The sprinters teams fended off attacks in a hilly finale to have their day

The 2026 Giro dItalia classifications will evolve day by day over three weeks of racing, from the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria to the final stage in Rome, between 8 May and 31 May. Every summit finish, sprint stage, breakaway, and time trial has the potential to reshape the fight for the Maglia Rosa...

The Grand Loop is a stunning 365-mile route that connects the Tabeguache, Kokopelli, and Paradox Trails in Southwest Colorado and Utah. There are just over 20 riders registered for this year's grand depart, and with the help of the organizers and riders, we gathered rider and rig details for nearly all of them. Dig into the rigs of the 2026 Grand Loop here...The post Rigs of the 2026 Grand Loop appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Basically a fat-tyred Tarmac, the new Crux leaves its cyclocross roots behind in favour of outright speed, aerodynamic efficiency and modern gravel race performance

Specialized says the new Crux 5 combines aero gains, low weight and unparalleled ride quality to deliver more speed and you get space for 55mm tyres

The Giro dItalia has long built its reputation on attrition as much as spectacle. Across three weeks of racing between 8 May and 31 May, crashes, illness, exhaustion, and withdrawals can completely reshape the race, whether in chaotic bunch sprints, freezing mountain conditions or the brutal final...

With the Crux 5, Specialized are unveiling the next generation of their gravel race bike. What started life as a stripped-back featherweight cyclocross bike has evolved into a more capable, aerodynamic race machine that still promises to retain its trademark agility. We got the exclusive chance to ride the bike on the gravel tracks around Girona ahead of the official launch.Specialized S-Works Crux | 7.10 kg in Size 54 | 13,999 | Manufacturers WebsiteTable of ContentsThe Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 in detailThe Spec of the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026Geometry of the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026Eat my Dust: The Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 on ReviewWho is the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 for?ConclusionIts already been four years since Specialized redefined the ultra-light, stripped-back gravel bike with the Crux 4. In gravel terms, thats almost an eternity. Since then, the sport has gone all-in on performance and aero gains. Even back then, the previous Crux had to fight hard in our group test against increasingly aero-focused rivals, despite featuring a custom race build with borrowed Tarmac SL8 road components. The verdict? Stunningly light on climbs, but increasingly outgunned when the speeds ramped up on the flat. Its classic, delicate Aethos-inspired silhouette looked almost old-fashioned next to the latest generation of aero gravel bikes.But the teams in Morgan Hill and Freiburg havent been sitting still. Behind the scenes, theyve been working on a major evolution that marks a genuine shift in philosophy for the 2026 Crux. Interesting Details of the Specialized S-Works Crux Highs Excellent acceleration Razor-sharp, direct handling Huge tire clearance of up to 55 mm Fully integrated, super-clean look Very low overall weight Lows Odd gearing choice straight from the factory. Frameset is only available as an expensive S-Works version in Europe. No internal frame storage in the name of weight savings. Key Facts Frame: S-Works Crux 12R carbon Tire clearance: Up to 55 mm, or 2.2 XC MTB tires Drivetrain: SRAM RED XPLR AXS (112) Wheelset: Roval Terra Aero CLX (50 mm rim depth, 27 mm internal width) Cockpit: Roval Terra Aero fully integrated cockpit Weight: 7.1 kg (Manufacturers Claim with 45 mm Pathfinder TLR) Frame weight: 789 g (claimed) Price: 13,999 complete bike with S-Works / 5,799 S-Works frameset Sizes: Six sizes from 49 to 61 Now the new Specialized Crux 5 rolls onto the stage. And with it, the Californians are finally abandoning any attempt to blend old-school cyclocross DNA with the demands of modern gravel racing. The Crux 5 is a pure gravel race weapon whose appearance has far more in common with the Tarmac SL8 than its more traditional predecessor.Behind the concept lies a holistic development philosophy. Rather than optimising aerodynamics purely in the wind tunnel, Specialized are trying to mathematically recreate the realities of gravel racing. To do this, they have collected real-world course data using sensors, including surface characteristics from