Specialized Crux Pro Race UDi2 Reviewed

The Specialized Crux Pro Race UDi2 lives up to the well-established pedigree of Specialized race bikes. If you have ever owned a Specialized Tarmac you are going to be right at home on the Specialized Crux Pro Race UDi2.

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Like the Tarmac the Crux handles beautifully, due in part to the tapered, shaped head tube, and in part to an exceptional design that balances the head tube stiffness with the top tube and fork. ‘Cross racing can put serious demands on a bike’s front end stiffness and Specialized nailed it with the Crux. The bottom bracket drop is 5 mm higher (58cm Frame) than the Tarmac frame and has a slighter longer wheel base, but the Crux still accelerates quickly thanks to a bottom bracket and chain stay molded as a single unit. This aspect is critical for the constant accelerations out of corners in that weekend ‘cross race. Specialized knows that higher volume tires and their CG-R 27.2 seat post deliver massive comfort, so why not make the bike’s power center stiffer than Belgian wind in January?

To label the Crux Pro Race UDi2 as a ‘cross bike doesn’t capture how well rounded a bike it is. Sure, it has all the things you want from a world class ‘cross bike – hydraulic disc brakes, Ultegra Di2, a Roval carbon tubeless wheelset, and incredible handling – but it is still more. We threw on some 28mm road tires and went out for a four-hour road and trail expedition. Riding the Crux Pro Race Udi2 for four hours and climbing over three-thousand feet is a testament to the bike’s comfort and Specialized’s CG-R, FACT carbon seat post. The Shimano 785 Hydraulic discs easily handled the high-speed, fire road descents making for an absolute epic test ride.

A single sour note plays on the Crux and that is weight. With a carbon frame, high-end spec and carbon wheels we were surprised to see 18.5lbs register on the scale when we weighed the bike. Sure, plenty of disc equipped carbon cross bikes hit the 18lb mark in size 58cm, but for over $7000 we had hoped the Crux would be a bit less to shoulder.

The Rider
The Specialized Crux Pro Race UDi2 demands a rider that has no limits, a rider who craves the non-stop, lung screaming action of a cross race as much as an epic weekend ride that reaches for the forbidden fruit of gravel roads.

$7,300 / 18.5lbs / 58cm as tested.
SPECIFICATIONS: Shimano Ultegra Di2 11-speed, Shimano 785 Hydraulic disc brakes, Roval Control CX Carbon SCS wheels, Specialized Pro Fact Carbon crankset, Specialized CG-R, FACT carbon seat post , and Specialized bar/stem.
more: specialized.com