We knew the carbon Crux. Here comes the aluminum Crux. But be careful, Specialized takes the opportunity to highlight its innovative frame manufacturing process, to “reinvent” gravel.
In short :
- The Crux DSW Comp is a gravel bike from Specialized using an ultra-light aluminum frame.
- The fully assembled bike weighs less than 9.5 kg. It is equipped with a complete mechanical Sram Apex groupset.
- Good point, this bike puts the geometry of the Crux within the reach of a greater number of cyclists. Where the Crux Comp in carbon starts at €4000, the Crux DSW Comp in aluminum is sold for €2700.
Aluminum is not dead in the world of sports cycling, far from it. Better still, some manufacturers strive to improve it. This is the case of Specialized which presents the Crux DSW, its lightest aluminum gravel.
Derived from the carbon Crux, the latter puts within reach of cyclists with less generous wallets a very attractive bike which must retain the dynamism and agility acclaimed by this bike, on an aluminum frame associated with an S-Work carbon fork Fact.
All with lightness since the complete Crux DSW is given for a weight of 9.37 kg in size 56, and its frame kit at 1399 grams. Note that the wheel arches are the same as on the carbon version and provide compatibility with tires up to 47 mm in section, on 650b (27.5″) wheels.
DSW, a very interesting process for assembling the frame
You may be wondering what does “DSW” mean? Well this simply refers to the frame welding process called D’Alusio Smartweld and patented by Specialized. A technology which uses hydroforming and allows for much more precise joints between the different tubes of the frame. We have already seen it at work on bikes such as the Allez Sprint road bike or the Chisel mountain bike.
As a result, we can obtain a more durable frame, using less material and having more qualitative welds. Also, this allows the frame design to be more reinforced where it’s really needed, without adding weight to areas of the frame that don’t need it. Specialized says it can offer a robust frame without sacrificing the liveliness or responsiveness of the bike.
For the rest, the Crux DSW Comp is mounted with a Specialized Adventure Gear flared handlebar (12°), a sports saddle and a complete Sram Apex 12-speed groupset: hydraulic brakes, 40T crankset, 11-44 cassette, mechanical Apex XPLR derailleur. , etc.
As original equipment, the bike is supplied with DT GT540 (“tubeless ready” of course) 28″ (700c) wheels, shod with Specialized Pathfinder 2BR 38 mm tires.
The price of this machine to tackle the road and the paths? €2700. The Specialized online store indicates upcoming availability in two colors: off-white or smoke gray.
In the Paris suburbs, this forty-something father of 2 children rides a bike every day in a (fairly) sporty way, on and off the road. Wants to go on long hikes to discover new landscapes.
