This bike is great fun to ride! I bought the Crux for its classic lines, non-proprietary parts, and the external headset cable routing that makes maintenance and swopping parts simple. I’ve only had it a few weeks, it is doing its job as a winter trainer and gravel bike. It’s proven lighter than expected and I’m now thinking of having a go at cyclocross as well for the winter!
Product Details
Specialized Crux DSW Comp Alloy Gravel Bike 2026
The Crux DSW is a high-performance alloy gravel bike that takes everything learned from the carbon Crux and applies it to alloy using the patented D’Aluisio Smartweld process. It delivers a nimble, balanced, and responsive ride while remaining the lightest alloy gravel bike ever made, designed for fast, fun, and high-performance riding.
Lightweight Design
Weighing just 1399 grams for the 56cm frame in the lightest colourway, the Crux DSW is the world’s lightest alloy gravel frame. Paired with the FACT12r Crux carbon fork and a performance-focused build, a complete Crux DSW weighs 9.37kg, outmatching any competing alloy gravel bike.
Capability
With tyre clearance matching its carbon sibling of up to 47mm and 2.1 on a 650b wheel, the Crux DSW can tackle a wide range of terrain at full speed. The tough yet light alloy frame provides the durability and versatility needed for any adventure.
Responsive Ride
The Crux DSW is designed to be responsive at the pedals and supple in the saddle. D’Aluisio Smartweld fine-tunes the alloy properties to deliver a ride previously achievable only with carbon. Performance gravel geometry and a race-influenced fit ensure confident handling, with a longer reach for better weight distribution and a lower stack for a performance-first position. A 72mm bottom-bracket drop balances nimbleness with stability.
D’Aluisio Smartweld Technology
D’Aluisio Smartweld, or DSW, is a patented hydroforming process that precisely matches tube-to-tube joints, producing stronger, lighter, and more durable frames. This technique enables the creation of a unique single-piece downtube and bottom bracket, reducing weight and enhancing responsiveness.
Features
- Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminium Disc, D'Aluisio Smartweld Technology, hydroformed aluminium tubing, tapered head tube, threaded BB, UDH dropout
- Fork: S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100 mm thru axle, flat mount disc
- Front brake: SRAM Apex, hydraulic disc
- Rear brake: SRAM Apex, hydraulic disc
- Crankset: SRAM Apex DUB Wide, 40T
- Rear derailleur: SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12 speed
- Bottom bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68 Wide
- Chain: SRAM Apex D1
- Cassette: SRAM Apex XPLR, 12 speed, 11-44T
- Shift levers: SRAM Apex
- Front wheel: DT Swiss G540 rim, 24 mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centre lock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples
- Rear wheel: DT Swiss G540 rim, 24 mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centre lock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples
- Front tyre: Pathfinder, 700x40, tubeless ready
- Rear tyre: Pathfinder, 700x40, tubeless ready
- Inner tubes: Presta, 700x32-50 mm
- Seatpost: Alloy, 2 bolt clamp, 12 mm offset, 27.2 mm, anti corrosion hardware
- Saddle: Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails
- Handlebars: Specialized Adventure Gear, 118.9 mm drop x 70 mm reach x 12° flare
- Seat binder: Specialized alloy, 30.8 mm
- Stem: Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4 bolt, 7 degree rise
- Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Claimed Weight: 9.44 kg (20 lb 13.0 oz)
- Weight size: 56
Specifications
- Model
- Crux DSW Comp
- Bottom Bracket [Maker]
- SRAM
- Bottom Bracket Standard
- BSA
- Brakes [Kind]
- Hydraulic Disc
- Brakes [Maker]
- SRAM
- Brakes [Model]
- Apex
- Cassette [Gearing]
- 11–44
- Cassette [Maker]
- SRAM
- Cassette [Model]
- Apex XPLR
- Chain [Maker]
- SRAM
- Chain [Model]
- Apex D1
- Chainring [Gearing]
- 40
- Crank [Maker]
- SRAM
- Crank [Model]
- Apex DUB Wide
- Discipline Compatibility
- Gravel
- E-Bike
- No
- F Hub [Maker]
- Specialized
- Family
- Crux
- Fenders Mounts
- No
- Fork [Axle Diameter]
- 12 mm
- Fork [Axle Type]
- 12x100mm Thru-Axle
- Fork [Brake Type]
- Disc
- Fork [Maker]
- Specialized
- Fork [Material]
- Carbon
- Fork [Model]
- S-Works FACT Carbon
- Fork [Wheel Size]
- 700c
- Frame [Hanger Standard]
- UDH
- Frame [Material]
- Aluminium
- Frameset
- No
- Gearing [Configuration]
- 1x
- Gearing [Kind]
- Conventional
- Gender
- Unisex
- Handlebar [Drop]
- 118.9 mm
- Handlebar [Flare]
- 12 degree
- Handlebar [Kind]
- Drop
- Handlebar [Maker]
- Specialized
- Handlebar [Material]
- Aluminium
- Handlebar [Reach]
- 70 mm
- Handlebar [Shape]
- drop-with-flare
- Handlebar [Width]
- 420 mm
- R Hub [Maker]
- Specialized
- Rack Mounts
- No
- RD [Maker]
- SRAM
- RD [Model]
- Apex XPLR
- Saddle [Maker]
- Specialized
- Saddle [Material]
- Steel
- Seatpost [Diameter]
- 27.2
- Seatpost [Kind]
- Rigid
- Seatpost [Maker]
- Specialized
- Seatpost [Material]
- Aluminium
- Seatpost [Offset]
- 12 mm
- Shifters [Maker]
- SRAM
- Shifters [Model]
- Apex
- Shifting
- Mechanical
- Stem [Maker]
- Specialized
- Stem [Material]
- Aluminium
- Stem [Rise]
- 7 degree
- Sub Family
- Crux DSW
- Suspension Configuration
- Rigid
- Tires [Maker]
- Specialized
- Tires [Width]
- 40 mm
- Wheels [Configuration]
- Front+Rear
- Wheels [Kinds]
- Tubeless Ready
- Wheelset [Inner Width]
- 24 mm
- Wheelset [Maker]
- DT Swiss
- Wheelset [Material]
- Aluminium
- Wheelset [Model]
- G540
- Product code
- 1949507 / 54293681439066
Size Guide

All measurements in mm unless otherwise stated.
Reviews
Shipping & Returns
Free UK delivery on orders over £50. Orders are dispatched within 1-2 working days and typically arrive 1-2 working days later.
Return unused items in their original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Return postage is £3.50.
Q & A
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About Specialized
Innovate or die.
Founded in California in 1974, Specialized began with a simple promise: serious riders deserve serious gear. Half a century later, the brand still funds its own wind tunnel, builds its own carbon, and tests every bike with the world's best so that you ride your own best.
The first production mountain bike. The first cycling-specific shoes. FACT carbon, the Win Tunnel, S-Works. Specialized has a habit of building the things the rest of cycling ends up copying.









