Fast as a rocket, but harsh on the hands: the Specialized Crux 5 S-Level, tested

Want a gravel bike that turns every track into a sprint? The Specialized Crux in its 5 S-Level version has just been through a demanding test and comes out with a clear verdict: it is seriously fast. The test is by road.cc, which describes it as a brilliant, efficient gravel race bike, although it points out two drawbacks you'll want to know about before you reach for your wallet.

Here's what the test says and, above all, what it means for you if you're thinking about a fast gravel bike, new or used.

What's good about the Specialized Crux 5 S-Level

According to road.cc, the Crux behaves like a real rocket. They describe it as a very efficient bike, the kind that turns your effort into speed without getting distracted. It's a gravel bike built for racing, not for touring with panniers.

That fits what you're looking for if you enter timed gravel events, if you ride with groups that push hard on hardpacked tracks, or if you come from road riding and want that same instant response off the tarmac.

The two drawbacks: stiff handlebar and expensive groupset

The test doesn't stop at the praise. It flags two points that count against it:

• A handlebar setup that is too stiff. On rough tracks, that stiffness goes straight to your hands and wrists. In a short race you may not notice it; on long rides you will.
• An expensive groupset that pushes up the price of the whole bike.
• A high price for a second-tier frame. The S-Level isn't Specialized's top range, and even so the bill is steep.

The good news is that the first drawback is fairly easy to fix. A handlebar or stem with a bit more flex, thicker bar tape or slightly lower tyre pressures can soften a lot of what you feel up front. Before changing anything, do a long test ride and see where it hurts.

Specialized Crux: new or second-hand?

This is where the practical angle comes in. If what's holding you back is the price of a frame that isn't top of the range, the second-hand market works in your favour: the Crux is a much sought-after gravel race bike and it's common to find low-mileage bikes from riders who have moved on to another discipline.

If you go for a used one, check these points:

• Condition of the carbon frame: knocks on the chainstay and down tube, the areas stones punish most.
• Drivetrain wear: if the original groupset is expensive, checking the chain, cassette and chainrings saves you a nasty surprise.
• The cockpit: ask whether it still has the stock handlebar or whether the previous owner has already swapped it for a more comfortable one; that can be a plus.
• Receipt and size: a race bike in the wrong size loses all its appeal.

You can see what's available right now in the second-hand Specialized bikes section or widen your search to the whole second-hand gravel bikes category to compare with other brands.

Who it makes sense for

If you put speed above everything else and don't mind adjusting the cockpit to your liking, the Specialized Crux 5 S-Level will give you what you're asking for. If you're after a comfortable gravel bike for endless days on stony tracks, you'll need to make some tweaks or look at more versatile options.

And if your current gravel bike no longer cuts it and you're thinking of stepping up to something faster, you can post your listing for free and let your current bike help pay for the next one. See you on the trails.