“Want to see the new 2019 Specialized CruX cyclocross bikes?” your local Specialized shop might ask you if you pop in this time of year.
They’ve had the specs, pricing and colors for weeks now. The bikes have been available for order for some time, and some of these new models have already made appearances at early-season practices and races. However, if you look for the info on the public-facing website, it’s not there yet.
For some brands, we typically preview and cover the new bikes at Interbike. But it’s been a few years since Specialized has had any new product on display at the trade show. Although Interbike is still a few weeks away, Cyclocross Magazine obtained full details on the new 2019 CruX cyclocross lineup of bikes.
What’s has changed for 2019?
Early-release details reveal three carbon models and one alloy model. Although the frames have remained the same as the 2018 bikes introduced in June 2017, Specialized, of course, has updated the colors and tweaked the specs. See our breakdown of the changes below.
Shocker: S-Works Goes Electric
The S-Works frameset, which we declared to be one of the best cyclocross framesets we’ve tested, remains unchanged in geometry, spec and pricing. It still comes with a CeramicSpeed OSBB, 11r carbon frame and fork and the elegant (but oft angle-slipping) FACT carbon seat post.
The color options still feature one subdued option and one eye-catching scheme, but they’ve changed. The black is replaced by a Satin Battleship / Gloss Hyper / Clean understated scheme:
The $2800 2019 Specialized S-Works CruX carbon cyclocross frameset.
While the “Hippy Camo” (technically Gloss SL Black/Cosmos/Rocket Red/White) gets retired to the Playa in favor of a hot pink and blue design. It’s technically called Gloss Acid Pink/Chameleon/Metallic White Silver/Clean, but to us it looks like an original Team Stumpjumper with a bit of the blues. It’s eye-catching for sure, as is the complete bike’s price.
The $9000 2019 Specialized S-Works CruX cyclocross bike with Shimano Dura-Ace and XTR Di2.
The S-Works complete bike returns with Shimano Dura-Ace but gets both Di2 electronics and single chain ring treatment. Gone are the double Praxis chain rings and the 9100 front and rear derailleurs.
In their place is a Specialized Power Crank (with power meter) and an XTR 9050 Shadow Plus GS cage Di2 rear derailleur. The model retains the aero, lightweight but not burp-proof Roval CLX 50 carbon wheelset but swaps the first generation Terra 2Bliss tires for the revamped Tracer rubber. We’ve gotten word that the novel, gram-saving but troublesome plastic rim plugs have been replaced by tape. That’s probably a good thing, as it will make for a tighter, more burp-resistant tubeless tire fit.
The electronics give the price a jolt, pushing the new 2019 S-Works model to an MSRP of $9000 from the $7500 2018 S-Works model we tested.
CruX Expert Jumps to Carbon Hoops
Last year’s $4200 CruX Expert jumps up a bit to $4500—into the range of most brands’ top-shelf bike. The bike keeps a SRAM Force 1 drivetrain, but trades in the carbon Force 1 crankset for a carbon Praxis model and swaps the alloy Roval SLX 24 Disc wheels for a brand new carbon C 38 Disc tubeless wheelset.
The model comes in just one color scheme, a neon yellow/red fade:
The $4700 2019 Specialized CruX Expert carbon cyclocross bike with SRAM Force 1.
Elite Swaps Wheels, Cranks
The SRAM Rival-equipped Elite carbon CruX returns for 2019 at the same $3200 price as 2018, with the same drivetrain, but like the Expert, swaps the SRAM (Rival) crankset for a Praxis (Zayante alloy) model and sheds the Roval SLX 24 Disc wheels. DT R470 Disc alloy wheels replace the Roval models from last season but retain the same 20mm inner width.
There are two color options, but hopefully you still like red. One is relatively conservative, with Rocket Red and Tarmac Black:
The $3200 2019 Specialized CruX Elite carbon cyclocross bike with SRAM Rival 1.
While the other is a bit more acidic:
The $3200 2019 Specialized CruX Elite carbon cyclocross bike with SRAM Rival 1.
Bye Bye Sport
Last year’s sleeper value, the CruX Sport, with its relatively subdued red, white and black color scheme, basically got you a complete bike at the cost of a carbon seat post and ceramic bearings. The CruX Sport brought you the same sub-1000g 11r carbon frame as the S-Works, dressed with Shimano 105. That complete bike retailed for $2800—the same price as the $2800 S-Works frameset. It was arguably the best value of the bunch, but it looks like it won’t be returning for 2019.
The 2018 $2,800 CruX Sport was the value pick, with Shimano 105 components for the price of the same frameset with a carbon seat post and ceramic bearings. It’s not returning for 2019, but may be still available, at a further discount.
The good news is that the 2018 model is still in stock and now discounted, and so if you have your heart set on owning a carbon CruX but are tight on funds, picking up a 2018 carbon CruX Sport seems like a smart way to go. Cyclocross season might be here, but Specialized is likely hoping to sell out its 2018 inventory—and thus isn’t widely circulating the new 2019 line yet. However, both model years are available at local stores.
E5 Alloy Narrows to One Model
The Specialized CruX E5 Sport returns for 2019 at $2200 but swaps a double chainring Shimano 105 drivetrain for SRAM Apex 1. The frameset stays quick release front and rear and keeps the Axis Sport Disc alloy wheels. There are two color schemes:
2019 $2200 alloy Specialized CruX E5 Sport cyclocross bike.
2019 $2200 alloy Specialized CruX E5 Sport cyclocross bike.
Last year’s most-affordable model, the $1400 CruX E5, is not returning for 2019, at least not yet. Find the $2220 CruX E5 Sport to be a bit much for an entry-level ride? Tracking down a 2018 CruX E5 might be the way to go.
These four models will inevitably make their way to Specialized’s consumer-facing website, but dealers already have the full spec and some floor models.
