The special paint job was a custom MyWay for the launch - it looked stunning 
Not sure about the Ineos chaps, I cannot remember the details but one was on the GR.
How did this thread not yet talk about theāyep, Iām calling it alreadyāmeme bike of the year, i.e. the Trek CheckOUT?
Do you think thereās something to it? Or is it a silly bike?
So is this where we should still be discussing a new Specialized gravel bike in 2026?
Seeing some fresh chatter on weight weenies about a Q1 or Q2 launch of something āall new ā.
Makes sense with the recent EC article on Keegan to Specialized.
Iām imagining a pretty significant marketing campaign around this new team and platform. (Roval wheels Beers has been on, likely a Roval gravel cockpit that comes on the top spec new bike, helmet and shoe refresh?)
Itās probably the sworks diverge.
Lots of good thoughts here. I donāt think there is really a cannonical gravel bike because the definition of gravel varies so much.
Personally an aero carbon bike with an integrated front end is not what I am looking for in a gravel bike. Clearly for many folks here, that is exactly what they are looking for.
2 Likes
My rumour-based understanding is that thereās an aero-crux in the works. Essentially an SL8 tarmac with big clearance. Personally Iām all for that!
5 Likes
I was just going to post asking what I should replace my 2023 Crux with (as the headset issues have set in and I find them infuriating)ā¦but Factor doesnāt have a reasonable color way on the Aluto (and strangely wonāt do custom paint on it) and though the Aspero-5 is right up my alley, Iām not sure about the tire clearance (and apparently theyāve stopped selling frame only)ā¦so maybe I have to wait for the new aero Crux and hope Spesh solved the headset issuesā¦
16 posts were merged into an existing topic: Crux Headset Compression Ring
It may not be the Crux namesake/product line (esp if they let the crux live on for cx) but there are some confident sounding posters over on WWā¦
āNew crux is coming 2nd quarter of next year2026. . I work in a shop.ā
āPossibly. Due to agreements Iāve signed and a trip a just took I canāt say much. Other than itās coming Q2 next year, itās sticking to the racing side of bike geometry.ā
āi heard fro a specialized Employee that the release of the new crux is in spring 2026 (dont remeber if Q1 or Q2)ā
āItās a race bike and will still be a race bike. Thatās all I can sayā
I am betting we see some instagram story spy shots with Keegan or Beers on it by late Feb : )
On the PeƱarella it looks like all three triangles were made for different bikes.
I think the use case is critical. Of course we would all like a super light, super aero setup that accepts 2.2 tires but compromises will have to be made. There have been several articles by gravel racers using a strategy trying to predict the portions of a course that will drive separation and then choosing a bike to help make the separation. For a long time I have chosen a super light gravel setup (Crux, Enve 3.4 etc) for racing but since I actually have the most trouble on high speed technical gravel I am thinking of changing my approach; go for a bike that will accommodate 2.1 tires and have a lot of stability etc. Perhaps an Allied Able or similar. I am also waiting to see what the new Crux looks like since the Crux/Tarmac fit works well for me.
FYI if youāre looking for the discussion around the Crux headset compression issues I moved all the posts to the appropriate topc:
2 Likes
Matt Beers appears to be running a new cockpit on his Strava upload this morning (Girona pre ride)
Correct me if I am wrong, but there is an obvious rearward sweep (inverse of Rapide design).
2 Likes
Hopefully weāll see some gallery here on Escape after the race 
created a dedicated thread as rumors and parts leaks heat up: 2027 Specialized Crux (or whatever it will be called)