the Unbound course in Kansas, and combined it with wind tunnel testing. The goal of these simulations is to solve what Specialized call the Equation of Speed. In simple terms, its about identifying where aero gains genuinely matter on a gravel bike, and where wider tires or greater comfort actually save more time in the real world than a theoretically perfect aero profile ever could.The claims around this model are certainly attention-grabbing. As well as a frame weight of just 789 g, the new frames Tarmac SL8-inspired design is said to reduce drag significantly. Combined with a huge increase in tire clearance of up to 55 mm, Specialized claim this setup can save riders like Sofia Gomez almost ten minutes over the 200-mile Unbound course in Kansas.Ahead of the official launch, we had the exclusive opportunity to spend two days riding with the Specialized development team on the dusty, muddy gravel tracks around the gravel mecca of Girona. So, does the equation actually add up? And can the Crux 5 really balance Tarmac-like speed with the agile handling the Crux is known for? We found out in our first ride review.A Tarmac on Steroids? The Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 in DetailOne glance is enough to see that Specialized have given the Crux an entirely new identity. Our test bike was finished in the beautifully detailed Silver Dust Metallic colourway. While the previous generation stood out with its timeless, almost delicate Aethos-inspired design, the Crux 5 now takes unmistakable visual cues from the Tarmac SL8. Lower seat stays, an aero seatpost and a sharply sculpted head tube make one thing immediately clear: the Crux borrows heavily from modern aero road bike design to minimise drag on fast gravel sections.This aero overhaul also marks the end of the traditional separate bar-and-stem setup. The Crux 5 now features fully integrated cable routing, with every line disappearing neatly inside the frame. Not only does this create an exceptionally clean look, its also likely responsible for a large share of the bikes aerodynamic gains. Things get particularly interesting when you look at the redesigned headset system. On the previous generation Crux, the original design caused notable issues for some riders under hard off-road use, often leading to frustratingly short maintenance intervals. Specialized have clearly addressed that here, fitting the Crux 5 with a newly developed headset system featuring significantly improved sealing, designed to shrug off the constant dirt and grime of gravel riding. But the real headline feature is hidden deep inside the carbon structure itself.A look at the rear end reveals that, despite the frames aero-focused redesign and the wide, deep-section wheels, the Crux 5 certainly doesnt skimp on clearance. Tire clearance has grown to a huge 55 mm, leaving enough room for XC mountain bike tires up to 2.2 wide. Even so, the complete bike still weighs just 7.1 kg. Specialized have managed to create loads of space for big-volume tires, without sacrificing the bikes slim, agile silhouette. In fact, the new Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels were specifically designed so that wider tires blend seamlessly into the rim profile for optimal aerodynamics.Anyone hoping the Crux 5 would feature integrated downtube storage like its more comfort-focused sibling, the Diverge, will come away disappointed. Specialized have dropped internal frame storage entirely in the name of uncompromising weight savings and frame stiffness. The Crux is meant to be a pure race machine, after all. That said, you dont have to give up on practicality altogether. The Californians have added new mounting points on the top tube for a bag, as well as mounts beneath the down tube for a third bottle cage or tool mount.If the S-Works flagship model sits outside your budget, the new model range introduces an interesting alternative. The new S-Level replaces the previous Pro platform. The idea is simple: Specialized are now pairing their slightly heavier but more affordable 10R carbon frame, complete with the classic Specialized logo, with the SRAM RED XPLR groupset, a spec level previously reserved exclusively for S-Works models. Below that, the range continues with the usual hierarchy down to the entry-level Comp model. Equipped with the electronic SRAM RIVAL AXS groupset, the range starts at 4,499. Riders looking to build their own dream setup, however, will need deep pockets. Specialized are only offering the S-Works version as a separate frameset, and it costs a hefty 5,799. For the European market, there are