Earlier this month, Specialized released a brand new version of the CruX. No longer a just cyclocross bike, the redesign introduced a new geometry and a major design change to the long-standing platform. Ahead of the launch, we saw Maghalie Rochette riding the then-unreleased bike at Charm City. While she didn’t race the bike it was on hand and she rode it around the venue. Following the launch, however, Rochette fully embraced the bike and raced it at all of the American World Cups. We got a closer look in Waterloo at Rochette’s custom-painted CruX.
Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Specialized’s redesign introduced a new profile to the CruX family, which now includes two frame layups. Rochette’s S-Works features a 12r carbon recipe to provide the stiffest and lightest chassis Specialized can produce, 725g in this case, resulting in a 16.5lb complete bike. We should note that Rochette and her team were somewhat surprised by the weight and were anticipating a lighter build. Of course, her frame has a complex paint scheme that surely adds significant weight.
Although light by any standard, Rochette's bike was heavier than expected. Of course, custom paint is never light. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
The frame's refresh isn't a total surprise to Rochette, she had a hand in designing it. "Two years ago, [Specialized] asked me what I thought would be cool to have on a new ’cross bike. For me a big thing was a light weight," the Pan-American Champion said, "it was already light but in ’cross, especially with shouldering, it's really nice when the bike is super light...I knew it was also for gravel. Honestly, I was worried, but I think they did a good job."
As part of the redesign, the frame has gained a threaded bottom bracket and an external seat post collar, two changes from the previous iteration of the CruX that we loved despite parts build complaints. On the subject of bottom brackets, the CruX has gotten lower, but Rochette doesn't think that's bad. "It's actually really nice for when you're riding on the road or gravel cause its more stable, but I don't feel like it hinders how you ride on the ’cross bike," she said.
While Rochette is subject to the UCI's 33mm maximum tire width rule, there's a good chance the bottom bracket height remains the same as the previous CruX for retail-paying customers, simply because cyclocross and gravel tires have gotten bigger.
The two-tone paint on Rochette's bike is meant to show the different personalities she presents on and off the course. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
The bike was given a custom paint job. "The whole concept was imagined by this awesome designer at Specialized, her name is Elana Acker," Rochette said, "It was kind of cool cause we chatted for like 30 minutes and she figured me out." The two-tone purple paint represents Rochette’s on and off-bike personality; while she's very outgoing and friendly off-course, in racing she adopts a more serious tone.
In the rear triangle is a collection from Taylor Swift. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
The personalization goes further with song lyrics hidden throughout the finish.
Song lyrics are hidden throughout the bike, like these from Eminem and Lil Wayne. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Rochette's custom paint represents her in and out-of-competition personalities. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Roval, Specialized’s component and wheel brand, supplied CLX50 carbon tubulars. The wheels use a 50mm carbon rim laced to Roval-designed hubs with DT Swiss t-head spokes, and the hubs feature DT Swiss internals.
Roval hubs feature DT Swiss internals. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Rochette also used Specialized tires in Wisconsin, with the Tracer intermediate tread on display for Waterloo’s fast course.
The Tracer tread uses a lightning bolt pattern to create a tread with a lot of surface area on soft terrain, but maintains a fast profile on harder surfaces. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Rochette is a SRAM athlete and as such her bike was equipped with a Red AXS drivetrain.
RED AXS is SRAM's flagship drivetrain. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Although the CruX is 2x compatible, the Pan-American Champion chose a 1x drivetrain with a Red AXS power crank. She equipped it with a pair of orange Xpedo CXR pedals.
Xpedo CXR pedals have a prominent front claw to assist in muddy entry. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Disc brake AXS shifters use SRAM HRD brake calipers, which Rochette paired with Centerlock compatible SRAM Centerline rotors.
Rochette used a 160mm rotor in the front. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Although Roval has a line of cockpit components, Rochette chose SRAM subsidiary Zipp for her components with Service Course SL alloy on display for the handlebar and stem, clad in purple Lizard Skins tape.
Rochette used alloy Zipp components for her cockpit. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Her seat post was also a Zipp Service Course product, but Rochette chose carbon here, and topped it with an S-Works Power Mimic saddle.
Rochette's S-Works saddle keeps the weight down with carbon rails. Maghalie Rochette's new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
See the full photo gallery below the specs.
Maghalie Rochette’s 2022 Alter Ego S-Works CruX
Frame: S-Works CruX, 12r carbon, threaded bottom bracket, 12x142mm thru-axle, tapered head tube, internal cable routing, flat mount disc
Fork: S-Works CruX, 12x100mm thru-axle, tapered full carbon steerer, flat mount disc
Shift/Brake Levers: SRAM Red eTap AXS Shift/Brake Levers
Brake Calipers: SRAM Red eTAP AXS HRD, flat mount disc
Rotors: SRAM Centerline, 160mm front, 140mm rear
Crankset: SRAM Red 1 AXS
Chain Ring: SRAM X-Sync 2
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red eTap AXS
Cassette: SRAM AXS
Chain: SRAM Flat top 12 speed
Wheels: Roval CLX50 carbon tubulars
Tires: S-Works Tracer tubulars, 700c x 33mm
Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, alloy
Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL, alloy
Seatpost: Zipp Service Course SL (20), carbon
Saddle: S-Works Power Mimic
Pedals: Xpedo CXR
More Info: specialized.com
Maghalie Rochette's S-Works Cyclocross Bike Photo Gallery:
It’s not quite as light as Rochette and Specialized touted, but it’s still a light bike. Maghalie Rochette’s new 2022 Specialized CruX cyclocross / gravel bike. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
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