Tested: Specialized's Crux Expert X1 Has No Limits
Throughout the fall, the Specialized Crux Expert has been my go-to bike for, well, just about everything: Fast and furious ‘cross races, nighttime singletrack expeditions, rainy road rides, and even a mixed-terrain century were all fair game on this fast, nimble cyclocross bike. The bike felt sharp, flickable, and ready for anything I pointed it toward. It was even easy to loft over obstacles; there were a few singletrack logovers that gave me mental pause on skinny tires, but the Crux flew over them without issue. The light carbon frame felt super responsive— when I stepped on the gas, it went— which helped me hammer down long straightaways. And the bike responded well to my body English—driving a hard line through corners on rutted, bumpy terrain was no big deal.
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The frame has a few notable updates from last year's version. The rear brake caliper moves from the seatstay to the top of the chainstay. This provides better cable routing with less exposed cable (read: no snags) and shorter housing for those running cable brakes rather than hydro brakes. It also beefs up the connection to the frame and provides a stouter attachment for the caliper. Plus, it looks neater and cleaner.
Also new: front and rear thru-axles. The bike felt awesome in both twisty terrain and long, fast sections—it was stiff and agile—and I credit the stouter axles. They also made it easy to attach the disc-equipped wheels and held them securely in place. Plus, the thru-axles drew plenty of envious looks. (“That’s pimpy,” one fellow rider observed in approval.) One potential drawback: Specialized uses proprietary hubs and spacing, called SCS, which keep the chain in line for crisp and smooth shifting. The bike shifted reliably, but the system limits wheel choices. A few brands provide options for serious racers who switch wheels often (and more companies are working on compatible models), but some riders might have a harder time finding the right wheel for the job. (Specialized does now offer a standard derailleur hangar that will accommodate wheels with traditional 135x12 spacing.)
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The Crux also has a few nods towards versatility: It has two positions on the downtube to mount a water bottle, another on the seat tube, and a bonus position under the downtube for all-day excursions. The second downtube position can be used to attach Specialized's SWAT storage system, which holds a tube, patch kit, tire irons, and a CO2 cartridge. Hidden fender mounts are a plus, too. For those looking for a bike that can handle both short, choppy races and longer rambles, the Crux is ready. Its maneuverability and smooth ride were excellent on a recent all-day accidental century: I was the only rider not complaining of aches and pains at the end.
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Nearly everything on the bike worked flawlessly, but I did have some issues with the one-bolt clamp on the CG-R seatpost. Our experienced mechanic tightened it to the proper torque, but the saddle slipped several times during my initial rides, including a nighttime cyclocross race where I was on and off the bike many times. I had to overtighten the bolt to get the saddle to stay. I've had no issues since then, but that initial experience shook my confidence. Given this bike's rugged versatility and potential use in 'cross races, I'd swap the post for one that used a more secure two-bolt clamp. The post does add some comfort, but only minimally and not enough in my opinion to justify the extra weight. But that's the only issue I had with the fast, do-anything Crux. Whether slogging on gravel or burning up the 'cross course, the bike became my go-to choice.
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