The rear brake caliper moves from the seatstay to the top of the chainstay. 3.0 out of 5 star rating 3.0 The Crux is the cyclocross riders best friend in the war against mud this brilliant all weather bike takes no prisoners. (Specialized does now offer a standard derailleur hangar that will accommodate wheels with traditional 135x12 spacing. It features the same World-Championship-winning geometry and carbon layup as its S-Works cousin, … One potential drawback: Specialized uses proprietary hubs and spacing, called SCS, which keep the chain in line for crisp and smooth shifting. The second downtube position can be used to attach Specialized's SWAT storage system, which holds a tube, patch kit, tire irons, and a CO2 cartridge. At the top end of the price spectrum is the S-Works CruX, which is interestingly built with 22-speed gearing, that retails for $7,500. The CruX Expert shares the same FACT 11r carbon frame and S-Works FACT 11r carbon fork as the other two carbon models. How we test gear. Specialized first released its Diverge gravel bike with the Future Shock suspension system in 2017, and during that time, the design has already become a mainstay on the gravel scene.. Alison Tetrick, … The 2019 Specialized Diverge Expert X1 Womens. $4,700 will net you the CruX Expert. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The geometry of the Crux is race-focused too, and this is an area where my riding highlights that Specialized has got the numbers and angles just right. Specialized CruX Elite X1 review Intended as a pure cyclocross machine, the new CruX has no pretensions of being a gravel bike — it can leave that to the very capable Diverge. BikeSnobNYC’s Guide to Buying a Cyclocross Bike, Sending Whistler’s A-Line on a Cyclocross Bike, Focus’ 2016 Cyclocross Line Makes Some Bold Moves, Tested: Specialized Allez DSW Sprint X1 Expert, The Specialized CruX Elite X1 Is Geared to Win, Specialized Women’s Tarmac Expert Review, Bike Preview: 2016 Specialized Allez DSW Sprint X1 Expert. Say goodbye to front derailleurs and hello to hassle-free racing. When it comes to cyclocross, the CruX Expert X1 has everything you need and nothing that you don't. For those looking for a bike that can handle both short, choppy races and longer rambles, the Crux is ready. Plus, the thru-axles drew plenty of envious looks. I've had no issues since then, but that initial experience shook my confidence. When it comes to cyclocross, the CruX Expert X1 has everything you need and nothing that you don't. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 11 Best Canyon Bikes You Can Buy Right Now, Ibis Ripley AF: a Value-Priced Top-End Ride, Canyon Exceed CFR LTD: Ridden and Reviewed, The Most Affordable Mountain Bikes That Shred, These Bikes Will Help You Fall in Love With Riding, The Lightweight XC Bike Showdown: Scalpel v. Epic. Aggressive looks, tepid personality Our rating . This provides better cable routing with less exposed cable (read: no snags) and shorter housing for those running cable brakes rather than hydro brakes. The post does add some comfort, but only minimally and not enough in my opinion to justify the extra weight. It also beefs up the connection to the frame and provides a stouter attachment for the caliper. The CruX Elite X1 boasts front and rear thru-axles and a solid … Also new: front and rear thru-axles. I had to overtighten the bolt to get the saddle to stay. Specialized gave the carbon models within the CruX family a subtle yet significant makeover for 2016 model year. Subscribe to Cyclocross Magazine today, and you'll receive in-depth content on riders, tech, reviews, and behind-the-scenes look at races. Brand: Specialized, Product: CruX Expert X1 When it comes to cyclocross, the CruX Expert X1 has everything you need and nothing that you don't. Everything on the CruX Elite X1 is built for speed over comfort, so it’s not a do-all gravel bike— that’s more Specialized Diverge territory. Throughout the fall, the Specialized Crux Expert has been my go-to bike for, well, just about everything: Fast and furious ‘cross races, nighttime singletrack expeditions, rainy road rides, and even a mixed-terrain century were all fair game on this fast, nimble cyclocross bike. Given this bike's rugged versatility and potential use in 'cross races, I'd swap the post for one that used a more secure two-bolt clamp. The Diverge Expert Carbon is a 1x bike, employing SRAM’s Force1 groupset to achieve a 40-42t climbing gear (26 gear inches). Hidden fender mounts are a plus, too. Its maneuverability and smooth ride were excellent on a recent all-day accidental century: I was the only rider not complaining of aches and pains at the end. It knocks another grand off the price ($2,900) by using SRAM Rival 1 and a standard 27.2 alloy … Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 2.5 out of 5 star rating 2.5 But that's the only issue I had with the fast, do-anything Crux. And with the ease and efficiency of a SRAM Rival 1 one-by drivetrain, you … The light carbon frame felt super responsive— when I stepped on the gas, it went— which helped me hammer down long straightaways. Whether slogging on gravel or burning up the 'cross course, the bike became my go-to choice. Ride In Zwift's Black Celebration Series All Year, The 2021 Canyon:ON Has More Power and Range, How to Best Warm Up After a Cold Winter Ride, Is Fat But Fit Really A Myth? And the bike responded well to my body English—driving a hard line through corners on rutted, bumpy terrain was no big deal. RELATED: Focus’ 2016 Cyclocross Line Makes Some Bold Moves. * Specifications are subject to change without notice, Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual (All Languages), Trainer Usage Addendum to the Bicycle Owner's Manual, Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual Addendum: Riding With Kids, 2017 Rider/Bike Weight Limits and Terrain Conditions, Specialized FACT 10r carbon, 142mm thru-axle, 1-3/8"" lower bearing, disc mount, OSBB, Specialized Shallow Drop, alloy, 125mm drop, 70mm short-reach, Phenom Expert, Adaptive Edge design, hollow titanium rails, 143mm, Specialized CG-R, FACT carbon, single bolt, 27.2mm. The Crux also has a few nods towards versatility: It has two positions on the downtube to mount a water bottle, another on the seat tube, and a bonus position under the downtube for all-day excursions. