Specialized Crux 5 S-Level first-ride review: this could be the perfect do-it-all drop-bar bike

After looking as though it had fallen behind the latest trends, Specialized has finally launched its revamped Crux gravel race bike as an aero-optimised all-rounder.

The new, fifth-generation Crux sees the bike’s classic styling and round tubes dropped in favour of a design inspired by its road racing bikes, such as the Tarmac SL8.

As is so often the case with Specialized bikes and kit, the new Crux 5 comes with a bucket load of bold performance claims. It is, the brand says, “the fastest gravel bike ever made” and the theoretical gains are measured in minutes, not seconds, saved at races such as Unbound Gravel.

Yet while Specialized can often be accused of hyperbole, it’s fair to say it has nailed it with the Crux 5 – at least on first impressions.

Having spent 70km bashing the new Crux 5 S-Level up and down the dusty, hilly gravel trails in the Costa Brava region of north east Spain, I came away thoroughly impressed.

Could this be the ideal ‘one drop-bar bike for everything’? It’s hard to think of many better options.

Specialized Crux 5 S-Level performance

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Crux 5 rides how it looks – like a fast road bike with big tyres.

We had a fairly big group with plenty of strong riders out in Spain, and all things considered, the Crux 5 was an ideal bike for this kind of fast bunch riding over rolling terrain.

Whether we were going uphill, downhill or gunning it on the flat, it was impressively composed yet agile enough to not feel boring.

Despite the big, cushy tyres, it’s still reactive and firm – especially at the front end.

As well as offering some aero gains compared to the two-piece setup on the previous Crux, the new Roval Terra cockpit is said to be 78 per cent more compliant in the drops than the Roval Rapide cockpit on the Tarmac SL8. Nevertheless, it didn’t feel noticeably flexy and I could still feel all of the big hits.

Given this is a gravel race bike, I think that’s the right balance, though – I don’t think many racers want a bike to feel vague or flexible under power, and if that means giving up a little comfort I suspect most will be fine with the compromise.

On the subject of big hits, Specialized made big noises before our ride about the extra-wide 'FlatStop' bead hooks on the new Terra Aero rims, and their ability to ward off pinch flats. It’s fair to say I can’t remember a single puncture amongst the group during our 70km of riding – despite myself and plenty of others hittingf rocks, ruts and roots at speed throughout the ride.

I haven’t ridden the old Crux, so I can’t make direct comparisons or comment on whether the geometry tweaks are for better or worse, but I was perfectly happy with the Crux 5’s handling and fit in isolation.

We started our ride with a long, fast off-road descent, and I was able to settle quickly into a rhythm and ride with confidence.

The only area where I found the new Crux wanting was the 50mm Specialized Tracer TLR tyres.

Although generally supple and decently fast-rolling, they didn’t have quite as much grip as I’d hoped for from a mixed-terrain gravel tyre on the steep, dusty descents.

Myself and a few other journalists had some sketchy moments losing traction under braking, which obviously meant we had to be mindful of how fast we were approaching corners.

If you believe the data from sources such as bicyclerollingresistance.com, they also give up a few watts compared to similar options such as the Schwalbe G-One R Pro. They even come out a little slower than proper XC tyres such as the Continental Dubnital, Schwalbe Thunder Burt or even the Rick XC.

Tyres, though, are an easy swap, and doubtless everyone has their favourites, so it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

Should the Crux 5 have 32in wheels?

As I write this, the hype train for 32in wheels is gathering enormous pace – especially with the news that 2025 Unbound winner, Cameron Jones, will be lining up at this year’s race on a prototype 32in Scott gravel bike.

The question occurred to me, then, whether the Crux 5 and the raft of other new 700c / 29in gravel bikes that have leaked or launched recently may very soon find themselves behind the technological curve. Especially if Jones takes another Unbound win on that prototype Scott and gravel racers subsequently decide 32in wheels are a ‘must have’ feature.

The answer, unfortunately, is that we simply don’t know yet.

We’ve not had a 32in gravel race bike in to test, so it’s not clear exactly what the advantages and disadvantages are yet, and, crucially, whether the former outweigh the latter.

Likewise, you often don’t want to buy into the first generation of a significant new bit of bike tech anyway – because it can take a few iterations before all of the issues get ironed out.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on how this trend develops, though, because if you’re thinking about dropping a large sum of money on a new gravel bike in the near future, there could soon be a real decision to make about which wheel size to choose.

Specialized Crux 5 S-Level bottom line

With the caveat that I’ve only ridden for a few hours on the Crux 5, I came away feeling impressed.

Specialized has done its homework here, and while I’m sure there’ll be brands and riders that disagree with the balance of weight and aero the Crux strikes, it’s undoubtedly a very capable all-rounder race bike, and something I’d be very happy to own.

Of course, as always with Specialized, it ain’t cheap… but you probably knew that already.

There are cheaper builds in the Crux 5 range than the S-Level model I tested, of course, and if I were spending my own money I’d be looking at one of those. Alternatively, if I lived in the US or Australia, where it’s available, I might go for the $3,500 / AU$5,000 10r frameset option, so I could build it up with existing parts.

Although I'd want to do further testing to be sure, it could also be a fantastic 'quiver killer' bike – a 'one drop-bar bike for everything' – if you had a few chainring and tyre options (Continental’s new 35mm GP5000 S TR springs to mind), which would make it easier to justify the cost of one of the pricier models.