Whether she’s riding for her CX Fever project or for Specialized and Feedback Sports, Maghalie Rochette heads to Rochester Cyclocross each season with excitement and returns with double victories.
This year, Rochette not only has a new presenting sponsor but also new components draped on her S-Works Crux frame. Today we profile at her Rochester-winning bike.
Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
The Specialized S-Works Crux needs no introduction. We first spied the current iteration under Cody Kaiser at Sea Otter in 2018 and fell in love with the handling and versatility of the frame during a long-term review despite some nitpicks with its build.
Rochette's second season going solo with Specialized brings some new equipment. Last year, she rode the Specialized Expert edition of the Crux, and at Rochester, she showed off her new S-Works Crux with a sunsetian colorway that fades from red to yellow.
The new S-Works Crux has a fade reminiscent of a sunset. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Rochette also added speed to her carbon Crux this season. Swapping out her SRAM Force 1 drivetrain for the SRAM Red AXS eTap drivetrain added electronic shifting as well as an extra cog out back. Rochette and Curtis White (see his Cannondale SuperX profile here) gave SRAM AXS Red eTap three of the weekend’s four Elite wins.
No wires! SRAM's Red AXS eTap wireless derailleur, with chain management built-in. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Rochette pedaled her Flattop chain and 10-33 XD-R rear cassette with a 40t X-Sync 2 chain ring on Saturday.
Rochette swapped between a 40t X-Sync 2 ring on Saturday to a 38t ring on Sunday. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
She opted to switch to a 38t ring to help power up the steep embankment located right before the entrance to "The Jungle" Technical section.
Rochette opted for a 38t ring on Sunday to help get up this steep hill. 2019 Rochester Cyclocross Day 1. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Speaking of pedaling, Rochette was clipping in and out of her Shimano SPD-compatible CXR pedals from sponsor Xpedo. The cyclocross-specific design boasts mud clearance, and come in both cromo and titanium (CXR Pro) options.
Rochette said she used CXR Pro pedals, in the non-Pro red body color. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Although her pedals are in the non-pro red color, Rochette says she was using the 55g lighter titanium Pro spindles, albeit in black, not gold like the production Pro titanium axles. Rochette isn’t the only cyclocross pro to have used Xpedo clipless pedals. Robert Marion and his former American Classic / Xpedo team also chased UCI points using the pedal.
Rochette rolled to the win on Challenge Tires’ Chicane Team Edition file tread tubulars mounted to special custom Roval CLX 50 tubular disc brake wheels. Rochette joined Men's Day 2 winner in opting for files on the fast, dry course, while many other riders chose intermediate treads.
Challenge Tires' Chicane file tread offered a fast-rolling center with aggressive side knobs. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
While the stock Roval CLX wheels come in both clincher and tubular form, currently the tubulars are offered in rim brake format only. Sponsored athletes often get special products, and Rochette certainly enjoyed this perk. The tubular rims come with Roval disc hubs.
Maghalie Rochette rolled on custom CLX 50 wheels by Roval that paired the company's rim brake tubular rim with disc brake hubs. Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
Finally, if you are wondering how the bike profile magic happens, Buffalo's John Klein chipped in to help hold the Pan-Am and Canadian Champ's bike for us.
Buffalo's John Klein did us a solid. Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
For more details on Rochette’s winning ride, see the specs and photo gallery below. See more cyclocross and gravel bike profiles here.
Maghalie Rochette’s Rochester-Cyclocross winning Specialized S-Works Crux Specs:
Frame: Specialized S-Works Crux, 11r carbon, OSBB, 12x142mm thru-axle, tapered head tube, internal cable routing, flat mount disc
Fork: Specialized 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 CLX-R, 160mm front, 140mm rear
Crankset: SRAM Red AXS Power Meter, built-in Quarq power meter
Chain Ring: SRAM X-Sync 2, 40t (Saturday), 38t (Sunday)
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red eTap AXS
Cassette: SRAM 10-33t, 12-speed
Chain: SRAM Flattop
Wheels: Custom Roval CLX 50 carbon disc brake tubulars, 50mm deep
Tires: Challenge Tires Chicane Team Edition, 700c x 33mm
Stem: Zipp SL Speed carbon
Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL-80, alloy
Seatpost: Zipp Service Course SL (20), carbon with alloy head
Saddle: Specialized Power with carbon rails
Pedals: Xpedo CXR with black titanium axles
More info: specialized.com
Maghalie Rochette's Rochester Cyclocross-Winning S-Works CruX Cyclocross Bike Photo Gallery:
Rochette swapped between a 40t X-Sync 2 ring on Saturday to a 38t ring on Sunday. Maghalie Rochette’s Rochester Cyclocross-winning S-Works Crux. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