currently no plans to offer a more affordable S-Level frameset option.Only the Best: The Spec of the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026The new Crux 5 makes one thing crystal clear: the future of gravel racing is 1x. The frame has been designed exclusively around single-chainring drivetrains, and all of the models are equipped with SRAM XPLR groupsets. As youd expect, our S-Works flagship model features SRAM RED XPLR AXS. Oddly, it comes fitted with a 40 t chainring as standard. For a pure-bred gravel race bike built around maximum speed, that feels like a rather questionable choice. While it may be perfectly adequate for big climbs and recreational riders, anyone with serious race ambitions will find themselves spinning out far too quickly on fast descents and high-speed sections in the bunch. If you want to fight at the front aboard the Crux 5, youll want to swap straight to at least a 42 t chainring, or better still a 44 t or even 46 t setup.The rest of the build is packed, as expected, with Specializeds own top-tier components. At the rear, the aero seatpost borrowed from the Tarmac SL8 combines with the proven Power Mirror saddle to deliver excellent vibration damping and comfort. Up front, the new fully integrated Roval Terra Aero cockpit takes centre stage.Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 13,999SpecificationsSeatpost S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seat D-ShapedBrakes SRAM RED AXS 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM RED XPLR AXS 1 x 13Chainring 40 TStem Roval Terra Cockpit 90 mmHandlebar Roval Terra Cockpit 380 mmWheelset Roval Terra Aero CLX 12 x 100 / 12 x 142Tires Specialized Tracer TLR 700 x 50cCranks SRAM RED AXS DUB 170 mmCassette SRAM RED XPLR XG-1391-E1 10-46 TTechnical DataSize 49 52 54 56 58 61Weight 7,1 kgSpecific FeaturesVery wide tire clearanceMounting points on top and down tubeBeautifully detailed paint finishA real highlight of the build is the brand-new Roval Terra Aero CLX wheelset. The secret behind the so-called chopped aero design? The rim profile features the bulbous, airflow-optimised sidewall of a deep 60 mm rim, but cuts off abruptly to deliver a more compact real-world depth of just 50 mm. Combined with lightweight carbon spokes and a modern 27 mm internal rim width, the wheels perfectly reflect the current gravel racing trend towards wider rims. If you want to push the weight limit even further, the optional CLX III wheelset trims another 250 grams from the overall package.When it comes to the rubber, the Crux 5 comes fitted as standard with 45 mm Specialized Pathfinder TLR tires, an exceptionally fast option for tarmac and hard-packed gravel. But because the gravel tracks around Girona can be brutally unforgiving, Specialized swapped our test bikes onto 50 mm Specialized Tracer TLR tires for the launch rides. Thanks to their smooth, comfortable rolling characteristics, they inspire loads of confidence on loose terrain. Their only real downside is their slightly reduced cornering grip compared to the Pathfinder. If your riding regularly ventures into really rough and technical terrain, wed go straight for the Specialized Terra TLR instead, which already proved itself as a true grip benchmark in our big gravel tire group test, well beyond Specializeds own range.Geometry of the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026Specialized have deliberately tuned the Crux 5 for greater composure on gravel, leaving behind the somewhat twitchy cyclocross DNA of its predecessor. Available in six sizes, the sporty, stretched stack-to-reach ratio remains unchanged at exactly 1.44 in size 54. For maximum control at high speed, the bottom bracket now sits significantly lower. BB drop has increased from 72 mm to a substantial 78 mm, lowering the centre of gravity, and delivering exceptional cornering stability, despite the high-volume tires. Combined with a head angle thats 0.5 slacker, the wheelbase grows to 1,026 mm.Size495254565861Top Tube512 mm534 mm543 mm566 mm583 mm603 mmSeat Tube445 mm456 mm473 mm497 mm515 mm545 mmHead Tube95 mm110 mm125 mm142 mm163 mm188 mmHead Angle70.570.757171.571.571.5Seat Angle75.574.574.5747474Chainstay425 mm425 mm425 mm425 mm425 mm425 mmBB Drop80 mm80 mm78 mm78 mm78 mm78 mmWheelbase1,008 mm1,016 mm1,026 mm1,039 mm1,057 mm1,078 mmReach375 mm382 mm388 mm400 mm412 mm425 mmStack530 mm547 mm560 mm578 mm598 mm621 mmDespite the huge tire clearance for rubber up to 55 mm wide, chainstay length remains a compact 425 mm to preserve the bikes sharp, lively acceleration. The cockpit further underlines the Crux 5s modern