProWeAreSo]

lol why are people hating on the price? Do some of these viewers not know about S-Works 😂😂?? Fantastic video. Considering making the crux (lower level) my next bike

[@outdoorbros_]

Thanks a ton!

[@K9Manhunters]

Great video! Totally agree with you. I am i awe, when I hear you can run a 46T chainring😮 I swapped my 40 for a 38 and next upgrade will be a 10-51 cassette😅 I also found that on offroad rides with a gravel bike, there is no shame in walking😂

[@rowanRobaggs]

Best gravel setup…10 minutes later.. buys new crux and changes tyres.. Now this is the best gravel bike ever! 😂 Dude I love tweaking bikes but the amount videos you have made like this is nuts. Keep it up 👍

[@StevenStephens-ql1yo]

Glad to hear 42mm H.B. for gravel bike I am tired of the areo hype of going narrow bars for races. I want a Crux but the stack is so low compared to other brands I ride. Be nice if Specialized would make the geo similar to the diverge and have the same nimbleness of the Crux.

[@Gufolicious]

you cant have the cake and eat it

[@oceanzmat]

yoga

[@ginomordocco4710]

I am really considering the Crux. My diverge is just too heavy. What are your thoughts on the new Crux DSW? I can run 47 tires on it.

[@barryliu3473]

You can run more than that lol-im trying out 29 2.2 with around 2.5mm clearance

[@konstantinschraps2536]

Just ordered my dsw and I am extremely happy. It is the perfect sweet spot regarding price, feel and versatility 👌👌

[@ian_pedalz]

Why not lower rolling resistance and get a better wheelset. Frame weight doesn’t really make all to much of a difference over long rides and that diverge is a much nicer riding frame!

[@swizzeyyy]

@@ian_pedalzrolling resistance is in the tires, not the wheelset

[@ian_pedalz]

@@swizzeyyyrolling resistance is in both tires and wheels. Rotational mass and rolling resistance are directly proportional, meaning as mass increases, so does rolling resistance. Mass effects on gravity also increase with changes in gradient. You need to factor rolling resistance force, coefficient of rolling resistance and weight together. Most modern gravel tires are fairly Efficient but put a heavy wheelset on a bike and start climbing and rate of perceived exertion goes up drastically. Decrease rotational mass by 200grams per wheel and output decreases significantly.

[@macdaddy1617]

Did you need a spacer to fit the 46 ring in or was just adding to stock?

[@stefanodirector]

Always useful, to get your perspective, thanks. I may have missed with happened to the Enve Fray, did you get rid of it?

[@NicolasAllaire]

hey! why did you change the seatpost from the Specialized one?

[@MikeHatam]

I don't see Enve Fray listed on your "Gear I'm Riding" list. Did you decide to move on from that project? I'm loving mine.

[@s3cr3td00rindar00m]

Because is not a gravel bike init

[@theendofyourturn]

Thanks for the thorough review! How tall are you? Inseam?

[@bazejponoc2058]

I join the question 🙂

[@mfa81]

How do you feel the xplr clutch on single track? That’s one of the reasons I’m a bit skeptical maybe changing from xxsl to xplr since mtb clutch isnor used to be a lot stronger to keep the chain where it’s supposed to be

[@kevinbetters]

What model is your out front computer mount, including a light mount? Great review and channel! I love my Crux, and plan to switch to a 1x Xplr groupset soon.

[@jimmymarcusmunk4848]

I wish all the brands would give us more XPLR 13 speed options for both road and gravel bikes. There's so many 12 speed options, but so few come with the 13 speed. Have to custom build.

[@frankboyer1490]

Just wait for the 18 speed just around the corner. It'll make the 13 speed obsolete.

[@budlacombe]

Why not a Roubaix 🤔

[@oceanzmat]

Why not both

[@samd6405]

Tire clearance?…and Robaux can’t compete with the weight of the s-works crux.

[@andreasfriedrichs]

@@samd6405Roubaix has 40mm clearance. And weight is approx only +200g more for Future Shock damper system.

[@samd6405]

⁠@@andreasfriedrichswhat advantage does the Roubaix offer? It’s heavier, less tire clearance…is considered an all road bike not a gravel bike. Future shock? One more proprietary device to maintain.

[@jakew8553]

Would love to see a video of local CA gravel trails you ride. Love the content, much love

[@mfa81]

How’s the Fray currently setup now? I have mine on sram red 2x with corsa pro 34s

[@nuttynut722]

do you ever worn out a pair of tyre?

[@notgibrein6213]

have you ever tried a size down for the crux, i think it will look agressive with your measures!

[@akcalder92]

Your OG Crux got me on one. Which out front mount do you use? Just curious, did you keep the Frey?

[@walterlippmann4361]

Too expensive

[@grumpytex1970]

Agree, ridiculous. Taking the piss.

[@LGBhull]

lol broke ass

[@swizzeyyy]

You know there’s different tiers to this bike… and even an alloy version.

[@One_mole_worth]

It's the best, not the best bang for the buck. The best is never cheap.

[@jeffoberry144]

Price is irrelevant.

[@gregmorrison7320]

Jack of all trades, master of gravel I would say. And yes, I have two MTB's, the gravel bike is faster and better for gravel. Have you tried a Red Shift Shockstop Suspension stem?

[@alexd.8689]

Where did you get this black colour sworks crux

[@dyzioczarownik9432]

Warranty replacement framesets are painted like that ;)

[@FoltaG60]

Try Rene Herse in 48 and you never want other tires again 😉

[@HKRoad]

I love that tire also.

