The all-new Specialised Crux DSW is a motorcycle I have been wanting ahead to driving since I heard of its impending launch. I realise that this will come as a shock given the five-figure bikes that I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing this 12 months, but it surely’s true.
I’ve owned the high-end S-Works model of the Crux for some time now. It is a incredible bike – one which’s carried me throughout weekend adventures, long-endurance occasions and brief however high-intensity jaunts alike. On the highway, on gravel, and even on some singletrack, the S-Works Crux rides, as my colleague Hannah Bussey described it, like poetry in movement. But it surely’s additionally properly out of many individuals’s value vary. The bottom mannequin carbon Crux comes with a price ticket of 4 grant and my S-Works model? Nicely, I am simply glad I used to be in a position to rating an business low cost on a frameset.
Now, this new Crux DSW is an ideal carbon copy –errr, aluminium copy– of the most recent carbon Crux. One other lovely instance of trickledown know-how, the Crux DSW body is made utilizing Specialised’s patented D’Aluisio Sensible Weld (DSW) however provides the identical performance-oriented geometry, 47mm tyre clearance and Fact12r carbon fork as its carbon siblings —all at a wallet-friendly value.
Meet the Specialised Crux DSW
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
In true Specialised style, the Crux DSW announcement got here with a bunch of superlatives. The American big boasts that the brand new Crux DSW is the lightest alloy gravel bike ever made, tipping the scales at 9.37 grams for a completely constructed 56cm bike. Specialised additionally calls it “probably the most succesful, nimble, balanced, and responsive alloy gravel bike ever made.”
That is numerous claims, so let’s break them down.
Lightest:
The Crux body has a claimed weight of simply 1399 grams and is paired with a Specialised’s Fact12r Crux carbon fork as used on the carbon fashions.
My 49cm check bike, able to experience and full with a water bottle cage, weighed in at 9.2kg.
Most succesful:
By succesful, Specialised means tyre clearance. Like its carbon sibling, the Crux DSW sports activities a beneficiant tyre clearance properly past its cyclocross roots (the place 33mm tyres stay the UCI restrict). The Crux DSW can handily match 700 x 47mm tires or 2.1″ on a 650b wheel.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Most nimble, balanced and responsive:
How a motorcycle handles is the results of the geometry, materials, wheel measurement, tyre selection and general design. Specialised used the tried-and-true performance-oriented geometry of the carbon model and utilized it to the DSW. In comparison with different cyclocross bikes, the Crux sports activities a decrease backside bracket, increased stack and longer attain. However in comparison with Specialised’s devoted gravel bike, the Diverge, the stack top is definitely decrease for a extra aggressive driving place.
“An extended attain delivers higher weight distribution for fast, assured dealing with, whereas a decrease stack creates a performance-first place. At 72mm of bottom-bracket drop, we hit the candy spot between nimble and secure,” says Specialised.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The DSW know-how was named after Chris D’Aluisio, a longtime innovator whose handiwork will be seen in every thing from the Cannondale Lefty to the Venge, the Tarmac and Specialised’s Droop the Rider mission. The D’Aluisio Sensible Weld is an engineering course of that makes use of hydroforming to completely match tubes to 1 one other with out counting on mitering or extra materials to fill gaps. Specialised says this know-how not solely creates a stronger weld but additionally delivers a lighter finish product because it requires much less materials. As we have seen in DSW merchandise just like the Allez Dash, the Crux DSW sports activities a novel one-piece backside bracket and downtube, which is claimed to supply stability and effectivity.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Most reasonably priced, too?
Sure and no. There are definitely extra reasonably priced alloy bikes available on the market however at $2500 / £2,300 for the entire construct (as reviewed right here), it’s the most reasonably priced Crux within the Specialised line-up. The Crux DSW can even be bought as a frameset for $1700/ £1500.
The Specialised Crux DSW Comp – Specs
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
- Crux DSW body with Truth carbon gravel fork
- SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed mechanical groupset
- Gearing: 1x 40t crankset paired with an 11-44 cassette
- Ending package: a group of Specialised’s personal alloy stem, handlebars and seatpost
- DT Swiss G540 Aluminum Gravel Wheels
- Saddle: Physique Geometry Energy Sport, metal rails
- 700 x 38mm 2Bliss prepared Pathfinder Professional tyres
- Colorways: Birch/Clay or Satin Smoke/Oak Inexperienced
- Value: $2500 / £2,300
The Experience
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
My poking at Specialised’s penchant for utilizing superlatives apart, the Crux DSW actually is a pleasure to experience.
