Specialized S-Works Crux 2022 first ride review

Does the 2022 Specialized Crux live up to its new gravel identity, or are long-time Crux fans going to be cross?

Specialized S-Works Crux 2022
(Image: © Etienne Schoeman)

Cyclingnews Verdict

An impressively lightweight bike with a snappy, nimble and responsive feel that provides a truly꧃ confidence-inspiring ride on a🌳ll but the roughest of surfaces

Pros

  • +

    Impressively low weight at 7.25kg

  • +

    Nimble and responsive handling

  • +

    XPLR's 10-44T cassette offers ample gear range

  • +

    Power meter included

  • +

    Sub-1,300g wheelset

  • +

    Third bottle cage mount for longer days

Cons

  • -

    The feeling of being 'under-bikedꦅ' comes early, though maximising the 47c 🐻tyre clearance would no doubt help

  • -

    Cockpit integration wouꦜld have been a nice finishing touch

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For 2022, the Specialized Crux changes its role within the brand's line-up. What was previously a pure cyclo-cross race bike has now merged into a bike with a little extra versatility, taking aim at the public's ever-growing interest in gravel while retaining its fast pace, short-race heritage. Okay sure, the existing Speciaꦓlized Crux was already a genuinely capable gravel bike - most 'cross bikes are - but for 2022, the Crux acknowledges and embraces its dual role.

In the mo🐲st simple terms possible, for the design of the Crux, Specialized took everything it learned when developing the lightweight Aethos and applied it to a bike with ample tyre clearance, off-road capability and a few added gravel-minded features. The result is an S-Works model bike that boasts a 725g frame weight, a frankly astounding 7.25kg overall weight (with power meter), and clearance for 47c tyres.