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Specialized have taken the technology and design know-how developed while producing the ‘Aethos’ to rustle up the all new 2021 Crux, a bike that has been hailed as not only the lightest gravel bike in the world, but also “a one-way ticket to gravel enlightenment.”
“and you know what….. looking at its specs and colourways i’m finding it hard to argue with that.”
Having entered the roster of bikes from Specialized back in 2010, the crux has long been a popular option in the cyclocross scene, lightweight, nimble and with tyre clearance suited to most of the filth you might expect on the winter circuit made it a no brainer.
In that time though it has also been a low key endurance steed of choice too, and this latest iteration of the bike is looking as though its likely to be even more comfortable for longer rides be that on tarmac, grass or… you guessed it gravel!
Far and Wide
There are plenty of features to shout about around the 2021 Crux, and instantly the biggest design point of note is the tyre clearance.
To put it plainly and use the correct industry terminology, there are OODLES. Taking on the same offerings which were introduced to the Diverge line up the year before last, allowing the use of 47mm wide tyres on 700c wheels with plenty of clearance and then sizing things down to 650b wheels it is possible to scale up the rubber to 2.1 inches!
This offering is sure to please alot of riders out there, feeling that the 40mm ‘limitations’ of many bikes on the market today doesnt quite cut it, but then again the grass is always greener I guess, the offerings of bigger tyres on the Crux does however come at a price, if you were looking for a fast nimble gravel bike that could be loaded up and donned with fenders, as unfortunately it has no mount offerings for either bags or mudguards like the Diverge.
That should come as no surprise really though, considering the origins of the Crux and its new claim at being the lightest gravel frameset going, but it does offer the all important under downtube bottle mount bolts, so maybe it is a touring bike after all?…..
Its somewhat remarkable that such a light bike has been created while offering the tyre clearance stated, and thats not to say the ride feel has been compromised either, Specialized claim that its clean lines and design finesse has been implemented to emphasise comfort, and “rather than making use of the solid beam chainstay the Diverge uses or the swooping, vulnerable dropped stays some other platforms resort to for tire clearance. The Crux’s straight-shot, hollow drive-side chainstay allows us to keep the whole package light”
Some other nifty features come in the form of dropper post routing, should you wanna get a little rowdy on the trails and descend like a winged mammal leaving the devils habitat and depending on what your current cockpit situation is, the 2021 Crux is designed around your classic two-piece handlebar stem combo.
Rather than the proprietary future shock suspension system thats on the diverge.
The Numbers –
At the top end of the line is of course the S-Works Model and it makes use of the rather fancy S-Works 12r carbon frame that rolls in comfortably at only 725g as a 56cm, not including any of the hardware.
As a full build this is going to set you back £10,750 or €12,200 if you are on the continent,
In the build you do get all the fanciest new gravel specific offerings from Roval in the shape of their Terra CLX Wheels and then there is the SRAM Red eTAP XPLR groupset to see you turning things over properly.
Should you wish to not part with 6 digits there are further offerings much like the rest of Specialized’s range and on offer are the Pro, Expert and Comp.
As opposed to using the 12r carbon layup, these all use a slightly heavier 10r carbon that is gonna pile on around 100g to the frame weight, which still means the frame only is going to weigh around 825g.
Builds start at £4000 for the Comp with the expert coming in at £5,500 and then the pro builds priced at £7,000
Would you like 1 ring or 2?
So with order of things all leaning towards 1 x these days it should come as no surprise that all the complete builds are specced out with 1x SRAM drivetrains, but the frames do include an integrated front derailleur, however they arent going to compatible with mechanical systems up front.
So you can throw on a double chainring up front, but will have to rely on either the Shimano Di2 GRX system or of course the AXS offerings from SRAM.
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Whats not to like?
Well, until we test one its hard to make a sweeping statement of any sort, but i think its fair to say a light and agile bike feels great on the trails and since riding my diverge the last 2 years ive been wondering about whats next… an updated diverge or something else..
the offerings here are really exciting and maybe this is the next logical step.
Plus im absolutely loving the colours on the pro what do you all think?
Below are the specs of each build, and should you feel the urge to dive in deeper head over to the specialized site for some more nitty gritty numbers.
