How was the clearance on the front wheel with the fork? Just wondering if you can run a Conti RK 2.0 front and something smaller on the rear wheel.
Up front, there was clearance for days. Might even be able to squeeze a 2.2 up front, to be sincere.
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This is my same concern. I suspect the next Crux (whenever it comes) will go further down the gravel spectrum and lose its CX heritage/capabilities. At least if that happens maybe I can find a good deal on the current gen Crux 
p.s. off topic and probably a whole other thread, but I also completely agree with your thoughts about CX in general. It is a big shame the cycling media has shifted so far to gravel and in the US CX is losing that coverage it had 4-5 years ago. If we truly want to grow grassroots cycling, then CX is way more accessible and fun for all ages, and a great way to get kids into riding bikes. Ok rant over!
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The issue CX has is that they are restrictive on things like tire width and getting on and off the bike I think deters a lot of people as well.
At the grass roots / beginner level, if you had a technical course, a āb-lineā around barriers and could run whatever bike or tire you want I think it could grow. As is right now kids will choose mtb and road.
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I canāt speak for the kids, but Iād done a few CX races and enjoyed the vibe (for a USAC event), but not the racing. Maybe itās because constant surging and short duration races arenāt strengths of mine, but I just kind of found it annoying all the start/stop, getting off the bike, etc. I did OK in the few races I did, but totally missed the power/speed sensation I get from other types of racing. Iām not much of a technical XC MTB racer either (prefer the longer peddle-y marathon stuff), so I think itās just how Iām wired and prefer the longer stuff.
Also, most CX stuff is still tied to USAC sanctioned events around here, which just creates an artificial barrier to entry compared to all the mass start gravel events where itās an open and less intimidating entry point. Signing up for a local gravel event isnāt that different than a local group ride. CX still has a niche following, but the bike companies are going to follow the $ and I bet there is 50x more $ās being spent in gravel these days compared to CX.
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Kinda similar. I have the stock roval wheels on my crux. (hoop is the same for all three carbon wheels). 25m in rim width. I was able to fit a 2.3 fast track (Super underrated tire for gravel and a featherweight xc bike, especially the old ones, depending on where you live) without rubbing when sprinting. However, I honestly do not recommend. I would stay with a 2.1
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How are you all getting a 2.1 in the back? I have the stock wheels and can get a Fast Track 2.1 in. But it is on a razor-thin line. Like, I can not pump it above 25psi, or it starts to rub. And riding it, simply, is not happening. It rubs when standing or if I hit a bump. Am I missing something?
On another note, I tried a 2.1 up front with the Pathfinder 42 in the back. Terrible handling. I almost hit a car making a turn just cause it took so long (totally my fault, but yeah, nowhere near the turning the bike was supposed to have). I know the tire size affects the handling a lot when you have such a big front tire and a tiny rear tire. But is some of it just big tires make turning trash? If so, how much and should this be something to consider if I want to buy new wheels just to get mtb tires to fit?
Not sure what artificial barriers you are referring to but there are no bike restrictions for USAC CX races besides at Nationals. There is only one restriction and that is no bar ends on mountain bikes in CX events. So any bike that is acceptable for mass start gravel or cross country mtb is acceptable at usac cx races (minus bar ends or aero bars).
Would probably be helpful if USAC was proactive in pointing out that almost all of the UCI restrictions in all types of races do not apply to USAC races except at Nationals and races that select members for international competition. USAC rule book lists the very few bike requirements. I see tire size questions asked all the time on local cx groups/forums. Even worse is the questions on our time trial series group. None of the UCI TT bike dimensions apply to usac (again outside at Nationals).
(At CX Nationals only there is a 33mm tire max for 17-18/u23/elite and 38mm for masters. )
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Not talking about anything equipment related, just saying that when something is sanctioned by USAC, that in itself is a bit of a barrier and can be intimidating to a casual rider wanting to try something fun. Nobody asks you to get a license when you sign up for a local gravel race or a 5k charity run. Not sure if they still require the 1 day license for newbies in CX races, Iāve been to a couple gravel races where USAC was involved, but they werenāt taking license numbers from anyone and not requiring a one day license (and no usac refs that I saw).
