8/30/2018 Update: See the 2019 line of Specialized CruX carbon and E5 alloy cyclocross bikes here.
Last week, Specialized unveiled the 2018 models of the Allez, CruX cyclocross bike and Diverge gravel bike. We offered our initial observations about the new CruX and Diverge in an earlier post, and today we take a look at what riders can expect from the two Specialized off-road bikes. We also take a more in-depth look at the CruX Expert X1 and S-Works Diverge models.
2018 Specialized CruX
Earlier this year at the Sea Otter Classic, we took a first look at Cody Kaiser’s new S-Works CruX. We noted a stripped-down design built specifically for racing. Specialized unveiled the 2018 CruX to the public last week, and our initial observations were largely proven correct.
One of the big changes to the 2018 CruX Specialized advertised is the removal of several parts in an effort to save weight on the race-specific machine. To that end, Specialized claims the 2018 CruX is up to 300 grams lighter than last year's version. The seat collar has been removed and incorporated into the base of the top tube, as it is on the Tarmac, the seatstay bridge has been removed, and many of the CruX models come with a 1x configuration with no front derailleur mount.
As with most bikes produced by companies like Specialized, the CruX comes in a range of builds depending on what riders are looking for. At the top end of the price spectrum is the S-Works CruX, which is interestingly built with 22-speed gearing, that retails for $7,500. The carbon frame options not under the S-Works banner range in price from the Expert X1 ($4,200) down to the Sport ($2,800), and the two aluminum alloy options are the $1400 CruX E5 and the $2,000 CruX Sport E5.
In the slideshow below we take a look at the available builds of the 2018 CruX, and we also take a more in-depth look at the Expert X1 model.
The 2018 Specialized CruX Expert X1 model. See the slideshow below for a more in-depth look at what this model has to offer. (photo: Specialized)
2018 Specialized Diverge
Bike manufacturers can choose to design their cyclocross bikes as more of a Swiss Army Knife, do-it-all machine, or focus on making them geared specifically for racing. With a cyclocross bike designed specifically for racing, Specialized also offers the Diverge, which is geared more toward long distance gravel and off-road riding.
When we first saw the new CruX at Sea Otter, we were a little surprised it did not include the Future Shock micro-suspension technology, but we were correct when we said we expected to see it on the Diverge gravel bike. The Future Shock is positioned above the head tube and offers 20mm of travel for comfort on longer bumpy rides. The 2018 Diverge also includes a wide frame that accommodates wheels up to 42mm wide on the carbon options and 38mm wide on the aluminum alloy models.
Similar to the CruX, the Diverge has front and rear 12mm thru axles with flat mount disc brakes. The $4,000 Diverge Expert model features Roval SLX 24 wheels, a SRAM Force groupset, and 11-speed 42T, 11-42 gearing. The step up to the $9,000 S-Works model moves to Roval 32X carbon rims, Di2 shifting and a dropper seat post.
In addition to the high-end S-Works and Expert models, the Diverge is offered in several more affordable builds. There are two carbon frame options - the Comp ($3,000) and Sport ($2,100) - and four aluminum alloy models ranging in price from the E5 ($970) to the Comp E5 ($1,800).
The slideshow below provides a look at the builds and pricing of the 2018 CruX models and a more in-depth look at the CruX Expert X1.
The top-end 2018 S-Works Diverge. See the slideshow for a more in-depth look at this gravel machine. (photo: Specialized)
Slideshow: 2018 Specialized CruX and Diverge Models
The S-Works Diverge model uses Shimano R785 Di2 shifting on the 1x, 11-speed configuration. Also shown is the Command Post XCP lever. (photo: Specialized)
