Specialized Crux | Featherweight Frame | Best Gravel Bikes Of 2024

The Crux gravel bike from Specialized is proof that you can have a gravel bike with road bike-inspired efficiency that’s still comfortable to ride on grueling days in the saddle. The frame dampens vibrations exceptionally well with clever chainstay technology, while the responsive geometry figures prioritize efficiency when it’s time to put the power down.

Gearhead® Experts Ian and Jono provide a detailed review about the Crux’s ride characteristics, and they show off their rad custom build. Make sure you watch to the end to see how much this bike weighs, it’s very impressive!

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Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro
0:34 – Specialized Bike Line
2:23 – Sizing & Geometry
3:08 – Frame Features
5:25 – Tire Clearance
6:47 – Colors & Build Options
9:00 – Climbing
10:36 – Descending
11:38 – Comparable Models
13:02 – Who's It For?
14:06 – Weigh In
15:00 – Outro

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[aaronedgeart]

Have last year's Crux, absolutely love it and am so glad I pulled the trigger on it. As a size 54 with 2" tires mounted, water bottle cages, computer mount and pedals, it weighs 17 pounds on the dot.

[daniels.]

Appeciate the 'universality' of it: BSA, Cabling, seatpost.
Like others, I'm hoping for the DSW soon.

[BikeLife]

Why is no one talking about the Crux DSW? I like the Carbon Crux but it's been out forever and is due a refresh. This discussion is years too late! The new Chisel DSW comes out and people are immediately talking about it. What's with that Specialized?

[ericbeech]

Just dropped off a dsw frame at the shop! Can't wait.

[JoePresentsWTF]

I have this colourway. The multicoloured speckling on the front of the frame looks very cool in person. Is also the best all round bicycle ever made.

[noels]

Appreciate the detailed review - just curious if any of the top-tier riders rode the Crux in the latest Unbound?

[AceMBP]

I heard about a company offering UDH adapter that would work on Crux.. haven't heard how it performs though...

[msapereable]

Can you use Shimano GRX groupset on it, particularly the double chainring setup?

[UltraDM.]

Love it, I’ve an Aethos in 54 which is a great fit, but thinking the 52 in the crux will work as it’s a higher stand over and seat tube length . 5-8 for reference longer in upper body . What do you think . .

[drakelenker]

I was just curious if you had an opinion for a do-it-all bike. I ride a Specialized Stumpy MTB rider. I am looking for a road bike with gravel capabilities Roubaix or Crux. I know the tire clearance is one of the largest differences. I plan on riding 80% road/20% gravel with maybe one road race and on grave race per year. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[timc]

I just picked up a 2024 crux. I have two wheelsets to ride road and gravel and it is awesome. Does anyone know of a great fitting frame bag that leaves the bottle cages accessible? I have a 54cm frame

[miked]

Love this frame but can you use a mechanical 1x10 or just electronic?
Thanks

[COMOMTB]

I was not aware you could run standard (non wide) cranks on this bike. Does this create any other issues besides running a smaller chainring?

[mckowals]

One of the reviewers is my height at 5’ 9” and the 54 size worked for him. I have a 2018 Roubaix that is 56 cm and fits me well. I’m in the market for a gravel bike and imagine the Crux geometry is different, but would a 54 be too small?

[tylerboylehoban]

What handlebars did you use for this build?

[sapiens]

I like Specialized however I think there way overpriced. The Crux DSW is $4000 with an entry level SRAM Apex XPLR $1800 bucks and cheap DT G540 Wheels few hundred bucks. For $4000 alloy frame I’d want a mid level groupset and premium wheels

[tonyg]

Why would one buy a Crux when there are the Diverge on one hand and the Roubaix on the other?

[kendarcie]

How can this be so light for gravel? Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[Nwrig]

Skip this go with the DSW and you get a classy Black and Matte White decal frame. I’ve never understood why specialized offers this spec in such a painful color way. The DSW is aluminum and easy to repaint after a season of gravel (if you are that type of person)

The 12R carbon is great but the DSW weight and price is for the masses. If you make money riding a bike go with the S-Works if you are the 99.5% of riders do not 😎

[mortlow]

I have ridden the new 5300€ canyon crai and it was -wowl… Sram xplr. Intern cables, zipp 303 firecrest.8 kg and very comfy but stiff fast frame. I mean half the price and no big difference …mmh