My Crux (23 Expert) is the single most fun bike I’ve ever owned hands down. I’ve been rolling around on it with a 44 x 10-52 mullet drivetrain with 47mm pf pros for over a year now and it’s just incredible. B ride on tarmac no sweat, maybe even A if my legs are fresh, absolute dirt lazer on gravel, and even fun to ride on some moderate singletrack.
I’d love to see top tube bolts for a bag. Because of the round tubes, getting a TT bag to stay put and not flop left and right is challenging. I like to have a top tube bag in front of me for any race that goes longer than 100 miles.
On the same note, down tube storage would be clutch too.
I’m not 100% sold on the mtb tire trend yet so I don’t really care for any more tire clearance. I run pathfinders 90% of the time and 47mm Tracers on race day, or long training rides I know will have some adventure thrown in.
I think these things are in the diverge and may be a better choice for those really big days. The Crux is a race machine… personally, I hope it stays that way. I’d rather see it add the aero advantage and stay light weight. This way it keeps the diverge & crux enough apart you can choose your weapon based on course needs.
If there’s any change I really really want it would be for some better paint / color options. I am not a fan of the current offerings.
I don’t want the weight penalty of the Diverge for race day. I’m perfectly happy taking the Crux on a 125 mile day, but some extra storage would be cool.
There’s top level gravel racers that use top tube bags in races. I find that my top tube bag is superior to saddle bags in nearly every way. Not sure that there’s an aero penalty with them. For regular riding I dump tools/spares in my saddle bag and fuel on top tube. For races I’ll move tools to top tube bag and keep them with gels/food.
I run a couple different top tube bags (Leadout and Almsthre) on my crux and Voile Straps work really well in keep it from moving around.
Also, I absolutely love my Crux. Best fitting bike I have ever owned. I don’t have a Mullet set up (Sram XPLR) but run a 44 front chainring and can climb anything in Colorado but also don’t spin out when going fast on flats. Above 35 mph I start to spin out. I also ride everything from single track to paved roads on my crux. I personally like the simplistic nature of the frame.
The straps are rubber so I don’t think it would scratch but I also have some of this Tape I put on spots like this or where anything could rub/scratch the frame
Flip top or zip? I will always run a saddle bag for the repair kit, it’s the nutrition that I like to have in front of me for a long race. Easier than fumbling with jersey pockets when you’re on your limit.
Flip top. I got it because I keep a camera in it and wanted reliable waterproofing for use in Scotland. I might be inclined to go with a zip if it were just for food.
Second the tailfin bag. Very high quality and functional. Unfortunately the pre drilled holes didn’t align with those on my bike (bento mounts) so I just retrofitted the bag a little. Works totally fine.
I got the zip top and it works great one handed. After having previous top tube bags that needed two hands (one to pinch it together, another to zip), that was a must.
I have the .8L and it’s a bit too small for my phone unfortunately (largest iPhone) but not sure that I want anything bigger, either.
Hello,
Any informations about a new release date for a crux? I’m considering to buy the superx lab71 would go potentially also for a new crux but don’t want to wait another 2 years.
It would not surprise me to see something new from Specialized this Summer… But, as a point of clarity in relation to the thread title… The new Cannondale SuperX has no larger tire clearance than the existing Crux. Their marketing team was clever/deceptive enough to use different measured clearances(4mm vs 6/7mm) when stating tire volume compatibility.
Yes, but overall, that was a relatively minor change…the basic dimensions and design of the bike didn’t really change, just a few of the specifics around the rear dropout. They essentially did it just so they could offer the Red XPLR 13 spd group.
Agreed. I don’t consider the 2025 Crux the new gen. It is the exact same frame I bought in 2021. For that reason I do think Spesh has something cooking for the Crux this year but tbd if / when it comes out. Really curious to see what they do because I love the Crux!