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This week for Fast Bike Friday we’re looking at the Specialized Crux Comp cyclocross bike. Cyclocross? Isn’t that a bit of a niche discipline? Well, yes, but the Specialized Crux is a very versatile bike that easily doubles up as a super-fast gravel bike when the mud dries out and is replaced by dusty tracks and trails. How do we know? Because a number of our staff have happily ridden and raced the Crux within successive Cross seasons and beyond into spring and summer, benefitting from its agile geometry and versatility when it comes to tyre clearances and the ability to run larger volume gravel-specific tyres.
When it comes to traditional Cyclocross racing the Crux is well-proven within International, National and Regional racing; this premier Cross bike has been around for a decade now in one iteration or another; most recently our own U23 and Junior Cyclocross Team ‘LOFTUS TOURS WHEELBASE’ have piloted this very model of Crux – the Crux Comp to some great results in the (albeit very) curtailed 2020/2021 Cyclocross season in the UK due to restrictions around the Coronavirus.
The versatile Crux Comp is ready for more than just flat-out Cyclocross racing…
Our own U23 and Junior Cyclocross team piloted the Crux Comp to some great results during the curtailed 20/21 race season…
The Crux Comp can handle any course conditions during foot out, flat out racing…
So as we’ve mentioned the Specialized Crux has been raced for just over a decade now with each new version during that time being tweaked and improved when it comes to how the bike handles and performs at the highest and most demanding level of Cyclocross racing. One aspect that Specialized can proudly say they were ahead of the curve on is the geometry of the Crux; ten years ago when the Crux was first launched Specialized made waves thanks to its lower bottom bracket compared with what was the norm back then.
This approach was sometimes referred to as ‘American Cyclocross Geometry’ when compared to the more traditional ‘Euro’ geometry which typically featured a higher bottom bracket. So what’s the advantages of a lower bottom bracket and why the ‘American Cyclocross’ label? For many years American Cross race courses have been renowned for having multiple, successive tight turns and the Crux’s low bottom bracket and sharp front-end significantly improved the handling of the bike during this form of fast, technical racing. A lower bottom bracket height also helps make the bike feel more stable and less twitchy at speed, so nowadays when it comes to riding the Crux beyond the race tapes and onto epic gravel rides you’ll really appreciate this type of geometry. It’s interesting to note that ten years after Specialized first developed this style of Cyclocross geometry many other bike brands have followed suit.
The super-light, stiff and responsive Specialized Crux Comp is constructed from Specialized’s FACT 11r carbon. Here they have implemented their ‘Rider-First-Engineered’ technology which was first introduced on their Tarmac road bikes. By using size-specific tubes and carbon layups Specialized are able to engineer exactly the same ride characteristics across every size in the Crux range. This latest version of the Crux has also seen a significant drop in frame weight; for example a 56cm frame now weighs a scant 900 grams making it over 400 grams lighter than the previous generation. So the Crux is light and stiff, making it ready to sprint off the line and hold its speed during race efforts, but to really excel on any terrain and handle any race course the Crux needs to be compliant too. With this in mind the Specialized designers have also engineered compliance into key areas of the frame as well as lowering the seat collar by two centimeters so that more of that flex from the carbon seat post can be utilised.
There’s two aspects to consider when it comes to the clearance between the Crux’s frame and tyre. In winter during the middle of a demanding Cyclocross season you’ll want maximum mud-shedding ability. When running a standard 33mm tyre (the width typically used in cross racing) Specialized have ensured that there is always 8mm of clearance between tyre and frame, with the same clearance on the front fork. When it comes to the summer months and more general riding and/or gravel duties the Crux can run fatter tyres; Specialized state that the Crux will accommodate 38mm wide tyres, however if you choose your tyre tread carefully you should be able to run wider 40mm gravel tyres with no problems.
The Specialized Crux Comp has been spec’d with a great range of componentry to bring the best out in that race-ready carbon chassis. With a full Sram Force 1 groupset featuring a simple and brilliantly functional 1X drivetrain you can be confident that the Crux’s gearing will perform flawlessly and consistently within almost any conditions – sticky mud, sandy terrain, wet weather, cold & icy conditions – the spec of this race-ready cross bike can handle anything that’s thrown at it. With powerful, easy to modulate hydraulic brakes and light but tough 700c wheels shod with fast-rolling Specialized Tracer Pro 33mm tyres the Crux has been built to be race-ready straight out of the box; check out our detailed shots below and see a full specification at the bottom of this feature.
