Open Upper vs. New Specialized Crux: Best Gravel Bikes
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- The Open Upper/Up and the new Specialized Crux are two of the best gravel bikes on the market today- only one can take the cake. Find out which is the winner of these two, incredible machines.
Gear I’m Riding and Into (updated 10/2023) ↓↓↓
Tires- Vittoria Corsa Pros: amzn.to/44U9XDx
Tires- Continental GP5000 S TR: geni.us/AY6XacE
Sealant- Orange Sealed: amzn.to/44U9XDx
Drink Mix: geni.us/4v6bx
Recovery Drink: geni.us/PhAN
Road Bike- Tarmac SL8: geni.us/dD4d
Road Bike- Tarmac SL7: geni.us/3YZ7Ll
Gravel Bike- Crux: geni.us/eYvO
MTB Bike- Epic Evo: geni.us/2rmFy
All-Around Helmet- Prevail 3: geni.us/MY7W
Road Helmet- Evade 3: geni.us/ReXn7
Road Shoes, SW7 Lace: geni.us/rBAzM
Gravel Shoes, Recon Lace: geni.us/tzba
Road Wheels- Enve 4.5: geni.us/yy3ao
Gravel Wheels- Reserve 40|44: geni.us/1iKt6Z
Wheels- Fillmore Valves: geni.us/uQQTZ6
Computer- Wahoo ELMNT Bolt: amzn.to/45VERgm
Pro Stealth Saddle: amzn.to/3sVd9S7
*Some of these are affiliate links
Instagram: @outdoorbros_
Another great informative vid! Watching your Crux series with close interest to see how your experience continues to play out.
Thanks Bob- Merry Christmas!
You have such a professional style, really like it. 👍 no sponsorship just honest opinion in a lovely layout. Keep it up mate, btw agree on double chainring
Awesome video! I own an Open Upper in M (I'm 5'8") and it's been my one bike for road and gravel. I'm so, so happy with it. I run Enve G23's with 35mm Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass Extralights for my road setup (not aero, but exceptionally comfortable) and Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.1" on 650b's for my gravel setup -- extra chunky and cush. I totally agree with your ride handling description on the Upper -- not as nimble as a Tarmac (my prev bike), but still rides like a road bike and is VERY stable at high speeds. Oh, and I run a 2x setup (GRX Di2) and it's perfect for my 80 road / 20 gravel mix.
This sounds like a dreamy setup!
I can almost entirely endorse your comment. I have ridden 5.000 km of road and gravel over six months on my OPEN UPPER (XL; I’m 189cm) and have all but stopped riding my road bikes (BMC SLR and TMR). Two wheelsets: 700C with 38mm Rene Herse Barlow Pass extra-light and 650B with 48mm Rene Herse Juniper Ridge extra-light knobby tires. Tire width is 43 and 51mm respectively on the 25mm wide rims (internal). Group set is Campagnolo Ekar 1x13, with 38t chainring and 9-42t (700C) and 10-44t cassette
Follow-up: I got a THIRD wheel set earlier this year -- the Enve 4.5's (love your recent video on it too, btw). It's now the perfect setup for everything I think. I use the Enve 4.5 with 28mm tires for fast group rides (and it even looks like a road bike!). My Enve G23's now either run 40mm gravel tires with slick center tread for fast, compact gravel rides (I like the Pirelli Cinturato M), or I put on the 35mm Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass's on for rough road terrain or high winds (read: Bay Area cycling). And, my Schwalbe 2.1" 650b Thunder Burts are for the chunky, wish-I-had-a-MTB rides like the Belgian Waffle Race in Cedar City.
Thank you for the video. You know my stance :)
what is your stance
Mr. @jabig!!! I know your stance and respect it more than you know. I look forward to riding with you soon!
Great video! Where would you say the Ibis Hakka MX frame fit in?
Thanks
Really digging your videos. Sorry for all the questions I’m newer to the road bike and gravel scene, but I’m addicted. Curious on your thoughts on the Aspero vs the Crux?
Thanks Jeremy! I think the Aspero’s geometry makes it a little more suited for more technical gravel. The Crux feels a lot more responsive and snappy, but reaches it’s gravel limits fairly quickly.
Great video. I like how you broke down what you like about each bike. I was considering a Crux for the quiver killer but ended up with a Cervelo Aspero and absolutely love it. It was much more budget friendly too haha.
Nice! The Aspero is awesome, no doubt and probably the best value in gravel bikes right now.
Ive ridden and OPEN UP and a Cervelo, along with MANY other gravel bikes, but not yet the Crux. The UP and Aspero are my two favorites
Damn, I can’t find one around to try in my size…. I’m between a 48 and 51 ugh
@@lanceoa 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 let’s hope they’re in stock soon!
