Gravel, cyclocross, road: the all-new Specialized Crux DSW is a great n-1 alloy bike

Instead of a fleet of bikes, you could just own this one and maybe an extra wheelset or two

The 2024 Specialized Crux DSW
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

Another beautiful example of trickledown technology, the Crux DSW is responsive, versatile, fun and affordable. It's a performance orientated yet wallet-friendly option for anyone wanting one bike to tackle road and gravel alike, and maybe some ‘cross in the fall.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Versatile

  • +

    Lightweight

  • +

    Fun, responsive and capable

  • +

    Good n-1 option

  • +

    Frameset-only option

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Just one, low-end build on offer

  • -

    Limited sizing for smaller riders

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The all-new Specialized Crux DSW is a bike I've been looking forward to riding since I heard of its impending release. I realise that this may come as a surprise given the five-figure bikes that I've had the pleasure of reviewing this year, but it's true. 

I've owned the high-end S-Works version of the Crux for a while now. It's a fantastic bike - one that's carried me across weekend adventures, long-endurance events and short but high-intensity jaunts alike. On the road, on gravel, and even on some singletrack, the S-Works Crux rides, as my colleague Hannah Bussey described it, like poetry in motion. But it's also well out of many people's price range. The lowest model carbon Crux comes with a price tag of four grant and my S-Works version? Well, I'm just glad I was able to score an industry discount on a frameset. 

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