Specialized launches Crux DSW – ‘the lightest alloy gravel bike ever m – Rouleur

June 11, 2024

Specialised has launched a DSW (D’Aluisio Smartweld) aluminium model of the Crux gravel bike which it’s claiming is the lightest alloy gravel bike ever made. In case you’re experiencing gentle déja-vu, that’s as a result of when the US model launched the carbon S-Works Crux in 2021, it mentioned that with its body weight of 725g, that was the world’s lightest gravel bike, interval.

Specialised mentioned it had utilized learnings from creating the Aethos street body to the carbon S-Works Crux. Now, for the Crux DSW, it says it took all the things it realized from the carbon Crux and used d’Aluisio Smartweld expertise to create “essentially the most succesful, nimble, balanced, and responsive alloy gravel bike ever made for quick, enjoyable, high-performance using … some might name it a carbon copy – we name it the Crux DSW.”

The claimed body weight for the Crux DSW is 1,399g and Specialised says totally constructed with the SRAM Apex XPLR mechanical groupset – the one one it is supplied with – it weighs 9.37kg in a dimension 56. Carbon copy may sound gimmicky, however the alloy Crux DSW has the identical tyre clearance because the carbon Crux – 47mm and as much as 2.1” on a 650b wheel – and the identical race-oriented geometry with an extended attain, low stack and 72mm BB drop.

The patented D’Aluisio Smartweld course of has been utilized to many alloy Specialised bikes prior to now. Most famously, Peter Sagan rode an Allez Dash within the Tour Down Below in 2019, which kicked off with a town-centre criterium round Adelaide. Though it was in fact a publicity stunt, he positioned second and proved that the aluminium bike was adequate for a high professional on the top of his powers.

Based on Specialised, D’Aluisio Smartweld – or DSW – is “an engineering course of that makes use of hydroforming to exactly match tube-to-tube joints for higher, stronger welds and, in the end, a lighter body that may be twice as sturdy as a standard alloy body. Smartweld helps us create a novel single-piece down tube and backside bracket for the Crux DSW, shaving weight and amplifying responsiveness. Seat tube and chainstays are then mated to the hydroformed one-piece down tube and backside bracket utilizing our Smartweld welding course of.”

Specialised says tubes are designed to intersect precisely with none – framebuilders look away now – “old school mitering or fudging” with materials added proper on the ends of the tubes the place they’re welded collectively. It says that specializing in the fabric wants within the extremely pressured weld zones and placing the required materials precisely the place it must be “provides us the liberty to make use of tubing that delivers the trip traits we would like as a substitute of getting to make do with overbuilt tubing that sacrifices trip high quality so as to be sturdy sufficient to outlive the trauma of old-school welding.”

The Crux DSW comes both as a frameset with the FACT 12r Crux carbon fork (£1,500) or totally constructed with a SRAM Apex XPLR mechanical groupset, DT G540 wheels and Pathfinder Professional 700x38c tyres (£2,300). There are six sizes from 49cm to 61cm; two color methods for the frameset and two for the whole bike. The spotlight colourway must be the frameset-only choice of Gloss Amber Glow/Vivid Pink/Metallic Midnight Shadow/Speckle, which is really spectacular. The entire builds come within the extra muted Gloss Birch/Clay or Satin Smoke/Oak Inexperienced (pictured within the way of life shot above). Take a look at all of the particulars at Specialised’s web site.