Awesome review. I will second the support at OPEN. They are amazing and always replying and commenting on the threads posted in the forums.
Seriously, they’re fantastic. Nothing but love for OPEN.
Great video and super informative. I've been deciding between 3 great bikes for my next ride: Open Up or Specialized Crux or Allied Echo. I like aspects of each, but you made a very convincing case in favor of Open for me because I really want a bike that feels like a road bike but can handle gravel, fire roads, trails when necessary. I'd say my riding is about 80/20 road vs gravel. I also loved the point you made about Open being a bit of a 'culture' oriented bike company. That has come through loud and clear when I've communicated with the company. There are clearly some very passionate Open owners and I do love the whole 'working to stay small' vibe. I probably ride about 15,000 plus miles a year and participate in several adventure tours annually. Those require a bike that can handle a minimum of 35mm because you're in some remote parts of the world where roads aren't always paved. But once again I'm finding that most of the riding is still road and you're covering 80-100 miles a day which means you want an endurance bike that can allow you to move quickly but still be comfortable.
Thanks for the sharing your experiences with these two bikes as it is reassuring to hear observations from someone like yourself who clearly loves this sport and who pays attention to some of the finer details. I very much appreciate your insights.
Glad they were helpful! All of those bikes are solid and ones that I’ve considered.
I was in the similar situation as you, me, mind was put on an Echo and their geometry is quite different from others IMO.
While I was sitting on one in the bike shop, I saw an open-up for the first time in person. From the moment I sat in it, I was more confused than ever. It was like "where have you been forever". I left without a bicycle and did some research on this bicycle and the company. The next day, I contacted the bike shop and an Open U.P. is going to be ready for me next week. So happy to choose components to build the bike for the first time.
What bicycle did you choose?
@@benjaminthompson3052 -- Thanks for sharing and I think you'll be extremely happy with your purchase Ben. I had the good fortune to realize that one of our local shops here on the north shore of Boston is an Open dealer. I already knew the owner, but didn't know he was riding an Open himself until one day I was in the shop and he showed me his bike. They had a demo Open available and he told me to take it for a week and see what I thought. Well suffice to say, one week turned into two and then I realized I should probably give it back. But I absolutely LOVED the way it rode. So much so that my older bike wasn't even a consideration as I headed out to ride day after day. The Open was a must have. I was about to buy the Demo bike when I saw an email from Open about a new Open Upper they were producing in limited numbers, a baby blue Rene Herse edition. I knew instantly that was going to be my next bike. I 've had it now for about two weeks and even though it's winter here, I've gotten out on it a couple of times. But it's currently packed away as we're heading to India to ride for three weeks in a few days. I went with the Ekar 1X groupset because Open offered me a great deal on the Enve/Ekar setup. So far I'm absolutely loving this bike. I can't wait to spend three weeks on it in India.
@@brianmccloskey6451 the limited edition Rene Herse looked beautiful! Awesome to hear it worked out!
I'm a bit of newbie to all this. I rode my first gravel bike last weekend (Hakka MX) and it was the most fun I've had cycling in years. You mention the second-hand bike market, are there particular websites where these niche/specialist bikes are sold (beyond ebay)? Thanks
Would love to hear your thoughts on a comparison between the Crux and the Diverge or the Crux and the Aspero. I have a road bike and a XC bike already but am looking to get a gravel/cx bike that I picture doing gravel races in the spring and then switching the tires out for 33s and racing CX in the fall, then maybe using it as a winter road bike in the winter (dealing with the snow and slush). Not looking to do touring or bike packing or to replace my XC or road bike.
I've got a Crux vs. Diverge video on the calendar! Quick thoughts are that the Crux would be perfect for what you've mentioned.
Great video
Thanks Kameel!
I have the previous crux with a 43mm front tire and 38mm rear tire. Wider isn't possible but this already nails a lot. New crux sure is sexy but weight etc isn't the issue. Would you say there is a huge difference with 45 or 47mm tires?
Where did you get those bape camo bibs??
Great video - glad I stumbled on your channel.. SUBD!
Rad, thanks Dan!
Informative. I have been Riding an UP as an all road/gravel bike/bad weather/vacation bike. It sees way more road miles then gravel. Had been thinking about trying to find a gravel bike that feel a bit closer to my road bikes then the UP. Hearing that the upper feels more road oriented then the crux rules the crux out for me. Considering allied echo.
Brian, thanks for the feedback. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on the echo. That’s a bike I had also looked at, along with the allroad. I like what Allied is doing- really cool brand.
@@outdoorbros_ getting close to pulling the trigger on the allied echo but not there just yet. If I do it I will definitely post here how it feels vs the open Up. I imagine the Allied echo will certainly feel more like a road bike on the road then the Open Up. The question is do I give up much,if anything, on gravel with the Allied Echo vs the Open Up and do I gain enough on the road riding side to warrant the expense.
