Crux

Specialized has simply launched an aluminium model of the Crux, its light-weight gravel-meets-cyclocross race platform. The new Crux DSW marks the much-anticipated return of a greater low priced metal-framed choice after Specialized discontinued the preceding aluminium version in 2019.

Consider this a placeholder for a assessment to come. I’ll hold it quick for now, however count on a deep dive as soon as I’m prepared to provide a conclusion about this one.

DSW matters

The new Crux DSW is efficaciously an aluminium duplicate of the present Crux, bringing Specialized’s mild and easy gravel bike platform down to a decrease charge tier.

Not in contrast to Specialized’s Aethos, the Crux has been a success now not via its technological know-how breakthroughs, however instead via how it has hit the technological rewind button. Here the Crux blends present day geometry, modern-day tyre clearance, and the advantages of current cloth understanding with easy points such as slimmer tube shapes (for much less body weight and accelerated journey quality), cable routing exterior of the headset, a ordinary spherical 27.2 mm seatpost with an external clamp, and an English threaded backside bracket. And the new Crux DSW seems to stick extraordinarily shut to this recipe. In fact, it’s correctly a steel replica of the present Crux platform.

Standing for D’Aluisio Smartweld, the DSW in the new Crux DSW skill there are a few fancy important points comparable to these viewed with Specialized’s Allez Sprint street and Chisel hardtail mountain bike aluminium offerings. The Crux DSW isn’t as excessive as that Allez Sprint, however it does characteristic a down tube and backside bracket shell that are hydroformed (molded) as a single piece, with the seat tube and chainstays then welded to it.