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Today’s Deals2025 Specialized
Crux DSW
An aluminum frame gravel bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
€2,700($3,141)| Weight | 20.7 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Rigid |
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | Apex XPLR |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Crux model range
View Comparison5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'2"
6'0" – 6'4"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Specialized Crux is celebrated for its lightweight frame, versatile performance across gravel and cyclocross, and high-quality components. Reviews highlight its superb ride quality, excellent handling, and impressive tire clearance, making it a top choice for racing and fast gravel riding. However, some note its high price point and the mismatch between the premium frame and lower-spec components in certain builds.
Lightweight frame
Versatile for gravel and cyclocross
Superb ride quality
Excellent handling
Impressive tire clearance
High price point
Mismatch between frame and components in some builds
Limited mounting points for bags
Tubeless setup issues
Not the best for loading up with luggage
The alloy frame is hardly noticeable on the trails, open roads, and gravel-heavy sections.
BikerumorThe new CruX is designed as a gravel race bike first, with some nods toward cyclocross racing.
CX Magazinethe Crux offers a truly exciting off-road ride. It can hop, skip and jump through the tightest turns, crest climbs with ease, and then return to the tarmac and keep up with the roadies like it's no big issue.
Cycling NewsFeedback?
View all reviews
May 2026 · Jack Evans
The new Specialized Crux has been likened to a gravel Tarmac with good reason. Gone are the previous generation's round
More aero
Nearly as light
Wider tyre clearance
More suitable gravel geometry
Expensive
Lively ride and handling
May 2026
A sensible build slightly hamstrung by too-wide bars and mechanical SRAM, but an enjoyable multi-surface machine nonetheless.
High quality alloy frame
No gimmicks and simple frame features make it a versatile platform
Fantastic geo, on and off road
Hassle free maintenance
Basic wheels
Stock wide bars don’t match the race focused geometry
1x gearing feels restrictive at higher speeds
Jul 2025 · Jan Fock
Specialized S-Works Crux in our 2025 gravel race bike comparison test: can Specialized’s ultra-light gravel evergreen still hold its own against the new aero generation?
Punchy acceleration on climbs
Generous tire clearance
Precise handling
Wide road cockpit without flare doesn’t suit gravel racing scenarios
Jul 2025 · Warren Rossiter
The Crux DSW is an affordable, racy gravel bike that's cyclocross-ready
Very very light
Great drivetrain
Fun challenging ride
More of a cyclocross bike than an out and out gravel bike
Can be a handful on technical terrain
Firm ride
Nov 2024 · Jordan Villella
Specialized Crux DSW Comp is nice, but the build makes us wonder if choosing your components and building from the frameset up is better.
Nov 2024 · Dave Rome
Specialized’s latest aluminium race bike for gravel, all-road, and cyclocross endeavours.
Incredibly simple to work on and maintain
A frame worth upgrading with easy and wide-open part compatibility
Good tyre clearance
Well-balanced geometry for racing purposes
SRAM Apex mechanical does the trick.
A little stack height would broaden its appeal
Cut-outs at bottom bracket let dirt into the frame
Stock components lead to a stiff ride
The one complete bike option doesn’t represent stellar value
Crummy headset
Toe overlap in smaller sizes with bigger tyres.
Aug 2024
Sharing geometry with the popular carbon Cruz, Specialized relaunches an aluminum Crux returns with a "less is more" attitude.
Jun 2024 · Alvin Holbrook
The Crux DSW is an aluminum gravel bike that rivals carbon on weight and performance? What's the catch? Not a whole lot, based on our review.
| Frame | Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum Disc frame with D'Aluisio Smartweld Technology, hydroformed aluminum tubing, tapered head tube, threaded BB, UDH dropout BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Colors: Gloss Birch / Clay; Satin Smoke / Oak Green |
|---|---|
| Fork | S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 68 Wide |
| Stem | Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Adventure Gear, 118.9mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flare |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM APEX XPLR, Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM APEX XPLR, 40t |
| Shifters | SRAM APEX, 12sp |
| Cassette | SRAM PG 1231, XPLR, 11-44 |
| Chain | SRAM APEX 12S |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Tires | Pathfinder Pro 2BR, 700x38 |
|---|
First added June 11
Last updated May 9
Not listed for 25 days