Specialized CruX Cyclocross Bikes in Stock at Ben's Cycle

Ben's Cycle just received its first shipment of the 2014-15 edition of the Specialized CruX cyclocross bikes, and they look amazing. We did get one 49cm Ui2-equipped carbon, a size that can be a challenge to find!

We took some out for a test ride. We raced the carbon CruX and the aluminum CruX E5 in all sorts of conditions last year. The bikes had a tight, responsive geometry. What we liked best about the geometry of the CruX was how balanced it was: We felt like we were centered properly on the bike, neither too far forward or too far back. Plus the stiffness in the bottom bracket and the front end meant our power use was very efficient.

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This year's models are the same frames with different paint schemes for both the carbon and aluminum models.

Specialized took its time to develop a cross-specific bike, and with input from multiple national champion Todd Wells and the California Giant Strawberry pro team, created a race-specific geometry that flows through corners and nimbly jumps out of them. 

Bicycling Magazine did a review of the CruX Expert, which you can test ride at Ben's. 

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Here is an excerpt from a review of the top-level CruX from cyclingnews.com:
"...the CruX is a match made in heaven for efficiency-minded riders who tend to rely on explosive bursts of speed in a race. It's an absolute rocket ship under power, with an ultra-stout backbone that doesn't yield even a little when you're mashing on the pedals."

Thinking of Cyclocross: A Review of the Specialized Crux

Cyclocross Magazine reviewed the Specialized Pro Race Crux in a recent issue, and we're reposting it here. 

While the reviewed bike is the super duper high-end cross race bike, Specialized also has the same frame with different levels of components at a lower cost. 

This is the frame I rode last year, and until we get the Milwaukee Bicycle Company Mettle, is by far the best cross race bike I've been on. I've ridden a variety of other brands, and the carbon Crux is the lightest, stiffest, and most responsive bike. 

I built it up with SRAM Force components, Avid BB7 brakes, and a Giro cockpit. I had zero issues with the bike during the season, including the disc brakes. 

It rides long, in that it carves through corners rather than twitches through them. When you come into a corner, the frame is so stiff, you rocket out of the corner as soon as you stand on the pedals. 

The front end is stiff, yet compliant in rough conditions. I felt completely secure in navigating steep, rutted, technical downhill sections. The bike felt perfectly balanced. 

I'm keeping the Crux as my road bike. The Mettle is going to be the race bike of the future, and I can't wait to ride steel again. 

For those of you who need carbon for cross, the Crux is really the only bike you need to try. 

Come to Ben's to try out our line of Milwaukee Bicycle Company, Specialized, and Focus cyclocross bikes as well as tires and all the other gear you'll need for your cross season. It's never too early to get ready for cyclocross! 

Elle Anderson's Specialized Crux

Elle Anderson has been ripping up the U.S. cross scene this fall, including two wins at the Trek Cup in Watertown, WI. She's been riding the new Specialized Crux.

I've been riding the Crux this fall, and while I haven't won any races (yet), this bike is the best cross bike I've ever ridden. It's so stiff and burly, and I feel perfectly balanced on the bike. I've been able to take corners tighter and more confidently than ever before.

Here's the cyclingnews.com review:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-elle-andersons-specialized-crux-pro-race