Review of the new Specialized Crux Expert

With the new Crux, Specialized offers a fast, light, comfortable, and responsive bike, born from the brand’s experience in both road and cyclocross, for the best of gravel, here in “hurried” mode. For a new form of versatility, as we were able to observe with the test of this Expert version, already high-end at €6000. Pleasure guaranteed.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Alex Broadway – Billy Ceusters

Until now, the Crux was Specialized’s dedicated cyclocross bike, a demanding and spectacular discipline, but not well-suited to the general public. Yet, it was with cyclocross bikes that gravel riding was born, with mixed-terrain courses tackled at a good pace. In recent years, manufacturers have created specific models for this new discipline, first by expanding the range of available gear ratios, then tire widths (whereas in pure cyclocross, the maximum allowed width is 33 mm), as well as by modifying bike geometry to promote stability in difficult conditions. Finally, most of today’s gravel bikes also meet adventure needs and are used for very long distances or bikepacking, which explains the presence of mounting points for fenders, lighting, or other transport solutions.

All of this corresponds to the direction Specialized took with the Diverge, released just before the pandemic in 2020. A very versatile bike, at ease over long distances but also on very rough terrain, close to what is practiced in mountain biking (at least outside of very committed terrain). But since then, the American brand has also launched the Aethos, an ultra-light road bike, which returns to the very essence of pleasure for many riders, with an airy, easy, and responsive ride. With the new Crux, Specialized thus wanted to create a synthesis of these worlds that are both very close and very different. For a bike that combines, on paper, the best of all three approaches, and which is now used by world-class cyclocross racers, but which is also intended for those who simply want to race their friends on trails on the weekend, without ruling out a few excursions on the asphalt.

And since nature abhors a vacuum, the new Crux is thus perfectly suited to competitive gravel riding. Because yes, competitions are starting to emerge in this discipline, which initially brought together riders who were rather outside the usual framework of traditional riding, and motivated above all by adventure and discovery. In 2022, an UCI Gravel World Championship should see the light of day, even if its format is not yet known. And when it comes to fighting against the clock, the argument of light weight, as here, is often irrefutable.

The Crux: an ultra-light frame

On the new Crux, Specialized applies the Aethos recipe, with an ultra-light frame, announced at 725 g in size 54 for the S-Works version with Fact 12r carbon fibers, and 825 g for the version with Fact 10r fibers, as for our test bike. This is a weight equivalent to the best road productions on the market, and barely higher than that of the Aethos, for a model intended for off-road. For comparison, the Diverge frame approaches 1000 g. This weight gain is achieved through the size and shape of the tubes. Specialized even states that the shape of a tube is responsible for 80% of its stiffness, regardless of the carbon layers and the type and orientation of the fibers, and that for the Crux, the subtly rounded (but not entirely when looking closely) but reasonably sized sections allow for the right compromise between stiffness and weight savings. Note that the Crux, regardless of its version, is not recommended for cyclists over 125 kg.

To go further in this philosophy, the Crux no longer benefits from an integrated seatpost clamp unlike the previous version, and cockpit integration is irrelevant here. Similarly, while it has three locations for attaching bottle cages (with an additional location under the down tube compared to a traditional road bike), it does not benefit from a Swat Box for storage in the down tube like on the Diverge, nor from mounting points for racks or lighting on the frame and fork. The Crux also does not benefit from the Future Shock 2.0 suspension system, and instead relies on the shape and section of the tubes to provide comfort by absorbing shocks, and of course on the tire width.

In terms of geometry, the Crux also differs from the Diverge, with a less pronounced wheelbase, a slightly raised bottom bracket shell, but a slightly longer reach. The idea here is to emphasize maneuverability compared to a long-distance gravel bike, without disturbing stability. The Crux must be able to navigate slippery off-camber sections, jump planks, turn on a dime between two trees, while remaining stable at high speed downhill, jumping over ruts. As a result, in a production version without any component modification, it provides a sporty but natural position, and is extremely reassuring in technical sections despite the so-called “race” handlebar.

The Crux presents itself as a light and refined cyclocross bike, but with wider tire clearance, with the same capabilities as the Diverge, accepting tires up to 47 mm wide with 700c wheels, or even 2:1 with 650b wheels. These widths obviously greatly influence the bike’s off-road capabilities and grip, and make this cyclocross bike, at its core, much less precise to ride than with 33 mm tires.

Single chainring takes center stage

The frame is compatible with electronic or mechanical drivetrains, and with single or double chainrings. However, it is not possible to mount a mechanical double. On the Crux, Specialized chooses to offer only models with Sram single chainrings, like our Crux Expert test bike with Sram Rival eTap AXS and XPLR technology, and Roval Terra C wheels at €6000. The Sram XPLR offers an intermediate drivetrain between road and mountain bike, with specific components for a 12-speed 10-44 tooth cassette, here paired with a 40-tooth chainring (but available from 38 to 46 teeth). This cassette offers a wide range of gears.