race ambitions. Instead of the standard 400 mm bar width on our size 54 test bike, we opted for the narrowest version, with a 380 mm width at the tops. This trend creates a noticeably more aerodynamic silhouette, and its a refinement wed strongly recommend to anyone with narrower shoulders, or with ambitions of squeezing out every last aero gain.Eat My Dust: The Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 in ReviewThe dusty gravel roads around the gravel mecca of Girona, baked hard under the Catalan sun, are a paradise for cyclists. Theyre also a brutally honest testing ground for bikes. Spend any time riding the trails here and you quickly realise that loose gravel, harsh washboard sections and technical singletrack dont forgive mistakes. Thanks to the almost biblical rainfall in the days leading up to our test, Catalonia also served up a challenging mix of sticky clay, deep dust and rough rocky terrain.Its on this exact kind of demanding terrain that the Crux 5 immediately shows what its made of. The moment you put the power down, you almost forget youre riding a gravel bike. Specialized have created an absolute riot of a machine here. The low overall weight of just 7.1 kg, combined with the bikes impressive stiffness, delivers explosive acceleration. Every pedal stroke is translated instantly into forward momentum, without the slightest hesitation.The real magic happens once the terrain turns technical and gravity takes over. Despite geometry designed around high-speed stability, the handling remains wonderfully direct and razor sharp. The bike flicks through tight switchbacks and rock-strewn sections with playful ease and intuitive precision. At the same time, the front end inspires huge confidence, with none of the nervous twitchiness or vague steering feel you sometimes get from ultra-responsive race bikes.Comfort levels are surprisingly high, too. Much of that comes from the high-volume tires and the ergonomic Power Mirror saddle, both of which add a welcome layer of smoothness to the ride. Up front, the new integrated Roval Terra Aero cockpit also impresses. The carbon construction delivers noticeable flex that effectively reduces strain on your wrists during long, rough descents especially in the drops. The ride feel strikes an almost perfect balance, combining maximum trail feedback with exactly the amount of comfort you need to keep pushing hard, even on the final climb, after hours in the saddle. Tuning tip: fit a narrower cockpit for maximum aero gains, and pair it with wider Specialized Terra TLR tires for improved grip.By the end of the test day, with red Catalan dust caked everywhere and the brakes grinding from sand on the final descent, any theoretical doubts have disappeared. Despite all the supercomputer simulations and mathematical efficiency formulas, Specialized havent stripped the Crux of its soul. Quite the opposite: This bike is outrageously fun.Who is the Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 For?The new S-Works Crux 5 is all about pure racing performance, without punishing the rider with excessive harshness. While the previous generation excelled primarily as a climbing specialist for twisty courses and punchy ascents, it could often feel nervous on rough terrain, especially once speeds increased. The fifth-generation Crux delivers a noticeably more rounded and versatile overall package. Its the ultimate all-round weapon for ambitious racers who want to fight for the front at Unbound Gravel just as much as they want to hammer out fast after-work rides.Helmet Specialized S-Works Evade 4 | Glasses Oakley Radar EV Path | Jersey PAS NORMAL STUDIOS Mechanism Jersey | Bibs PAS NORMAL STUDIOS Mechanism Bib Shoes Specialized S-Works Recon EVO | Socks Specialized Air Tall LogoConclusionThe new Specialized S-Works Crux 5 is a successful reinvention of an icon. Specialized prove that their data-driven development approach is far more than just sterile marketing speak you can genuinely feel the benefit out on the trail. What was once a lightweight purist in its fourth generation has evolved into an aerodynamically optimised high-speed race machine that pushes the boundaries of modern gravel racing even further. Despite the clear visual and technical influence of the Tarmac SL8, the Crux 5 hasnt lost any of its trademark playful character. Combined with massive tire clearance of up to 55 mm, it delivers a coherent and impressively versatile overall package, finally leaving behind its image as a stripped-back cyclocross racer.TopsPlayful handlingDirect acceleration on climbs thanks to the low weight and