Pro Bike: Maghalie Rochette’s Specialized CruX Catches the CX Fever at RenoCross

Before the start of the 2018 domestic cyclocross season, longtime team Clif Pro Team rider Maghalie Rochette broke with her team following a terminal diagnosis with CX Fever.

With her ’cross-related malady, Rochette left the Clif Pro Team and announced her new solo CX Fever program with Specialized and Ten Speed Hero to focus specifically on scratching her cyclocross itch.

Rochette has had a strong start to the season with her new CX Fever p/b Specialized program. 2018 RenoCross Women's race. © J. Silva / Cyclocross Magazine

Rochette’s Fever flared at the inaugural edition of RenoCross as she ran away with a victory pretty much from the opening whistle.

We profile her practically pandemic machine, shot in quarantine under the lights following her win.

Maghalie Rochette's winning Specialized Crux. RenoCross 2018. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

Maghalie Rochette's RenoCross Specialized CruX

As a Specialized-sponsored program, Rochette is riding the CruX, the California brand’s dedicated cyclocross bike. While we have seen other pros on the S-Works CruX, Rochette is riding the Expert available to consumers.

The heart of the bike is the same FACT 11r carbon frame as the S-Works build (which we recently reviewed) but dressed in a Force 1 build with hydraulic Force shifters, a clutch rear derailleur and the stock carbon crankset with a direct mount chainring from Praxis. After RenoCross, Rochette swapped out the crankset and ring for a SRAM Force 1 setup.

Rochette's Force 1 drivetrain was set up with an 11-32t cassette. Maghalie Rochette's winning Specialized Crux. RenoCross 2018. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

Rochette’s CruX features a red and yellow fade officially dubbed Team Yellow and Rocket Red that definitely stands out.

While many riders prefer to leave their main triangle open for easy shouldering Rochette opted for the advantage of hydration and mounted a Blackburn bottle cage. Maghalie Rochette's winning Specialized Crux. RenoCross 2018. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

Rochette’s CruX does depart slightly from the stock build with Zipp Service Course SL bars and stem. Additionally, she equipped an S-Works Power saddle on the stock S-Works SL seatpost, a Blackburn bottle cage and Shimano XTR M9000 pedals.

While riders often trim their steerer tubes, the spacer stack indicates that Rochette may not be finished adjusting her fit. Maghalie Rochette's winning Specialized Crux. RenoCross 2018. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

Rochette upgraded her rolling stock to Roval CLX 50 carbon tubulars with Team Edition Challenge Chicane file treads for the grassy course in Reno. The CLX 50 features DT Swiss 240 hub internals, Aerolite T-Head spokes, Ceramic Speed bearings and a 50mm carbon rim.

Rochette ran Roval CLX 50 disc tubulars with Challenge Chicane file treads. Maghalie Rochette's winning Specialized Crux. RenoCross 2018. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

Interestingly, although the tubeless clincher versions of the Roval CLX 50 wheels come stock on the S-Works CruX, the tubular version of the CLX 50 appears to not be available to the public yet.

For more on Rochette's RenoCross CruX, see the photo gallery and specs below.

Photo Gallery: Maghalie Rochette's RenoCross Specialized CruX