Having ridden its carbon sibling for thus lengthy, I felt proper at dwelling on the acquainted geometry. It is maybe a tad aggressive in comparison with an endurance gravel bike however for the reason that Crux moonlights as a cyclocross racer, it is fairly well-accommodating for each use circumstances. Plus, Specialised is aware of to go away loads of steerer tube size for these on the lookout for a extra upright place. With that mentioned, I am 5’5″ (1.67) and I experience the smallest frameset obtainable, the 49cm. In Specialised’s efforts to make the Crux expertise accessible to extra riders, I might have favored to have seen the addition of a smaller frameset.
I took the DSW on all my standard routes, subjecting it to loads of climbs, tough gravel, easy tarmac and a few rooty singletracks. I rode in a quick group setting in addition to solo. All through all of it, I by no means really felt hampered by the change in body materials, particularly as soon as the pavement turned to gravel. The bike felt noticeably responsive, particularly on punchy, out-of-the-saddle climbs. Positive, the bike is heavier than my very own S-Works model, however aluminium is so good nowadays. The DSW is a lot quick and its functionality conjures up confidence, letting me throw it into tight corners and down chattery descents with out hesitation.
The carbon fork goes a good distance in retaining the bike’s weight down and the vibration and bumps from angering the physique. For longer-distance occasions, nonetheless, I might counsel switching to a carbon seatpost or perhaps a dampening seatpost just like the Ergon All-Highway Carbon Leafspring seatpost for some added vibration assist.
Maybe the bike’s greatest limiter is the DT Swiss G540 wheelset paired with SRAM’s heaviest 10-44t cassette. The rear wheel, full with cassette and tyre, weighed in at round 2.3kg. That is a minimum of 320 grams greater than the frameset itself. As soon as I swapped the aluminium DT Swiss G540 hoops for a set of Roval Terra CLXs with a SRAM Drive XPLR cassette, the bike actually got here alive, displaying me what it might do with a higher-end construct.
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Whereas the 12-speed SRAM Apex XPLR mechanical groupset is succesful, I might have most popular to see a construct that includes the digital Apex XPLR AXS groupset. When requested concerning the option to go mechanical, Specialised mentioned: “We count on many riders to construct Crux DSW framesets utilizing digital drivetrains. For Crux DSW Comp, Apex mechanical XPLR is a superb groupset that brings wonderful drivetrain and braking efficiency to many riders.”
For the Crux DSW, Specialised is providing only one full bike construct in two colorways. The frameset has three colorway choices, and Specialised expects many to go for the build-your-own strategy, which, truthfully, is what I might do.
I’ve lengthy been of the opinion {that a} good aluminium body with a top quality construct can rival a carbon body with a lesser construct. Save your pennies on the frameset and spend it on a pleasant wheelset as a substitute. This frameset with some first rate hoops and the SRAM Rival or Apex AXS gruppo can be a killer steed for anybody wanting one bike to deal with highway and gravel alike, and possibly some ‘cross within the fall.
Worth and Verdict
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The $1700/£1500 price ticket for the Crux DSW frameset feels a little bit spendy when you may get a completely constructed Checkpoint ALR 4 for round that cash, but it surely’s according to Specialised’s different alloy frameset choices. The complete construct at $2500 / £2,300 feels honest – proper according to the Big Revolt 3 or Cannondale’s Alloy Topstone 1.
I fell in love with the most recent Crux in its S-Works model, however the DSW is equally spectacular inside its class. It lives as much as the expectations set on a model that makes an alloy superbike. The Crux DSW is a remarkably light-weight alloy steed that gives a vigorous but secure experience. Its energy lies in its true versatility. Few lower-end bikes are this enjoyable to experience throughout diversified terrain. In case you’re on the lookout for a gravel bike that will not maintain you again on the highway or cyclocross course with out breaking the financial institution, the Crux DSW is for you.
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