@@brianstein406 great question. If you come to a conclusion here, let me know!
Thanks for your thoughts, I was thinking about building an open up until the crux was released, I currently ride a trek Boone which is whippy and fun on most off-road routes. I’ve wanted a 2by set up with wider wheel/tires set up for the longer and hilly routes , i also wanted it to be fun, light and responsive. As the pro frameset only is unavailable in the uk, I’ve gone over budget and have the sworks in black arriving in March 🙏. I’m going with the rotor 48/32 oval chainset and grx di2 groupset , ffwd drift wheels, I think there’s racier looking models, especially with the internal routing, but the crux definitely appeals for the same reasons you describe in your post. 👍
You’re welcome- hope it helps! Available inventory is a world wide issue these days. Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan for your build.
@@outdoorbros_ ive been fortunate by having a great store that done me a no finance deal, i already had the wheels new and they have the rest of the parts in stock and the frame on order, am paying the equivalent price of the multicoloured pro level full build, its a huge saving compared to the complete s-works build and i get the 2by, happy days!
Good stuff here
Thanks Mike!
Hello! Just purchased the same Crux frame and I absolutely love it! It is a revelation. My mechanic suggested a mullet build. I have a red 40T up front with a power meter and an 50t Eagle out back. Why move to the 2x? Just a greater variety of gearing? Where did you find yourself lacking on the mullet build? Is there a weight benefit? Thanks!!
I got you on Instagram! See you down here soon.
OPEN Wide would be a better comparison for technical gravel rides.
watched this, because I own an upper (size L). Currently in road mode because I got myself a TI graveler. Was a bit thrown off by the tire clearance section, because I easily fit a 45mm/700c tire or an 2.1" 650b into my frame. I currently run ENVE SES AR 3.4s but also had a set of Hunt gravel wheels on there. Very intrigued by the Crux as the frame just looks absolutely amazing! Btw. current weight on the open: 6.62 kg (with xtr pedals :)
You’re able to fit a 45mm tire on the Upper? Which tire? Good stuff- thanks for watching!
@@outdoorbros_ I think they were WTB Raddlers, on DT Swiss GRC 1400 wheels. I just see now, they're actually 44x700 🤷
@@weedseed2 No issues with the 44m tires on the upper? Trying to decide between upper and wide...I'm torn over the tire clearance
@@CG-df5ly It's definitely a snug fit, but also depends on the rims you mount the tires on. Upper or Wide... very much depends on the intended area of use. The wide however has definitely a more relaxed geometry, where the upper imho comes very close to a road bike frame... test ride?
@@weedseed2 Appreciate the input. I road a XL (my size) wide and a L upper around a parking lot. Leaning wide right now for bigger tire clearance. I run 45c on my trek checkpoint right now. I right road to and from gravel. Sometimes road only rides, but never in a group where I'd need to keep up with pure road bikes. Leaning wide for the tire clearance and then eventually get a true road bike too.
Fantastic review. Are either of the frames smoother than the other when riding on gravel?
Good question. I’d say the Crux is a hair smoother.
🔥🔥🔥
I would choose crux over open simply cause I prefer threaded over press fit BB.
Also a great point. Threaded bottom brackets are just so easy to work with.
On stats alone a 54 fits the numbers I prefer with the exception of the stand over. It would be 1:1. Have you noticed an issue with standover on yours. Unfortunately I have always been right on the in between line, but this is the most extreme standover I’ve seen. The website recommends a 54 too. Just seems odd. Great and informative Crux reviews. Really appreciate them.
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
No issues with stand over height. To me, it feels just like the tarmac in terms of stand over height.
This is great timing, since these two bikes are the top of my list. I was leaning towards the S-Works, but I think you pointed me in the smarter direction: "downgrade" to the Crux pro frame, and use the price difference for a second set of wheels (one for gravel, one for road), so that I can truly make this my do-it-all bike. Thanks for your insight.
Thanks Neil! I don’t think you’ll be bummed with the less expensive frame and a second set of wheels. Let me know how it goes!
Chris, how do you think the Crux might compare to the BMC URS? Thanks!
I really like the idea of the URS. I think it’ll definitely handle more technical terrain than the crux, but likely be a bit more sluggish on the smooth stuff/roads. I’ve yet to see one in person- I’ll give you some additional thoughts when I do.
Looking at both of these options as well as the allied echo. Do you the open up is a bit dated and do for a refresh? Or was it so far ahead of its time that it still holds its own against the latest all road options?
What's up, Brian? I also considered the Echo. I've been a huge fan of what Allied is doing and the Echo was a consideration, there just wasn't anyone local who rides one to get first-person feedback.