[@mikecardwell6497]

Great bike , but it needs to fit 2.2 race kings. Then I am in.

[@outdoorbros_]

Those seem to be the large gravel tire of choice.

[@2_Pedals]

Raise your hand if you can afford a bike like this and tell me how much faster it makes you. Because I can’t 😂

[@PolyglotBikepacker]

Don't let yourself be put down by all this bling. Ride the bike you have 🎉

[@evanm.2300]

Lol, those cageless xtrs barley give support. U need the caged ones and maybe a shoe with a tiny bit of flex to hug the pedal more

[@vc1954]

Jesus christ, that stem! Can someone tell me what the point of such a stem is? Literally, just want to know

[@wayneclement7201]

If you want to keep that 46t top end but still climb with MTB tyres have you considered an Oval 44t chainring?

[@dyzioczarownik9432]

Crux frameset is soooo boring in terms of geometry. I've been ridding Flanders Forte, size 54 before. This year I bought crux frameset (S-works) and I'm disappointed. Yes, this frameset is very light, but other than that it is just average.

[@rnodeprot]

56 crux vs L Forte has same head tube angle, same chainstay length, half a degree diff in seat angle, 4mm diff in stack, 6mm diff in wheelbase.

[@teamredog2961]

Dream bike! Just waiting for trickle down now. Wondering when a XPLR 13 Force will come out?

[@PhiLoSoPheR_NonSenSe]

I'd like your knowledge on whether there's a 2x crankset which will fit into the ecosystem of the new SRAM Red XPLR. My personal reason for a crankset with more chainrings is the instant jump into speed or torque with any sprocket. This gives me time to finely tune my cadence. SRAM's new Red XPLR makes the 1x system more appealing to me. Aside some MTBs, any bike with a small chainring was a huge turn off for me, not to mention how the chain will have to twist to meet every gear. I think I'll soon be able to live with 1x. Also, for tyres, for me, I'd prefer a wider front tyre than the rear mostly if not equal widths. The front tyres could be the difference between a smooth turn and a crash. For the rear, a stronger tyre to withstand abuse for miles and kilometres whilst light enough to dodge greater rolling mass. In a way, just gave some hints into my dream bike...😅 Thanks for your research, knowledge and experience.

[@marcmyers3034]

pay that much for that bike and they can't even route the cables internaly

[@rnodeprot]

Quite a few of us don't want that. Integrated stinks if you travel a lot with your bike or like to try new stem/bar setups.

[@riderrunco]

Frames the weak link

[@timehoc]

The subaru outback of bikes

[@altermode]

You mean Subaru Forester 😂 j/k ❤

[@2_Pedals]

Except the the Subaru is cheaper 😂

[@steveoc64]

Looks nice, good job My ultimate gravel machine is a bit heavier.. and back to basics. No computers, no hydraulics, nothing expensive. Just a fun bike to pick up and ride in all weather, to anywhere.. and no problem if it gets a scratch

[@davidwargin1766]

I’ve owned two crux bikes - miss them both.

[@tmayberry7559]

I owned a specialized stumper jumper hard tail. Lightest hard tail I ever had😢😞 I sure miss that bike. 😞 You don't know a good thing until it's gone😞😭😭

[@GT-sc5sk]

hahah what a BS...buy ALU Diverge for 1/8 of the price and you are good enough...who the f. need 9.000eur gravel bike

[@jeffoberry144]

Good enough for you… lol

[@GT-sc5sk]

@ and it should be for anyone..prove me wrong

[@williammorris4419]

I cringe whenever anyone uses the term "the best ______"(whatever). In the case of gravel bikes, the huge variety of terrain that people refer to as "gravel" ensures there is no one bike that is the "best gravel bike". Gravel courses will demand changes, refinements, component swaps, and even bike swaps for truly competitive racing. Last September, I raced a small local gravel race in Colorado on my full suspension mountain bike and won the overall, finishing ahead of some pretty expensive high end gravel bikes, which couldn't keep up with descent speed I was able to do on the second half of the rough dirt and gravel course. At the world gravel championships in Europe about a month ago featuring what many considered to be a a very tame , smooth gravel course with a finish on tarmac, many riders were on road bikes equipped with 38mm width tires. At Unbound Gravel, a race internationally famous with many of the best gravel riders on the planet attending, the fastest riders this year were using bikes with mountain bike tire clearance capabilities and running up to 2.2mm width mountain bike tires equipped with aero wheelsets! The winner, Lachlon Morton, had a mountain bike 2.10 tire on the front, and a 40mm tire on his rear wheel. At some races, a hardtail mountain bike with taller gearing is the fastest rig. Bike manufacturers are building some bikes with mountain bike tire clearance and slacker head angles while some are building gravel bikes that resemble cyclocross geometry, and others are building very close to traditional road racing geometry. Most are working on widening tire clearance to accommodate wider tires for the variety of courses their buyers will be encountering. They are all shouting their brands are the "best" and meanwhile in their R&D labs, they are experimenting with all kinds of variants. Don't listen to the noise..

[@diegoeleazar9154]

Do it all bike sucks!!! Always holds you down.

[@wheatonrunner69]

How much frame clearance is there with the MTB tire? Do you have mud clearance concerns? I haven't seen anyone talk about how much room the crux fame supports and I'm super curious to try that MTB tire setup.