The alloy model of the Specialised Crux is again, and it’s lighter than ever! The all-new Specialised Crux DSW mimics its carbon brethren and weighs solely 1399 grams for a frameset. Nevertheless, this Crux isn’t the identical World Champion Bunny Hopper cyclocross steed that Zdeněk Štybar raced. It’s a gravel bike, and it’s the “lightest alloy gravel bike ever made.”
Specialised Crux DSW
When you’re new or returning to the Specialised Crux, the most recent iteration pivoted in the direction of the gravel facet of life, shifting away from the cyclocross race machine of the previous. The brand new Crux remains to be a cyclocross-able machine, however the geometry and slopping toptube say ‘gravel’. The latest Crux model was additionally deemed the lightest gravel bike ever, and now its alloy counterpart shares the crown.
D’Aluisio Smartweld Development
How did it get so gentle? The design workforce at Specialised makes use of the identical D’Aluisio Smartweld (DSW) you’ll discover on the Allez dash. It’s an engineering course of that makes use of hydroforming to match tube-to-tube joints for higher, stronger welds. The sort of building produces a lighter body, and it’s claimed to be twice as sturdy as a conventional alloy body.
Connecting the Items
The DSW frames are assembled utilizing a single-piece downtube and backside bracket, equivalent to the development of the Allez Dash. This one-piece downtube and backside bracket assist stiffen the bike and pedaling response.
The seat tube and chainstays are then mated to the hydroformed one-piece downtube and backside bracket utilizing the Specialised D’Aluisio Smartweld welding course of.
Specialised says the D’Aluisio good weld course of is refined, eliminating the necessity to overbuild tubes and welds. The yield is a 1399g alloy body alone, nevertheless it additionally brings higher experience high quality and responsiveness.
Body Particulars
The Crux DSW retains its weight down with assist from a full carbon Fact12r Crux fork, just like the carbon Crux variations. It has a threaded backside bracket and upgrades to a SRAM UDH rear derailleur hanger (in contrast to the present carbon Crux).
The body boasts mechanical and digital shifting compatibility, with zero headtube routing.
The tube shapes are barely spherical for seat stays, and the highest tube is barely triangular. This may scare away some soft-shouldered cyclocrossers, however don’t concern; the tube tappers are flat close to the seat tube junction.
Specialised claims an entire Crux DSW ideas the scales at 20lbs (9.37g) in a 56cm within the lightest colorway, and we discovered that to be 100% true on our scales.
What sort of using is it for?
The Crux DSW has the precise geometry and tire clearance as its carbon counterpart—that’s as much as 47mm on 700c wheels and as much as 2.1″ on a 650b wheel. It’s principally the carbon Crux, solely aluminum. It’s protected to say the brand new Crux DSW is a gravel bike that may take a beating.
The jury is out on how stiff and compliant that experience can be. Judging from my time on the Crux in each cyclocross and gravel, my hopes are excessive.
Trip Tuned For On and Off-Highway
Alloy will get a foul rap for being harsh off-road. However anybody who rides a well-crafted alloy body will let you know thats not 100% true. It’s all about tube shapes and geometry.
For the Crux D’Aluisio Smartweld, the marginally longer attain delivers higher weight distribution, and the complete carbon fork eats up path chatter, identical a mixture of spherical tubes.
Just like the carbon mannequin, it ought to supply a steady experience with an “within the center for gravel and cyclocross” 72mm of bottom-bracket drop.
Specialised Crux DSW Fashions
The Specialised Crux DSW is on the market in an entire or frame-only mannequin. The frames arrive in tremendous cool, playful colours just like the alloy Crux of the previous. The whole bike affords a competitively constructed gravel machine that could be a strong choice when pitted in opposition to the Crux carbon.
The Crux DSW Comp arrives with an SRAM 12-speed Apex setup, an 11-44T cassette, and a 40T entrance chain ring. As constructed, the bike weighs 20 lbs, however most is within the wheels, seatpost, and alloy bars. The saddle is a base-level Specialised Energy and an awesome do-it-all saddle.
General, the spec is strong. The wheels, although barely heavy for racing, are a wonderful spec for gravel and exploration on the bike.
The edges are 25mm inside and, paired with the Specialised Pathfinder Professional tires, supply a wonderful footprint for traction and velocity.
Specialised Crux DSW Specs
- Body: Specialised E5 Premium Aluminum Disc body D’Aluisio Smartweld Expertise, hydroformed aluminum tubing, tapered head tube, threaded BB
- Fork: FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
- Handlebars: Specialised Journey Gear, 118.9mm drop x 70mm attain x 12º flare
- Stem: Specialised, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
- Entrance brake: SRAM APEX, Hydraulic Disc
- Rear brake: SRAM APEX, Hydraulic Disc
- Shift lever: SRAM APEX, 12sp
- Rear derailleur: SRAM APEX XPLR, Mechanical
- Cassette: SRAM PG 1231, XPLR, 11-44
- Crankset: SRAM APEX XPLR, 40t
- Chainring: 40t
- Backside bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68 Large
- Chain: SRAM APEX 12S
- Wheels: DT G540, Centerlock Disc, Tubeless Prepared, 25mm inside width
- Tires: Pathfinder Professional 2BR, 700×38
- Saddle: Physique Geometry Energy Sport, metal rails
- Seatpost: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion {hardware}
- Complete Weight: 9.37kg (20 lb, 10.5 oz) Dimension: 56cm
Specialised Crux DSW Pricing
- Crux DSW Comp: $2,600, €2,700, £2,300, AUD 4,000
- DSW Body: $1,700, €1,650, £1,500, AUD 2,500
Availability
The brand new Specialised Crux DSW is transport now to retailers and clients.
Look For a Evaluate
We simply obtained our evaluation experience for the Specialised Crux DSW. Search for a evaluation as we put it by means of the rest of gravel season and into cyclocross.
