I used a near identical setup for Bright Midinight gravel ultra a month or so ago (SW crux + tailfin in full bikepack mode) - no regrets! It's a super capable rig
Just did 90 miles with 9,000 ft. of climbing over tough Southern Wales roads, double track, single track, and "no" track... at all on my Crux with a Tailfin rig (as you have above). Bike and gear performed well on my single overnight bikepacking. Of course, the Crux wasn't "built" for bikepacking, BUT does just fine. My rig's 2" tires at low pressure help too.
I have a 2x Diverge - it is awesome for bike packing, and quite nice for long distance cruising too (bit like a slightly slower Roubaix), but I love the fact that you can do most things on most bikes if you want to!! You looked happy, so that’s what matters 😀.
I have a nearly identical bikepacking setup for my Crux. Tailfin aeropack is the way to go for sure. I went with the carbon to save a little weight. The Crux wasn’t made for bikepacking but it can hang, and is quite light.
Nice bikepacking setup and tour with your S-Works dream bike. 🫶🏼 Especially, the Tailfin rear rack is a great choice to convert any bike into bikepacking mode. Once I have fully recovered, I‘ll finally buy a 2025 Crux (DSW) for similar trips and fun on and offroad too.
Can you do a video on practically if using the tail fin. For example changing rear tube if have bad flat that can’t be fixed by plug. Secondly what you do when you get to accomodation and you need to remove all your stuff if can’t have the bike in your room
The Tailfin removes in 5 seconds, it's real easy, so you can remove it for changing a flat tyre or taking into your accommodation of choice. My Tailfin has the bag integrated into the rack but they do one with a separate bag that allows you to remove the bag while leaving the rack on the frame. And if you have mudguard/rack eyelets like you get on a steel/ti frame, you can get optional mounting kit that doesn't use the thru-axle, and this allows you to remove the rear wheel with the rack still fitted. Hope that helps
i am riding a ridley kanzo fast at the moment but looking out for a new bike. does anyone know what the weight limit is on the crux pro? If it is 109kg I would exceed it with my tailfin setup. 120kg would be perfect :)
3,2,1 before some salty penny pincher comes in with their main criticism having nothing to do about the bikes performance, but only about the bike industry and prices.
Same. The true one bike for all. Although at this point the Crux is so light, I feel like it would be very difficult to merge it with the Diverge line, like they did with Tarmac and Venge on the road side.
Anyone bikepacking in the pacific north west i would recommend a dedicated 'food bag' you can separate at night. Last thing I want is a bear doing $10,000 worth of damage because it smelled a food wrapper in my frame bag. Say i'm paranoid but if you ever seen a polar bear from a bicycle and not the safety of a car and you'll change your mind.
even more importantly, you made a bike you own work for you and it handled it well enough. that’s pretty cool 👍
Specialized is always pushing the boundaries of what bikes can do. Very innovative company. Love their bikes.
Nice bike David. Always cool to see our kit out in the wild, even better when they are getting used this much.
Love it! Why do I own twelve bikes anymore? Who knows. You can adapt most bikes to do many different types of riding.
I used a near identical setup for Bright Midinight gravel ultra a month or so ago (SW crux + tailfin in full bikepack mode) - no regrets! It's a super capable rig
Just did 90 miles with 9,000 ft. of climbing over tough Southern Wales roads, double track, single track, and "no" track... at all on my Crux with a Tailfin rig (as you have above). Bike and gear performed well on my single overnight bikepacking. Of course, the Crux wasn't "built" for bikepacking, BUT does just fine. My rig's 2" tires at low pressure help too.
I have a 2x Diverge - it is awesome for bike packing, and quite nice for long distance cruising too (bit like a slightly slower Roubaix), but I love the fact that you can do most things on most bikes if you want to!!
You looked happy, so that’s what matters 😀.
Lovely bike that Crux, shame it’s aimed more at racers with that aggressive geo.
I have a nearly identical bikepacking setup for my Crux. Tailfin aeropack is the way to go for sure. I went with the carbon to save a little weight. The Crux wasn’t made for bikepacking but it can hang, and is quite light.
Great setup David. Pretty similar to mine in my Alpe Adria Video.
Such a good looking bike, love the paint job too. Looks like great 3 days you had.
Good Work Dave! 👍
“Quite a minimal setup”, while packed half of all belongings 😂
True. Probably quite minimal compared to 5 thousands pannier bags tho
Nice bikepacking setup and tour with your S-Works dream bike. 🫶🏼
Especially, the Tailfin rear rack is a great choice to convert any bike into bikepacking mode.
Once I have fully recovered, I‘ll finally buy a 2025 Crux (DSW) for similar trips and fun on and offroad too.
Any bike can be a bikepacking bike. I'm glad some bike media outlets are starting to dispel this myth that you need a "bikepacking" bike
Great insight - thanks. Just a nitpick - perhaps a better title would be "The Crux makes is surprising good for bike packing"
I have done the KAW twice now, I am pretty sure if I were to do it again I'd use the OnOne Whippet I have not a gravel bike
Can you do a video on practically if using the tail fin. For example changing rear tube if have bad flat that can’t be fixed by plug. Secondly what you do when you get to accomodation and you need to remove all your stuff if can’t have the bike in your room
The Tailfin removes in 5 seconds, it's real easy, so you can remove it for changing a flat tyre or taking into your accommodation of choice. My Tailfin has the bag integrated into the rack but they do one with a separate bag that allows you to remove the bag while leaving the rack on the frame. And if you have mudguard/rack eyelets like you get on a steel/ti frame, you can get optional mounting kit that doesn't use the thru-axle, and this allows you to remove the rear wheel with the rack still fitted. Hope that helps
i am riding a ridley kanzo fast at the moment but looking out for a new bike. does anyone know what the weight limit is on the crux pro? If it is 109kg I would exceed it with my tailfin setup. 120kg would be perfect :)
Will we ever see a review of the crux DSW???
If Specialized send me one yes! But so far they’ve shown no interest- maybe they don’t want it reviewed??
What sleeping bag was that that you used.....looked tiny
3,2,1 before some salty penny pincher comes in with their main criticism having nothing to do about the bikes performance, but only about the bike industry and prices.
😂 they will be here, don’t you worry
I still wish they’d make a version with mounts
Same. The true one bike for all.
Although at this point the Crux is so light, I feel like it would be very difficult to merge it with the Diverge line, like they did with Tarmac and Venge on the road side.
how did you get on fixing the tailfin with the axle (as crux axle fittings are conical ) ?
Tailfin sends you the parts with thru axle to make it work. I have a 2022 Crux and ordered with 1.0mm thru axle option.
@@jonathanray thx for the heads up , i ll check it out
Yes, it was a bad idea when you have a refurbished Secan in you stable...
😅wow nice
Anyone bikepacking in the pacific north west i would recommend a dedicated 'food bag' you can separate at night. Last thing I want is a bear doing $10,000 worth of damage because it smelled a food wrapper in my frame bag. Say i'm paranoid but if you ever seen a polar bear from a bicycle and not the safety of a car and you'll change your mind.
You saw a polar bear in the PNW....?
@@monguzzle I started in Prudhoe Bay Alaska, but this applies to grizzlies too.
@@stevengibbs8117 I've seen a good few bears in the PNW (and in NJ) but I had to query the polar bears haha