high stiffnessErgonomic and comfortable cockpitLoads of clearance for wide tiresBeautifully detailed paint finishFlopsUndersized stock chainringNo affordable frameset optionFor more information, visit specialized.com.Der Beitrag New Specialized S-Works Crux 2026 First Ride Review: Saying Goodbye to Cyclocross erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Wheels Manufacturing just announced new aluminum chainrings in four sizes, two tooth profiles, and seven anodized colors. Made for modern gravel drivetrains, these new chainrings are compatible with both Shimano and SRAM chains. Find details belowThe post Wheels Manufacturing Gravel Chainrings Are Compatible with SRAM and Shimano appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The Specialized Crux has always been a bit of a beautiful outlier. It started life as a cyclocross race bike, got dragged into gravel before gravel became the monster it is now, and somehow became the go-to machine for riders who wanted a gravel bike that didnt feel like a gravel bike.Light, sharp, simple, and very fast.(Photo/Specialized)Now the all-new Specialized Crux 5 takes that idea and adds the one thing the previous Crux didnt lean into quite as hard: aerodynamics.But this isnt just a we made the tubes deeper, please clap update. Specialized is calling the new S-Works Crux 5 the fastest gravel race bike it has ever made, not simply because it is lighter, more aero, or clears a monster tire. But because they have the data to back it up. Time To FinishThe fastest gravel bike weve ever made claim is based on what Specialized calls Time to Finish. This calculation is a full-course performance model that rolls aero drag, weight, rolling resistance, surface roughness, environmental conditions, and rider power into a single number. Its kinda nuts, but wait till you hear about how they crunch the numbers and the potential time saved.That number? Specialized says the new Crux 5 would have saved Sofia Gomez Villafae 9 minutes and 58 seconds on the 2025 Unbound Gravel course compared to the previous Crux 4.How did they arrive at those numbers? Well each Specialized off-road athlete supported race-day telemetry packssmall enough to run under the saddle, used in actual competition (more on this later)But Im not gonna let the Time to Finish or the Equation of Speed steal the show, even though its a big part of the Crux 5 story. Were here to talk about the all-new Crux 5.Specialized Crux 5 Whats New? So, if you took the top half of a Tarmac SL8 and the bottom half of a Crux 4 and put them together, you would basically have the new Crux 5. I mean, its much more refined than that, but basically thats what we have here. Specialized went all in on gravel, and now the Crux lives on as a more aero-focused gravel machine built for the worlds toughest gravel events.Frame UpdatesThe frame still has the bones of the Crux 4, but the tubes are clearly more sculpted. The fork is the most visually striking update. The design team traded the thinly sculpted fork of the Crux 4 for a larger, deeper sectioned design with massive mud clearance. The round seatpost is gone, traded for the exact seatpost design from the Tarmac SL8. There is no internal frame storage or bag mounting points (except for a new toptube bento bag mount). There is no identity crisis anymore. The Crux is an all-out gravel race machine.Despite its updated aero treatment, the Crux 5 isnt a bloated performative aero-looking machine. The new S-Works Crux 5 gets a claimed 789g FACT 12r carbon frame, complete builds starting at 6.9kg. So its still a pretty light bike, and now it has clearance for up to 55mm / 2.2 in tires (that includes 5mm for mud clearance).So how aero is it? Specialized also claims the bike is 15.2 watts faster than the Crux 4 at 45kph when tested with its moving-leg rider mannequin in its Win Tunnel. The company says roughly half of the aero improvement comes from the frame, fork, and seatpost. But thats only half of it: 30% of that aero claim comes from the new Roval Terra Aero wheels, and 20% from the Terra cockpit. So, yes, this is a frame launch, but it is also very much a system launch.Time to Finish: Specializeds Gravel Math ProblemInstead of focusing on a single lab result, Specialized says it built the Crux 5 around the same Equation of Speed mindset used in the Tarmac SL8.On the road, aero tends to dominate the conversation. On gravel, it gets more complicated. Speeds are lower, rolling resistance is higher, tire choice matters more, and the surface changes constantly. Weight still matters, but not in isolation. Aero matters, but only