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Test Model Prototype Specialized Crux Cyclocross Bike

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Prototype test rig of Specialized's next gen Crux cyclocross bike. Photo: Nick Legan / VeloNews

We were so focused on the prototype cyclocross tubular tires in this video that we didn’t even look at the bike they were on.

Fortunately, Nick Legan at VeloNews snapped these and a lot more photos of a prototype test rig being raced by Todd Wells this past weekend in CO.

Rather than go through the expensive and time consuming process of testing a prototype using new carbon molds, Specialized has been giving Wells an aluminum version to work out the geometry and frame tweaks that will ultimately end up on the next generation of their carbon fiber Crux ‘cross bike. Based on this mule, the new bike will have easily serviced internal cable routing, a fork-mounted front brake hanger (which reportedly reduces brake shudder), BB30 bottom bracket, a flattened top tube for easier shouldering and a tapered headtube.

A couple more pics after the break with our own assessments, or check VeloNews for the full spec list…

While the final bike (at least the top end models) will be in carbon, the prototype is made from aluminum tubes to speed development.  You can see the flattened, arching top tube here, along with the internal brake cable routing that uses a removable cable boss to ease installation. You may also note the rather large 31.8 diameter seatpost, which we’d suggest perhaps trimming down to a smaller diameter to add a bit of butt-and-spine-friendly compliance into the bike. Sure, the eventual high end model will be carbon and likely keep the Zertz inserts to damp vibration, but still.

Keep it simple, stupid: Rather than complicate things with brake bosses and housing, the shifter cables simply run through the downtube and pop out the bottom directly into a plastic guide. We’d move the whole thing slightly closer to the driveside to put the cable further from the tire, but otherwise it looks like a solid solution. Running the front shifter cable this way eliminates the need for a pulley wheel on the seat tube, too.

All photos here from Nick Legan.

RELATED: 2011 Specialized road and cyclocross bike weights

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jmh
jmh
13 years ago

Pretty sure the 31.8 is not the seatpost diameter, but rather the seatpost clamp diameter.

Chris
Chris
13 years ago

Actually Specialized prints the outside diameter of their seat tubes on their clamps, its actually a 27.2 seat post in a 31.8 seat tube….

Mark
Mark
13 years ago

The 31.8 refers to the seat collar inside diameter. The seatpost is likely a 27.2mm.

Uri
Uri
13 years ago

No disc tabs?

tripelt
tripelt
13 years ago

That actually appears to be a 27.2 post, the 31.8 on the seatpost clamp is merely designated the size of the clamp, not the seatpost. Specialized has long been a proponent of the 27.2 post size for road bikes due to it’s added compliance over larger sizes and also over bikes with integrated seatmasts.

garrett
garrett
13 years ago

with the lack of good disc brake wheels in not surprised it doesn’t have tabs for them
besides until the cabled disc brake systems get lighter or unless the race is super muddy
its had to justify putting disc brakes on a cross bike.
In my opinion canties modulate really well, have lots of stopping power, and are really simple to clean and mantain
compared to disc brakes.
Shorty Ultimate’s are the best brake this year hands.

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