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And it is expensive for usac license! I havenāt raced in a couple of years and was thinking about doing a cross race or two. $110 for a license is crazy.
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They still offer a $10 one day license, available to purchase at day of reg for our local races. Which are comically cheap compared to the big production races. Pre reg for most of our races are $25 (day of is $35) or less, one race is $20/race, another is $15, and yet another is only $5 for the single speed race, $25 for the rest. Most let you add a second race for $5.
And while writing this, realized I should reg for some of these, and one gave my second race for free!
By and large, the races near me are not USAC.
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One day license was $15 the last time I got one, but agree that itās not crazy. But, if you add that to a ~25-30 entry fee for a <30 minute race, it starts to feel not so great. And I think the license requirement is just a weird psychological thing also, right or wrong. None of it is any different than crit racing (in my experience), but both disciplines are shrinking and struggling for new riders. And Iām not sure itās fair to compare race fees between a 30 minute crit/CX race vs. a local gravel event. The gravel event is a often a multi-hour āadventureā with food and drink provided vs. a USAC event where you are basically paying for a short race. Neither is better or worse, but I think the local gravel event is a lot more welcoming to a beginner. And around here, a 60-100 mile local gravel event (with a party at the end) doesnāt cost any more than a 30 minute CX or crit if you figure in the license. If you are comparing to the expensive big production (lifetime, etc.) races, itās really apples and oranges. Whether you think they are dumb or not, many people treat those as bucket list races and/or make mini vacations out of travelling to those races. Nobody is doing that for a local USCA race.
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Just looked at mid-Atlantic races in my area. All appears that $40 plus bikereg fees is the standard. The $15 one day license is only good for novice class (cat 5 cx or road). It is $35 for āexperiencedā one day license. So to do one 45 minute cx race in a masters field will cost me about $80 with the one day. 
I remember 15+ years ago when the C race (cat 3/4/5) would max out at 100 or 125 racers a few days before and day of was a gamble. Fields arenāt half that anymore. USAC is just digging a deep hole with the rising costs and the competition with non-sanctioned gravel.
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(not to derail) Iāve been getting a USAC license the last three years for 50% off. They always post about a discount code in April to use and itās usually something like INTROMEMXX. Probably still valid using INTROMEM25
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Since this basically turned into a state of CX discussion Iām gonna try to turn it around and just say I think this set up can go toe to toe with most gravel race bikes out today. This is a 2022 model and I just have no desire (yet) to upgrade. I canāt wait to see what they do with the new crux next year
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I think itās really dependent on what races you are doing and where you want to prioritize speed/efficiency. For races like Unbound or Big Sugar, Iām personally a fan of running big volume tires. And even on tamer courses, I donāt really want to be below ~50. But I think it depends on how big you are, what your power profile looks like, your bike handling skills, how you like to race, etc. There isnāt a single bike or setup that is right for everyone.
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I donāt disagree - obviously there isnāt a perfect bike. I mostly race Midwest gravel which can be fast and have decent size rollers. Perfect for a lightweight bike that handles much like a road bike imo. Not a fan of these bikes that can handle MTB tires but steer like a tractor.
But I have also raced this at Unbound and races that had single track a full suspension would be best on and have had 0 issues. 50mm can fit front and rear but I have enjoyed 50mm and 45mm personally. In my eyes, this still remains as one of the best gravel race bikes on the market.
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So many questions. How wide do the tires blow out too? The build is almost exactly what I may do to my crux, sooo weight? Finaly I am not the only one to run a 46t chainring w 12 speed xplr. How big a difference were the wheels to ride feel and stuff
Iām pretty sure Sofia was riding a Crux at Oregon Trail this year.
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I think it all comes down to the course. On the forest roads a smaller tire with rigid fork is brutal. A smoother course like Sea Otter with a fairy amount of pavement (even though it is rough), the bigger tires are draggy. I kinda like that these things still come into play personally. Makes it fun!
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