if it doesnt wreck the rider, the tire clearance, handling, or comfort.That is where the Time to Finish model comes in.Specialized says the model uses measured data from aerodynamics, frame weight, rolling resistance, surface roughness, weather, course profile, and rider output to predict total elapsed race time over a real route. Its wild stuff and used pretty frequently in Formula 1 and World Cup mountain bike racing, but this is the first time Im hearing it applied to gravel bike racing.Always Unbound For the development of Crux 5, the brand used Unbound Gravel as the key benchmark. If you want to test a gravel race bike, Unbound is pretty much the final boss: 200 miles, high-speed pack racing, rough sectors, exposed wind, deep fatigue, and enough tire-choice anxiety to ruin a week leading up to the race.Specialized even collected surface data from race-day telemetry packs mounted under riders saddles. That small black box under Matt Beers saddle at the 2025 Unbound? It was collecting surface vibration data in real time using accelerometers (I totally thought it was a saddle bag last year).That means Specialized now has telemetry data from:Multiple elite gravel racesThousands of kilometersEvery major gravel surface typeThis data feeds directly into their Time-to-Finish simulations. And as for the Sofia Gomez Villafae data, heres what the team runs to get the Equation of Speed compared to her previous time on the Crux 4:15.2 watts less aerodynamic dragA 789-gram frame7.1 kg system weightHyper-accurate surface telemetryElite rider power profilesIt all adds up to 9:58 minutes saved, according to Specializeds calculations.Playbook: Aero From the Tarmac & Weight From the AethosThe previous Crux was already extremely light, but it was not shaped like a modern aero gravel bike. The Crux 5 changes that without turning into a heavy aero sled.Specialized says development borrowed heavily from the Tarmac SL8 program (duh!). Early test mules mixed Crux and Tarmac DNA, including Crux frames with Tarmac-inspired seat tubes, rear ends, seatposts, and aero fork concepts.The final bike is much more sculpted than the outgoing model, but Specialized was careful not to lose what made the Crux feel like a Crux. That means low weight, quick acceleration, and a ride quality that does not punish you for choosing speed over comfort. Plus, it looks like a bike that you want to ride, and I applaud Specialized for that, because, in a world of overly aero-looking bikes, its hard to make something that still looks visually appealing and not just fast. Flow State DesignThe 789g S-Works frame uses FACT 12r carbon and a design approach Specialized calls Flow State Design, first used on the Aethos. The basic idea is that the tube shape carries more of the load, so the frame needs less excess material to hit stiffness, strength, and ride targets.That gives Specialized a neat trick: aero tube shapes without the usual weight penalty, and the tubes arent as exaggerated in appearance. The S-Works Crux 5 complete build starts at a claimed 6.9kg, and Specialized says even the aero setup with Terra Aero CLX III wheels comes in at around 7.1kg.Bigger Tires, No Aero Penalty?The biggest real-world update might be tire clearance.The new Crux 5 clears up to 55mm / 2.2in tires, which puts it right where modern gravel racing is heading. A few years ago, 40mm felt big. Then 45mm became normal. Now top riders are looking at 50mm and larger for certain courses because bigger tires can roll faster on rough terrain, hold traction better, and stave off some fatigue.Specialized says the Crux 5 was designed around that reality. The bike can run big tires without giving up the handling or low weight that made the Crux popular.Even better, Specialized claims that a 50mm Tracer tire on the new Roval Terra Aero CLX wheel has the same drag as a 45mm Tracer on the previous Terra CLX II wheel. Meaning riders can upsize for traction, comfort, and rolling efficiency without incurring the usual aero penalty.Geometry: Less Do-it-All & More Stable The Crux has never been a couch. It is a race bike. The new one still sounds like a race bike, but Specialized has made a few updates to better match bigger tires and its formal turn away from cyclocross and into gravel forever. The new Crux 5 gets a longer reach and is designed around shorter stems. It also gets a 0.5-degree slacker head angle, a lower bottom bracket, and a 0.5-degree steeper seat angle.This updated geometery gives the bike more stability at speed, a more planted feel with big tires, and a more efficient seated position without completely dulling