In the broad chart of "gravel" bikes, I think the Upper is dated only in the sense of tire clearance. Other than tire clearance limitations, I think it's 10/10. I think it could also be argued that the Upper is more of an all-road bike and, viewed through that lens, the Upper actually has massive tire clearance and is ahead of its time.
@@outdoorbros_ got it thanks! I’m definitely looking for a road race bike that’s versatile vs. a gravel bike than can do road. From your comparison to the crux the open sounds like a great fit and so does the allied. Tough choice! Appreciate the help.
What wheel/tire setup were you running in mammoth on the upper? Deciding between upper and wide, and can't decide whether or not I'll end up regretting the tire clearance on the upper. Thanks!
What’s up, CG? Tires were definitely the 42mm WTB Resolutes and wheels were either the Zipp 303s or Reserved 32. Used the same setup for Wasatch All-Road and it was super grippy.
@@outdoorbros_ Thanks! Do you think you could have run a 2x with the 42s? Or would it have been too tight?
I would buy the Crux cause threaded BB ... But in general for my style of non competive Cross/Grave/Allroad l riding i feel much better on my Reynolds 853 All City Macho King (parts and wheels carbon).
I like the durabilty, power transfer and suppleness you get from a good steel frame. If you build it up with nice with good light carbon parts ...i love steel frames....
I have yet to ride a steel frame, but this is tempting…
@@outdoorbros_try it - good steel is amazing for a cross/allroad/long distance bike. i have switch back from a cervelo aspero (exact the same very light Carbon set up, 8kg cervelo 58 - 9.2 kg All City XL , complete 40 mm. tires and pedals) cause Power transfer and general ride feel is better for me on steel.
who makes ur shirt?
I prefer to compare with the Open Wide as same tire width !!
Fair point. I think the WIDE would be more on par with the Diverge, but it’s worth comparing.
Curious, as I very close to pulling the trigger due to scarcity and just wanting the bike so much- worth getting the Crux when you already have the Aethos? Or is thw difference mostly marginal and marketing- obsessed with the Aethos but just curious of your thoughts- Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas! Good question- I think it depends on your riding style. How much dirt are you riding? I’m logging a few more miles on the Aethos before I do an Aethos vs. Crux video, but my initial impressions are that they’re very different machines.
@@outdoorbros_ thanks man! Yeah anytime I get near gravel with my Aethos I get nervous, though I understand it can take more than I give it credit for- I just figured the Crux would allay those worries while keeping that truly incredible ride quality. But the Aethos is the best bike I’ve ever ridden for my tastes- pure joy. Hoping the Crux is same for the rougher tarmac and gravel in cali.
( to actually answer your question, currently very little gravel but mainly due to my concerns haha. Can’t wait to get amongst it however!)
Trying to buy a Crux pro fame only. Cant find one anywhere in North America.
They’re so hard to find. I know some shops will strip complete builds and sell just the frame. I’ve done that before and it has worked well.
Do you think you could almost squeeze a 50mm or 2 inch tyre on the crux? I know it's max says 47mm....
I haven’t tried, but I don’t think it’s possible unless it’s a unique tire/wheel combo. If you hear of someone squeezing a 50mm, let me know!
@@outdoorbros_ Okay thanks, I guess they would have to drop the chainstays to make more clearance like the Giant Revolt that fits 50mm
@@SimonAskham most likely. I even think 47’s will be tight.
can you comment on the compliance of the crux?
The Open is let down by its shitty pressfit BB. Bring on the creaking! Thanks for all the great videos
Ahhh, come on. The Open is awesome! No love for the pressfit BB?
Zero love for the press fit.
You could also go for the Open U.P., a little bit more weight but vor "only" 2800 € and the same geometry like the U.P.P.E.R.
Absolutely. Probably the best option.
Why not an Open UP which is significantly less than the UPPER?
Good question. You can substitute UP for Upper most sections in the video- it’s a solid choice. There was a clip of one segment where I mentioned the UP, but I must have cut it from the final edit. That being said, I didn’t include it because, 1. I don’t have experience with it, other than knowing it’s identical to the Upper with a bit more weight and 2. I think the Crux Pro at 825g (vs 1040g) for only $200 more than the UP should be a stronger consideration and it’s a better value. Not a knock on Open- hopefully it’s clear how much I genuinely enjoyed and endorse the Upper.
UP is to 10r Crux as the UPPER is to the 12r (SWorks) Crux He was trying to keep it apples to apples as much as possible
LOL, two cheaply fabricated Chinese cookie cutter bikes are the best. Hahaha 😀😆😆
Ivan... come on, buddy. Which bike do you recommend? Would love to know.