The Crux frame has been designed using Specialized’s proportional ‘Rider-First-Engineered’ technology…
Clean lines make for a clutter-free bike that’s ideal for easy carrying and for shedding mud efficiently…
The Crux’s carbon frame is designed to be stiff and responsive while having some welcome compliance engineered into it…
The super-light, stiff and responsive Specialized Crux Comp is constructed from Specialized’s FACT 11r carbon…
The Crux sport an oversized 1-3/8″ internal lower bearing to help keep steering sharp and responsive…
Internal cables run through the frame and fork to make the Crux easy to clean and keep gear shifting slick…
An internal seat clamp is positioned underneath the top tube to help stay grime-free and allow the carbon seatpost to flex…
There’s plenty of mud clearance between the rear tyre and frame…
There’ll be minimum mud-build-up at the junction between the seat tube and chainstays…
The Crux’s features a neat, secure and easy to use 12x142mm thru axle at the rear of the frame…
The S-works FACT carbon fork features an internally routed hydraulic brake hose and tons of clearance for muddy conditions…
A 12x100mm thru axle keeps your front wheel secure and the disc rotor perfectly aligned with the brake caliper…
The Sram Force 1x shifter is easy to use providing crisp gear shifts even in wet, muddy conditions with gloved hands…
Press the Double-Tap shifter firmly inward and you’ll change up the block, press lightly inward and you’ll change down the block…
Sram’s Force 1 rear derailleur features a clutch to keep your chain tight and secure to prevent the chain from unshipping…
Specialized have spec’d a superlight, stiff Praxis Zayante Carbon M30 chainset featuring a direct-mount 40T narrow/wide single chainring…
An 11-speed 11-36T cassette combined with the 40T chainring upfront gives you a really versatile spread of gears for cross racing and beyond…
It’s good to see a Praxis threaded bottom bracket, making mid-season home-maintenance quick and easy…
The benefits of a simple 1X drivetrain cannot be overstated, there’s plenty of clearance to help prevent mud build up…
The flat-mount Sram Force hydraulic disc brakes are powerful and easy to modulate in all racing and riding conditions…
The flat-mount hydraulic calipers and an internal brake hose makes for a neat, clutter-free braking system on the fork…
At the rear of the frame the hydraulic brake hose is neatly routed through the frame with the minimum exposed hose on show…
160mm diameter disc brake rotors help you scrub off speed quickly and effectively…
Specialized have spec’d a durable pair of tubeless-ready wheels featuring DT Swiss 470 rims and fully-sealed Specialized thru axle hubs…
The 33mm Specialized Tracer cross tyres feature a fast-rolling tread pattern that provide just the right amount of grip for most conditions…
A light & stiff alloy bar and stem combo from Specialized with a 31.8mm clamp helps to provide sharp steering on the Crux Comp…
The Specialized shallow-drop handle bars put you in just the right position for cross racing, there’s plenty of spacers bellow the stem to enable you to fine tune your position…
Proportional to each frame size, the Crux’s handlebars come up nice and wide to help you keep in control…
Those tall hoods on the Sram Force 1 levers are great for keeping your hands from slipping off during wet, muddy races…
The Specialized Body Geometry Power Comp saddle features a comfortable profile with a short, stubby nose and cut out to enhance comfort when you’re in the saddle…
The Specialized Crux Comp is race ready and built to excel during your Cyclocross campaign; when the season ends swap out your tyre and enjoy the versatility of this super-light bike all year round…
Race-proven, we’re big fans of the Specialized Crux, with Wheelbase staff and team riders all enjoying the high-performance qualities of this brilliant cross bike…
Stop the press! We have a small number of Specialized Crux Comp team bikes for sale now!
If we have your size, then get in touch quickly and you can make a significant saving – team bikes are on offer at £2,700 (RRP £4,000). After a dramatically shortened cyclocross season due to Covid19 these bikes are still in an excellent condition. All team bikes have also received a full service in our workshop before going on sale.
Specialized Crux Comp Team Bike 58cm – two bikes available now! £2,700.00
Specialized Crux Comp Team Bike 58cm – one bike available now! £2,700.00
Available to view at our Lake District store or call 01539 821443 for more information…
Specialized Crux Comp 2021 £4,000.00
Full Specification:
- Frame: FACT 11r carbon, Rider-First Engineered, OSBB, 1-3/8″ lower bearing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Fork: S-Works FACT carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle
- Shift Levers: SRAM Force 1, hydraulic disc
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1, long cage
- Cassette: SRAM PG-1130, 11-speed, 11-36t
- Chainset : Praxis Zayante Carbon M30, 1x direct-mount
- Brakes: SRAM Force, hydraulic disc
- Wheels: DT R470 Disc, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes, 24h
- Front Tyre: Tracer Pro, 2Bliss Ready, 700x33mm
- Rear Tyre: Tracer Pro, 2Bliss Ready, 700x33mm
- Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
- Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
- Seat Post: Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset
- Saddle: Body Geometry Power Sport, hollow Cr-Mo rails
Written by Johnny Dodgin
All Photos by James Vincent
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