The new Specialized Crux Ultralight and yet versatile?!

Product news: The US manufacturer Specialized is around the corner with a new gravel bike. We're talking about the new Specialized Crux. The name may already be known to many, but the model has been completely revised and the area of application has also changed in a certain way. Because while the last generation of the Crux was still fully designed for cyclocross, the latest Crux models should now belong to the category of gravel bikes. However, one thing is clear at first glance, the Specialized Crux has not lost its sporty character and snappy handling characteristics.

A good 1,5 years ago, Specialized presented their most up-to-date gravel bike, the Diverge. With a setup suitable for touring, plenty of tire clearance, mounts for luggage racks, bags and equipment and lots of versatility, the Diverge is one of the most popular gravel bikes out there. So why bring an additional bike onto the market in the gravel sector with the Specialized Crux. The answer is obvious, because gravelling is extremely complex and difficult to define to this day. Of course, a versatile gravel bike has a lot of advantages, but it also leaves a few percent here and there in terms of speed and sportiness. This is exactly where the new Crux is supposed to hit, because designed as a thoroughbred CX racer, the latest model adopts some sporty features and fully converts them to gravel use. Because the mixture of ultra-lightweight construction and large tire clearance is currently still missing. So if, like many others, you are looking for pure riding fun, responsiveness and lightness, you will be more than happy with the extremely light Crux.

https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2020/05/specialized-diverge-gravelbike-neu-test/

The new Specialized Crux Gravelbike - ultra-light announcement?!

Ultra-light, this word describes the new Specialized Crux quite well, because with just 725 grams for the S-Works 12r frame and 825 grams for the 10r Base frame, there is nothing to be desired when it comes to weight. The complete bikes weigh the following: S-Works – 7,25 kg/Pro – 7,6 kg/Expert – 8,1 kg/Comp – 8,5 kg

The same technology that was used to develop the Aethos frame was used to achieve this weight. This means that the new Crux should clearly be one of the climbing specialists on gravel and can also be easily accelerated at any time.

“How the top tube tapers in, the down tube tapers off, from the bend in the head tube to the bottom bracket composition: if the shape supports the frame, it does without superfluous layers of reinforcement. With that alone we were able to save 150 grams of material.” – Peter Denk

A low weight doesn't really help much, especially in the gravel area, if the bike isn't suitable for the job. For this, they have paid particular attention to the critical points on the fork and rear triangle in order to be able to offer more tire clearance and thus more options. With a width of up to 2,1″ or 47mm, the Specialized Crux can easily handle it and thus offers real off-road suitability and sufficient comfort despite its lightweight construction.

“We knew that an ultra-light bike with that much tire clearance would be a breakthrough in terms of gravel performance. With Aethos technology, that dream became a reality – and the new crux.” – Stewart Thompson

Despite its ultra-light construction, the Crux should not lose any stiffness or robustness. It passed the same gravel safety and stress tests as the Diverge with flying colors and, according to its own statements, even exceeded expectations in some cases.

The new Specialized Crux - performance-oriented gravel geometry

Since the roots lie in the cyclocross area, it is clear that sportiness can also be expected from the latest generation of the Crux. With a performance-oriented Gravel geometry, the aim is to give the rider the feeling of being in the middle of the bike instead of just sitting on it. This should lead to a perfect unity of precision and control between bike and rider. The 10 mm longer reach with a shorter stem guarantees an ideally balanced weight distribution without overhang, yet with a sporty, aggressive deep stack. Another special feature is the 72 mm bottom bracket for an optimal center of gravity and tight, fast corners.

The new Specialized Crux - Tested by professionals

Ridden, jumped, pushed to the limit and approved: The Crux has been tested worldwide by top athletes and occasional gravel riders. And cut a good figure between barrier tapes, crash barriers, mountain flanks as well as bushes and trees - and there have already been one or two podium places.

The Crux models at a glance

All Crux complete bikes are equipped with 1x SRAM drives as standard, but are fully compatible with 2x drives. Like the Aethos, the Crux also has an FD mount and is compatible with 2x GRX groupsets and eTap drives. However, due to the position of the chainstay and FD mount, it is incompatible with mechanical 2x drivetrains and some 2x road bike configurations.