With gravel ascendant, Specialized has redesigned their Crux-series framesets to be fully capable for fast and race-oriented gravel riding, yet many specialists may well still appreciate the explosive responses and nimble handling of the Crux for it's original purpose: cyclocross. With a geometry and tire clearance favored for gravel, personal preference for competitive cross racing will drive the decision. The Crux is perfectly placed alongside the extreme versatility and compliance of the Diverge to truly balance Specialized's gravel offerings. What is different about the Crux other than geometry and design concept? How about an S-Works 12r level frame weight of 725 grams in a size 56cm? How about the same tire clearance as the Diverge, at 700c x 47 or 650b x 2.1” tires on contemporary-width rims? This is a race purposed bike that mates the premium grade S-Works FACT carbon 12r frameset with a SRAM Red XPLR eTap AXS HRD groupset featuring the Quarq Red power meter, Roval Terra CLX disc carbon wheelset, and a Specialized/Roval cockpit. Result: a sub 16 lb gravel bike.

The obvious question then becomes how is it possible to make such a terrain capable frameset with massive clearance at such a light weight. For Specialized the answer lies within the engineering and material science that enabled them to build the 585 gram Aethos road frameset. Detailed and diligent analysis, along with innovative dreams and realizations led the R&D team to discover that they could remove certain carbon plies in their lay-up schedule by using longer, unbroken plies. This was accomplished while further making subtle refinements to the roundish conical tube shapes to find a better balance of reduced weight with increased strength by focusing on how to taper the toptube and the downtube, as well as how the design relates the head tube and bottom bracket to create a frameset that exists as ecosystem, not a series of parts bonded together.

This was accomplished with the additional benefits of improving ride quality and making the frameset visually more appealing for those who prefer a simpler, classic aesthetic. It is optimal for a wireless electronic shifting set-up in the cockpit, in which only the hydraulic housing is exposed. Otherwise the housing and wiring routing is internal with downtube entry, but not hidden in the stem-bar-fork-frame combination. The frame design delivers the clearance in the rear triangle and avoids the heavier compromise of a dropped chainstay. A more direct route is more effective in delivering power from pedal input, and the straight, lightweight, hollow driveside stay is ideal in this regard. Specialized specifies a 27.2mm seatpost on this sloping frame for increased bump compliance, and the bike features a 136 gram Roval Alpinist that is super light, strong, and compliant. The S-Works 12r disc brake fork weighs just under 400g with the steerer cut for a 56cm frame, with massive tire clearance, a performance-oriented but compliant ride and impeccable front end control.

The geometry is purely Crux gravel. While the race design and rider posture ethos of the cross-oriented Crux was carried over, a more stable design is desired for gravel, so the frame reach was lengthened. The extra 10mm Reach of the frame allows for ideal weight distribution, eliminates toe overlap, and dictates a shorter stem to create stability and balance with responsive steering. The low Stack reinforces optimal weight distribution and is ideal for an aggressive fit, while the 72mm bottom bracket drop is the sweet spot to create a low and confident feel while ensuring the bike remains nimble for quick line adjustments and tight, fast tracks. Cross ready? Perhaps not, but ground and pedal clearance can be personal due to rider skill and ability. The result is a deft, nimble feeling that fast gravel riding deserve, one that responsive and supple on every surface. And thanks to the applied Specialized's Rider-First Engineered™ philosophy, this experience extends comparably across every frame size.

As for this complete bike package, little needs to be said about the lightweight excellence of the 1x12 speed SRAM Red XPLR eTap AXS HRD groupset or it's fast and reliable, wide range 1x shifting that is matched by the power and feel of the HRD disc braking system. Roval engineers some of the finest lightweight yet strong and resilient carbon components in the industry, all of which are backed by a superlative warranty program. If speed, great handling and control on gravel surfaces meet your pro-level race bike needs, this complete S-Works Crux will transport you- literally and figuratively.