Time to Buy or Wait? The Beloved Specialized Crux

The Specialized Crux has been a standout in the gravel world since its release in 2021, but with 2025 upon us, is it still worth buying? In this video, I dive into why I think the Crux is still one of the best gravel bikes, its unmatched versatility, and what might be on the horizon for a new Crux.

In this video, we'll cover:
The Crux’s lightweight frame (725 grams!) and how it stacks up against competitors like the Enve MOG and Cervelo Aspero 5.
Handling and performance that make it a joy to ride on gravel and on the road.
My current Crux setup and why I’ve stuck with it through years of testing different tires, wheels, and drivetrains.
If you’re deciding whether to buy now or wait for the next Crux, this video breaks it all down. Let me know in the comments if you’re team aero or a traditionalist!

Gear I’m Riding and Into ↓↓↓

Nutrition ↓↓↓

Camera Equipment ↓↓↓
*Some of these are affiliate links with a small commission.

00:00 Intro
00:32 Aesthetics: Aero vs Traditional
01:08 Aero in Gravel
01:35 Weight
02:03 Hola Adios Ad
02:34 Handling + Performance
03:31 On-Road Performance
04:27 Custom Crux Build
05:29 Where Does it Stand in 2025?
06:04 Buy Now
06:24 Reduced Pricing
06:55 Era of Simplicity
07:18 You Know I Like the Crux
07:44 Up Next: Bike 3 of 3

[outdoorbros_]

Team Aero or Team Tradition? Predictions for the new Crux? 👇🏻

[bobtilton]

Your passion for the Crux is contagious!

[joemiller]

We got a Crux refresh last year - they updated the frame to use UDH. The discounted versions you see on their website are the non-UDH versions.

[adunnthing]

Currently I'm a traditionalist, I own both a Crux and Aethos, both are custom builds. I've had Aero bikes in the past, and to be honest I am happier now than I was. Part of this is because I can service the bike more easily, travelling with the bikes overseas is easier, and overall they feel more comfortable. Most recently I've gone from riding 44mm tyres down to 33mm, part of this is because I race CX but also it makes the Crux feel more snappy and lot more fun in the mud.

[neilbritto]

I’m keeping my CRUX and Aethos, best bikes I have owned in a while !

[taeekim]

Hard to please everyone, but I feel like Specialized has come pretty dang close with the current Crux. My hunch is that for 2025, they’ll go aero (heavier), downtube storage (heavier) and internal cable routing, all things that for me personally, bring low to negative value. Oftentimes, it’s not about having the “new thing”; it’s about having the “right thing for you.”

[paulysci]

Now that you mention it the traditional frame is nice 👌 I've become so accustomed to new shapes and aero and futuristic profiles in the industries pursuit of lighter, better, faster. One tends to forget the beauty of simplicity and tradition.

[Rightouttheback]

I currently ride a Diverge, and look over at the possibility of a Crux for smoother racing and as a ok road bike. While some of the aero focused gravel bikes look pretty cool, I wonder if amateurs actually go fast enough to benefit from the aerodynamics of those aero tinkered bikes. That would be an interesting test.

Even pros and fit amateurs doing a gravel race are mostly riding in groups and minimizing their time in the wind. My guess is that aero advantages are minimal in groups and the rider would benefit more from the weight advantage of a lighter bike on every single hill. Afterall, the sort out of positions in a road or gravel race is often set on the hills.

So while aero focused gravel bikes talk of watts saved, per kilometer, at race speed, they forget that rides will be in groups only in the wind for turns, breakaways and catch ups. I would be interested to see tests of aero advantages for a pro considering group riding. Then test again at reduced speeds of amateurs and see if there is still an advantages of an aero bike for gravel riding and racing.

[rickmoz]

Just just bought the crux DSW to complement my turbo levo.
After made voyage, it was absolutely fantastic and I can see the hype around a gravel bike

[maximkrivov]

Team Traditionalist. Own both Aethos and Crux. Specialized please don't change anything. You have an opportunity to produce the most iconic bike if you just keep making it as it is. It's the best bike for the majority of people. What everybody can and does appreciate and is always relevant is the ride feel. Marginal aero is a very specific case scenario and most of the time you just want to enjoy the ride. It will be a bold move and a breath of fresh air if they actually just don't change anything (maybe tire clearance slightly) for the new model "the truly remarkable is always remarkable".

[davidnicholson]

Simple and clean aesthetic, great ride quality, super light, standard sealpost clamp, BSA BB, standard stem that takes ten minutes to swap, clearance for 47s, no hoses through the headset, future-proof UDH. The current Crux is basically a perfect bike. If they're coming out with a new one, I'd just wait until the current one goes on sale.

[ScottMoore_xco]

I am Team Tradition. I'm riding a '25 Crux Expert that I am upgrading piecemeal with Red components and it is 17.5 lbs in Gravel setup with Terra CL / G-One RS 45c and 16.62 in road setup with Terra C (will be replaced with proper road wheels) and GP5K 30c. Loving this bike and your videos definitely influenced my purchase. Also riding a '23 Epic Evo and a Lynskey R300 12spd DA & Enve 3.4s. We typically don't see new Spec bikes until Sept/Oct though would not be surprised to see them widen to 50c or to accommodate 2.2 which would be a game changer. My next bike will be something that will accommodate 2.2 whether it is a rigid gravel or a light XC (maybe an Epic) outfitted with drop bars. Ride on!

[jmscheel]

I have owned nearly every generation of the Crux. I go away from it every other year or so and then come back. What brings me back is the ride. It is so damn predictable, agile, comfortable and just rides like a Specialized.

[robertsonfamilyfarm]

Yes, Wait for the new model, so I can buy the old model from you for a big discount! Kudos …crux ❤

[decoherence]

Love the current Crux. Crazy that bike manufacturers think that every three years or so we'll dole out another $5-9k on these bikes. I'm keeping mine for as long as it rides

[jakew]

Love the video brother. I'd love to see a video of local gravel trails you ride in Socal

[thunderpepsi]

What’s good OB, big fan, loved you in Mitchie B’s Pod. Glad you representing the Cali Cyc Scene

[HarishChouhan]

When I started maintaining my own bikes, I realized the benefit of external cables. So easier to clear the headsets and to travel with the bike.

[ragethomas]

I picked up a Cruz dsw the other... Gotta say, that thing was plenty light

[htabbas]

I am still keeping my 2012 Crux😊. I rode it everywhere long before "gravel bike" was a thing, with 34mm