{"id":37222,"date":"2022-06-03T12:08:52","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T10:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=682912"},"modified":"2022-06-03T12:10:17","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T10:10:17","slug":"peter-sagan-is-riding-the-unbound-gravel-race-on-this-specialized-s-works-crux","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/peter-sagan-is-riding-the-unbound-gravel-race-on-this-specialized-s-works-crux\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter Sagan is riding the Unbound gravel race on this Specialized S-Works Crux"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By George Scott\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Everyone\u2019s into gravel these days, it seems, and that includes Peter Sagan, with the three-time road world champion riding Unbound<\/a> this weekend.<\/p>\n

The line-up for the 2022 edition of Unbound, due to take place on Saturday 4 June, is a who\u2019s who of gravel racing<\/a> but, while the majority of gravel specialists will do battle over the 200-mile course, Sagan is riding the 100-mile event.<\/p>\n

And this is the 32-year-old\u2019s Specialized S-Works Crux<\/a> for Unbound, the world\u2019s premier gravel race.<\/p>\n

From the Tarmac to Crux<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Peter Sagan\u2019s Specialized Crux gravel bike for Unbound 2022.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Crux was formerly Specialized\u2019s cyclocross bike but was reimagined as the \u201cworld\u2019s lightest gravel bike\u201d in October 2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s based around a 725g frame (claimed weight, size 56cm), which sports similar lines to the Specialized S-Works Aethos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The 725g frame takes centre stage.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Like the Aethos, simplicity is a key theme, with a traditional seatpost collar, round tubes and exposed cables in front of the two-piece handlebar and stem.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a focus on everyday practicality and that extends to the threaded bottom bracket <\/a>and clearance for 47mm (700c wheels<\/a>) or 2.1in (650b wheels<\/a>) tyres.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Crux keeps things simple, with round tubes, an external seatpost collar and two-piece cockpit with exposed cables.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While Specialized has provided custom Specialized Diverge bikes to its gravel specialists competing in the 200-mile race \u2013 Ian Boswell, Laurens ten Dam and Alison Tetrick \u2013 Sagan and his Team TotalEnergies team-mate, Daniel Oss, who\u2019s also riding the 100-mile event, get the Crux.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ian Boswell gets this custom Specialized S-Works Diverge for Unbound 2022.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

1x for Unbound 2022<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sagan is running GRX Di2 in a 1x setup.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Sagan\u2019s build is fairly standard, as things go for a five-figure gravel superbike.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a Shimano GRX Di2<\/a> drivetrain in a 1x configuration, pairing a 42t chainring with what looks to be an 11-34t cassette.<\/p>\n

\""Peter\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Shimano GRx hydraulic disc brakes bite onto Dura-Ace R9000 140mm rotors.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Peter\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Crux\u2019s svelte lines continue with the fork.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The hydraulic disc brake calipers also come from GRX, biting onto Dura-Ace R9000 140mm rotors, while the XTR mountain bike pedals are from Shimano, too.<\/p>\n

Rolling with Roval<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Roval provides the gravel-friendly Terra CLX wheels.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Specialized provides the gravel-specific Roval Terra CLX wheels<\/a>, which have a wide-tyre-friendly internal rim width of 25mm and, fittingly for the Crux, a low claimed weight of 1,296g.<\/p>\n

\""Peter\"<\/picture><\/div>
Sagan will roll on second-tier Specialized Pathfinder Pro tyres.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Peter\"<\/picture><\/div>
The Pathfinder combines a smooth central strip with a tightly-packed tread pattern for fast gravel riding.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Those wheels are wrapped in Specialized Pathfinder Pro tyres.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Sagan isn\u2019t using the S-Works version of the Pathfinder Pro<\/a>, launched in March 2022\u00a0with the claim that it\u2019s 20 per cent faster than any other Specialized gravel tyre.<\/p>\n

The S-Works version retains the same low-profile tread pattern, tubeless compatibility and tyre casing as the existing Pathfinder Pro gravel tyre but shaves a claimed 210g off the weight, while apparently reducing rolling resistance due to a new compound combination.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Romin Evo is Sagan\u2019s saddle of choice.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Perhaps, however, the extra weight and protection of the Pro version is preferred for the chunky, long-distance gravel of Unbound.<\/p>\n

Specialized finishing kit completes the build, including Sagan\u2019s faithful Specialized Romin Evo saddle.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Even a three-time world champion needs to fix his own punctures at Unbound.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

And finally, there\u2019s also a tubeless repair kit attached to the uppermost bottle cage.<\/p>\n

Sagan may be a three-time road world champion, but on the chunky gravel of Kansas\u2019 Flint Hills, he\u2019s probably going to have to fix his own punctures.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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