The simplicity of shifting with a single chainring and the ergonomics of the Sram Rival AXS levers are highly appreciated off-road, in mud, sand, or even in successive technical sections. There are still some gaps in the range, noticeable at the bottom and middle of the cassette when riding at a good pace on trails, or when venturing onto the road. Fortunately, a 10-36 cassette is also compatible with this drivetrain, for a more dynamic cyclocross use than gravel, or for the more athletic among us.

On the Crux Expert, the rest of the equipment consists of a Specialized Adventure Gear cockpit with very reasonable height and reach, as well as a 12° flare in the drops, for more comfort and control. There’s also a Power Expert saddle, a Roval Terra carbon seatpost, and Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2DBR 700×38 tires, with a mixed tread pattern that favors rolling sections. With carbon wheels weighing only 1610 g, the complete bike weighs only 8 kg (without pedals), which is particularly impressive for an off-road bike that is lively, nimble, and comfortable.

The new Crux range is completed by a Pro model with a Sram Force eTap AXS groupset and Roval Terra CL wheels at €8000, an S-Works model at €12,200 with Sram Red eTap AXS and Roval Terra CLX wheels (7.2 kg), and a Comp model with Sram Rival 11-speed and DT Swiss aluminum wheels at €4000. Note that the test model here is an Expert, but with the Comp’s paint scheme, which has no impact on the bike’s performance, of course. Frame kits are available at €3000 (Fact 10r carbon) and €4500 (Fact 12r carbon). These prices are high in absolute terms, but on the trail, the Crux Expert demonstrates that it is not necessary to choose the most expensive bike to have fun, combining performance and ease of use.

The Crux, or a new form of versatility

The Specialized Crux is immediately appreciated thanks to the natural position it offers, favoring both sportiness and maneuverability. The cockpit is positioned low enough to feel very close to a road bike, which is an advantage when pushing the machine on roads and trails, with the back, lower back, and arms finding familiar support points. But the ergonomics of the cockpit inspire confidence, and the brakes and derailleur levers are easily accessible even when focused on the trail.

On well-packed trails, the overall efficiency is excellent, with tires that offer little rolling resistance, despite their 38 mm width and inflation below 2 bar. Out of the saddle, a slight pumping effect is felt, but it remains in the spirit of the bike, which proves lively, dynamic, reptilian, and conforms to the irregularities of the terrain to allow you to maintain a fast and energetic pace. Only on cobblestones, with the sustained and regular jolts they impose, does the Crux not completely compensate for the rider’s lack of technique. It absorbs vibrations very well, but to truly make a difference on this type of surface, you need to know how to ride fast while remaining very relaxed in the upper body.

On dry terrain, our riding companions, some of whom are equipped with 42 mm tires with a more aggressive tread, cannot drop us in the corners. The curves flow ideally, and it is rare to feel one wheel or the other drift slightly, even when leaning into the turn. In wet conditions, more aggressive tires obviously have the advantage, but it is the tire width that primarily brings the most versatility to the bike. On this type of machine, do not hesitate to go up to 42, 45, or even 47 mm to be sure to go everywhere, and have more grip and hold on the trail, over rocks, roots, or in the mud.

On wide forest paths, the Crux as offered here is faster than any off-road machine propelled by muscle power alone.

Nevertheless, on wide forest paths, the Crux as offered here is faster than any off-road machine propelled by muscle power alone. On the flat, on descents and especially on ascents, it gains an advantage thanks to its rolling qualities and its light weight, which alone changes all the benchmarks for the occasional off-road cyclist that we are. On ascents, the available gears and the raised bottom bracket shell allow it to clear obstacles, such as roots and small steps, without it rearing up or losing traction. Only the most technical and rough descents make it fall behind a mountain bike. Not to mention jumps, which are obviously irrelevant here.

Back on the road, the Crux performs honorably, even with its large tires. Only on slightly aggressive out-of-the-saddle sections does it feel a bit bouncy and lose some precision, but that’s primarily a matter of tire pressure. There’s no doubt that equipped with 28 or 30 mm road tires, this bike could be an ideal companion, in the vein of the Aethos, whose DNA it shares. The Crux is easy, the frame is lively, and its behavior could almost be described as ubiquitous, as it adapts to so many different situations.

With this bike, Specialized invents a new form of versatility. We already knew about gravel bikes designed for adventure, equipped with bags or lighting to cross Europe in a few days or to ride on towpaths. The Crux emphasizes lightness, efficiency, ease, and allows you to go anywhere, but in a lively and sporty way, without having to exhaust yourself on the road to reach our favorite playground. Gravel, cyclocross, or road, it can do it all. In this Expert version, at €6000 nonetheless, it has many assets that make it a balanced machine, and highly desirable at a time when we increasingly dream of straying from the usual roads.

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