2021 Specialized S-Works frameset
- $5,000 / £4,4000 / €4,500 / AU$7,500
2021 Specialized Crux Pro frameset
- $3,200 / £N/A / €3,000 / AU$4,700
2021 Specialized S-Works Crux –
- Frameset: S-Works Crux 12r Carbon, 68mm threaded bottom bracket, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Forks: S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Handlebars: Roval Terra, carbon, 103mm drop, 70mm reach, 12-degree flare
- Stem: S-Works SL, 6-degree rise
- Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Saddle: Specialized S-Works Power
- Seatpost: Roval Alpinist
- Seatpost clamp: Specialized alloy, 30.0mm, titanium bolt
- Shift levers: SRAM Red eTap AXS
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Red XPLR eTap AXS
- Cassette: SRAM XPLR XG-1271, 10-44t
- Crankset: SRAM Red AXS power meter, 40t
- Chain: SRAM RED 12-speed
- Wheelset: Roval Terra CLX
- Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready, Transparent Sidewall, 700x38c
- $12,000 / £10,750 / €12,200 / AU$18,000
2021 Specialized Crux Pro
- Frameset: Crux FACT 10r Carbon, 68mm threaded bottom bracket, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Forks: S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Handlebars: Roval Terra, carbon, 103mm drop, 70mm reach, 12-degree flare
- Stem: Specialized Pro SL, 6-degree rise
- Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Saddle: Specialized Power Pro
- Seatpost: Roval Terra Carbon
- Seatpost clamp: Specialized alloy, 30.0mm
- Shift levers: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS
- Cassette: SRAM XPLR XG-1251, 10-44t
- Crankset: SRAM Force 1× 40t
- Chain: SRAM Force 12-speed
- Wheelset: Roval Terra CL
- Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2BR Ready, Transparent Sidewall, 700x38c
- $8,000 / £7,000 / €8,000 / AU$12,000
2021 Specialized Crux Expert
- Frameset: Crux FACT 10r Carbon, 68mm threaded bottom bracket, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Forks: S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Handlebars: Specialized Adventure Gear, alloy, 118.9mm drop, 70mm reach, 12-degree flare
- Stem: Specialized Pro SL, 6-degree rise
- Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Saddle: Specialized Power Expert
- Seatpost: Roval Terra Carbon
- Seatpost clamp: Specialized alloy, 30.0mm
- Shift levers: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS
- Cassette: SRAM XPLR XG-1251, 10-44t
- Crankset: SRAM Rival 1× 40t
- Chain: SRAM Rival 12-speed
- Wheelset: Roval Terra C
- Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2BR Ready, Transparent Sidewall, 700x38c
- $6,000 / £5,500 / €6,000 / AU$9,000
2021 Specialized Crux Comp
- Frameset: Crux FACT 10r Carbon, 68mm threaded bottom bracket, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Forks: S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Handlebars: Specialized Adventure Gear, alloy, 118.9mm drop, 70mm reach, 12-degree flare
- Stem: Specialized 3D forged, 6-degree rise
- Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Saddle: Specialized Power Sport
- Seatpost: Roval Terra Carbon
- Seatpost clamp: Specialized alloy, 30.0mm
- Shift levers: SRAM Rival 1
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Rival 1
- Cassette: SunRace 11-42t
- Crankset: SRAM Rival 1x 40t
- Chain: KMC X11
- Wheelset: DT Swiss G540 Disc
- Tyres: Pathfinder Pro 2BR Ready, Transparent Sidewall, 700x38c
- $4,200 / £4,000 / €4,000 / AU$6,300
Last modified: 8th October 2021
these companies continue to churn out new bikes yet no spares are available for the bikes they have already sold. need a new 12 speed chain? the only way to get it is to buy a complete new bike.
I understand your frustation of not getting parts currently, but i just recently got hold of a 12 speed chain no problem, so a rather extreme hypothetical being raised there.
Bikes like these have most probably been in development for quite some time though, and the industry all around has been hit hard by the last 18 months in terms of whats available, and ceasing new product lines doesnt make all that much sense.
Hope if you are waiting on parts they turn up soon.
Cheers
Dear God, that is one ugly bike, paint scheme.
Dear Alan, that is one big statement. haha – I genuinely have a lot of time for the funky finish on that model.
Thats the magic of bikes though I guess, so many different shapes, sizes and finishes.
Apart from the paint, does the rest of it appeal? or not so much?