the handling.Specialized says the goal was to make the bike feel more confident in the terrain, not perched on top of it. That tracks with where race gravel has gone. The fastest riders are no longer tiptoeing around chunky sections. They are rolling through it, choosing lines, trusting volume, and trying to preserve speed.The tricky part was keeping the Crux lively. A bike can be stable and still feel dead on the road. Specialized says it matched the compliance and stiffness targets of the Crux 4 while adding the aero gains, so the new bike should still have that familiar snap.Rider-First Layups Across the Size RangeSpecialized is also carrying over its Rider-First Engineered approach. Each frame size, from 49cm to 61cm, gets its own layup schedule to keep the ride feel consistent. That means 5 5 Sophia Gomez Villafae and 6 5 Matt Beers will have the same experience on the Crux 5 as folks in the sweet spot zone, like the 54-56cm crowd.That matters more than most spec sheets make it sound. A 49cm frame and a 61cm frame should not feel like two totally different bikes wearing the same paint. With size-specific layups, Specialized is trying to keep stiffness, compliance, and handling balanced across the full range.Specialized Crux 5: Models & Pricing Specialized will offer the Crux 5 in a full spread of race-ready builds, from the no-excuses S-Works Crux 5 AXS down to the more attainable Comp. The top-shelf S-Works model lands at $14,000 with the FACT 12r frame and fork, Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels, SRAM RED AXS XPLR, Terra cockpit, S-Works Power with Mirror saddle, and CeramicSpeed bearings.Introducing S-LevelLike S-Works, but S-Level. The interesting addition is the new Crux 5 S-Level AXS, which essentially takes over the slot where a Pro model would normally live in Specializeds lineup. The S-Level build is something new from Specialized. The S-Level build gets a FACT 10r frame rather than the S-Works-only FACT 12r chassis, but the build kit is still very much halo-level.For the S-Level build, you get SRAM RED XPLR 13-speed, a Quarq power meter, Roval Terra Aero CL wheels (not CLX), the integrated Roval Terra cockpit, Power Pro Mirror saddle, and an S-Works Tarmac SL8 carbon seatpost. Claimed frame weight is 897g, with a complete bike weight of 7.7kg in size 56.That makes the S-Level the nearly S-Works option. The S-Level hasthe same top-tier drivetrain and much of the same premium finishing kit, just with the 10R frame and a lower price of $10,500. Color options include Deep Marine Metallic/Dolomite Metallic and Redwood Metallic/White, with sizing from 49 to 61cm.The Crux 5 Expert AXS comes in at $7,000 with a FACT 10r frame, FACT 12r fork, Terra C III wheels, SRAM Force AXS XPLR, and a two-piece Terra bar and stem.The Crux 5 Comp opens the complete-bike range at $4,500. Framesets are available too, with the S-Works Crux 5 frameset at $5,800 and the Crux 5 10r frameset at $3,500.Crux Is Still Crux, But Commited to Gravel The Crux story started in 2010 as a dedicated cyclocross race bike. It won world titles in the mud, found its way into gravel long before the category looked like it does now, and in 2021 became the ultralight gravel race bike that helped define the current Crux identity.The Crux 5 feels like the next logical step, and as a cyclocrosser, Im not mad about it. The weight is still wild. The clearance is finally massive. The aero story is much stronger. And Specialized has wrapped the whole thing in a race simulation model that feels equal parts nerdy, useful, and extremely on-brand.(Photo/Jordan Villella)What about the cyclocrossers who now face another raceable option being pulled from shelves? Well, theres always the Crux DSW, and though its an alloy machine, its still got that snap of the Crux 3/4 with a price thats still in 2021.But the direction is obvious. Modern gravel race bikes are no longer just road bikes with clearance. They are becoming their own thing: aero enough to matter, light enough to climb, stable enough to handle huge tires, and efficient enough to make the last two hours of a race slightly less cruel.The new Crux 5 is Specializeds cleanest answer yet to that formula.Fast, light, aero, and finally roomy enough for the tire choices gravel racers are actually making.Specialized.com The post Specialized Crux 5 Commits To Gravel & Goes Full Tarmac Mode appeared first on Bikerumor.

The damage to the entrance of the cycle hub at Gravesend Railway Station comes a year after another bike storage unit at nearby Chatham station was boarded up for three months following an act of vandalism