Specialized Crux vs Aethos: What You Need to Know

Should you get the new Specialized Crux, the Specialized Aethos, or both? Are these bikes too similar to fit in your quiver? Do they both work as one-bike solutions?

We’ll dive into the differences and similarities between the 2022 Specialized Crux and 2022 Specialized Aethos.

Gear I’m Riding and Into (updated 10/2023) ↓↓↓
*Some of these are affiliate links

Instagram: @outdoorbros_

Crux Videos:

Aethos Video:

Helpful Aethos info:

Crux info:

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
0:18 Experience with Crux and Aethos
1:20 The Basics
1:40 Crux Build: Overview
2:51 Aethos Build: Overview
4:23 Crux and Aethos: Weight
5:14 Weight: Aethos
6:16 Weight: Crux
6:49 Aesthetics: Crux
7:45 Aesthetics: Aethos
8:50 Ride Experience, Crux: Gravel
10:47 Ride Experience, Crux: Road
12:00 Ride Experience, Aethos: Road
13:23 Ride Experience, Aethos: Gravel
14:27 Which is Best for You?
15:02 Crux and Aethos: Room for Two?
15:28 One Bike? Crux is Greater than Aethos
15:59 Aethos or Crux, Both Great

[Yaharrrr]

Thank you so much for your efforts and time spent.

[tpawlicki]

Loved the comparison video. I also built a gravel frame with a road/offroad mode this year. Its so pleasurable to ride that I rarely grab my 6.7kg road bike. The road bike is only for short punchy rides where I plan on riding as fast as possible.

[iansmith]

Great commentary. Makes so much sense.

[alde]

You the first one to compare the 2. Like all your contents on this channel.

[samchuck]

Thanks for the great video. Made up my mind, its a Crux for me for a one bike solution at my vacation home. My home use Roubaix seems like a nice complement.

[nicolimchoc]

Thanks for this brother! A good review for both and very enlightening! Now, just have to wait for my lbs to have the crux 😂

[ciprian]

excellent content, very helpful and informativ

[luisamaya]

Never taught I would hear KO2 in a bike review 😄. Great review!

[alejandrogonzalezdelgado]

Great content. I’ve seen like 4 of your videos in a row, YouTube just redirected me knowing these two are kind of my dream bikes, and in the same coloro/build you have em.
I have been using a gravel bike as a do it all for more than a year and they do pretty well. I bought a road bike again (TCR) like a month ago and there’s obviously a difference, but gravel bikes work for that function in an amateur level as well with a second wheel set. Nonetheless, either a Crux or an Aethos will be mine someday.

[bravopapa]

Completely agree w/ everything you said. Truly on the money. I have left you comments in the past.. I have both bikes.. absolutely love them. If i didnt have the luxury to having both bikes. Or if had the crux first. Might not have the Aethos. But its nice having both. While @ home One ready for road, & one ready for grAvel.. but for travel its the crux all the way.. just put the aethos in the work stand and grab its wheels. And away weeee go..
Great Video..

[shimona]

Thank you so much for your videos and comparisons. Considered between Tarmac SL7, Crux and an Aethos, in a situation where I ride my old rim brake gravel bike 95% on the road with slicks.

Went with Aethos, 105 Di2 Comp build. Can't wait for it to get here!

[jasocaz]

Solid videos dude. Have you ever owned a Ti gravel bike? Wondering how a fast carbon bike like the Crux compares to something like a Moots.

[murstoeger]

Thank you for that great video, I really enjoyed it. What do you think of the Specialized Roubaix (I'm looking into the comp sram rival etap vs the Canyon Endurace...)?

[AndrewTocco]

Amazing review. Do you happen to have a link to the rear cassette you uograded too? I cant find it online.

[xjdion]

Hey man! Love the videos. You sold me on the Crux. I'm ready to pull the trigger, but the only model available is the Comp in my area. All models are all the same frame. I think I will just take it and upgrade it. What do you think? Should I wait 1 year or 2 year to get the Pro? Thanks

[emauric]

hello from Sweden, great videos, like a lot your content, thanks ! question aside, I am curious on what pedals do you use with the Crux and Aethos ?

[fredrikbreyer]

Hi guys, love the video and it gave me a lot of answers. But I am a u23 cyclocross rider who is looking to change out two cx bikes and I´m wondering if i could buy a Crux and a Aethos, and use the Aethos for road races and road rides, yet stil have if in the pit with 33mm(31mm) cx tires for cx races? or if you would rather recommend having two Crux and building one of them more road specific for road races?

[juanfersan]

Thanks for doing this; still dont know what to do :) haha

[lamarkbrim]

Great video. I believe that you mentioned that the Cervelo Aspero was more of a bike pack gravel bike but this is incorrect. There are no fender or fork mounts on it. The Aspero is meant to go fast as the Crux. The Aspero does have a slightly longer wheelbase than my (3) S-Works Tarmac, Venge, and Roubaix. I’m not sure about the wheelbase of the Crux compared to the 3 bikes mentioned. Can you share this comparison? Thanks, again great video as you got me now thinking about an Aethos!

[magicsork]

Very interesting video. Question? Who is more confortable bike on road with same tyres?