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. The bike felt sharp, flickable, and ready for anything I pointed it toward. It features Specialized’s Fact11r frame (one step down from the S-Works frame), carbon Roval C38 disc wheels, and a SRAM Force 1x drivetrain. The CruX does one thing very well—race ’cross. At £2,500 the Crux Elite X1 is the most expensive build, and combines a FACT 10r carbon fibre frame and fork with a SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, with a full house of Specialized branded componentry. (“That’s pimpy,” one fellow rider observed in approval.) RELATED: BikeSnobNYC’s Guide to Buying a Cyclocross Bike. I've done 1000 miles on this bike so far and am looking forward to some cyclocross races this year. The bike shifted reliably, but the system limits wheel choices. It features the same World-Championship-winning … The internally routed FACT carbon disc fork features a thru-axle design, and it increases steering response and rider input for the tight turns and all-out efforts demanded in CX. When it comes to cyclocross, the CruX Expert X1 has everything you need and nothing that you don't. >>>Read our Specialized CruX Expert X1 (old model) review To help fling the bike onto your shoulder when hopping off to clear barriers, the frame design features a large opening at … The Specialized CruX E5 X1 takes a lightweight and responsive frame and combines it with a reliable, performance-driven build. When it comes to cyclocross, the CruX Expert X1 has everything you need and nothing that you don't. Our experienced mechanic tightened it to the proper torque, but the saddle slipped several times during my initial rides, including a nighttime cyclocross race where I was on and off the bike many times. They also made it easy to attach the disc-equipped wheels and held them securely in place. Learn more. The $7,500 top shelf S-Works model featured what Specialized calls internally "hippie camo" with a tie-dye and fluorescent orange scheme (officially it's called Gloss SL Black/Cosmos/Rocket Red/White), while the $4,200 SRAM Force 1 CruX Expert X1 … For less … Plus, it looks neater and cleaner. The frame has a few notable updates from last year's version. Specialized CruX review. SRAM Force shift levers deliver crisp, reliable shifting in nasty conditions, which is furthered by a one-by shift setup that makes dropping chains on the course a thing of the past. Buy now, pay later with Klarna. For 2019, the Diverge Expert … For 2016 Specialized UK is only bringing in a select number of the full Crux range, and it has clearly decided the majority of new customers for cyclo-cross bikes will want disc brakes, as the four models all sport them. The bike felt awesome in both twisty terrain and long, fast sections—it was stiff and agile—and I credit the stouter axles. Specialized claims a 56cm frame weighs around 900g, … Specialized CruX Pro Carbon review. It features the same World-Championship-winning … Brand: Specialized, Product: CruX Expert X1. The name is a playful abbreviation of the sport, but the E5 is serious about performance Our rating . Specialized CruX E5 Sport review. And to promote this ride quality, it's also equipped with a thru-axle design. Altogether, it's a bike that's guaranteed to take your performance to new heights this season. Tested: Specialized Crux Expert X1Cyclocross Bike | Bicycling A cyclocross racing bike that can handle everything. A few brands provide options for serious racers who switch wheels often (and more companies are working on compatible models), but some riders might have a harder time finding the right wheel for the job. Specialized Crux – Revelations of the 2011 Offerings. The Elite X1 line uses the same Fact 10-R carbon frame and comes in two color options. Compared to the previous version, the new … I will be Cyclocross racing this season (first race in 2 days) and am a newbie to bike racing. It was even easy to loft over obstacles; there were a few singletrack logovers that gave me mental pause on skinny tires, but the Crux flew over them without issue. ), VIDEO: Sending Whistler’s A-Line on a Cyclocross Bike. You'll also find that these traits are accentuated by the lightweight and extremely stiff FACT 10r carbon fiber construction, while course control is furthered through its one-by design, hydraulic disc brakes, and front/rear thru-axles. Nearly everything on the bike worked flawlessly, but I did have some issues with the one-bolt clamp on the CG-R seatpost. The carbon frame was constructed from FACT 10r carbon fiber, so it experiences minimal weight gains in comparison to the S-Works version, while retaining all of the rigidity and responsiveness required of 'cross racing. It features the same World-Championship-winning geometry as its S-Works cousin, so ultra … The latest Crux goes on a diet While a few of the bikes on test proved more compliant, the Crux is the best balance of comfort, power transfer, and keeping the wheels in contact with the ground. It's Not That Simple, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. 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