Indeed, I am considering the Crux as well as the Felt cyclocross line. I hear great things about the Crux, and if I was just racing it would likely be the one I would go with. I have an S-works Tarmac, and LOVE it. However, since in order to get to any gravel and dirt rides, I will likely often ride a fair amount of road, the Diverge seems at least worth entertaining.
i guess the question is: what downsides do you see to the crux relative to the diverge?
i don’t really see any. you can run narrower tires if you want, but you have the option for larger volume tires. the crux handles similar to the tarmac (i bet the diverge is solid, too).
seems to me like the crux doesn’t have weaknesses relative to the diverge, only additional options.
Well for one, the Diverge has a lower BB drop, rack and fender mounts, and a more relaxed geometry - often desirable when touring or riding gravel roads and/or trails. The fact that the Diverge might not be able to take quite as large a tire as the Crux is moot. It takes a tire plenty wide enough for just about everything short of single track mountain trails. The Crux is beautiful and well designed (like all Specialized bikes) but, its focus is on cross racing. Nevertheless, if I already had a Crux then I’d probably try and work around its shortcomings in order to prevent having to buy another bike. They are close enough in most respects.
thanks. i truly didn’t know the differences (which is why i asked).
for what it’s worth, while i can’t comment on the difference between ‘touring’ or ‘riding’ and ‘racing’, i have not found any issues in handling with the crux on dirt/gravel–it doesn’t seem too aggressive at all. of course, i ride my tarmac on plenty of dirt and gravel, too.
i figured if the OP was possibly going to race CX, then the crux might be a nice way to go (and then deal with the shortcomings), as he has a bike that can ride any gravel out there (and do so VERY well) and can also race at the highest level. but if he is going to only do so very rarely it might make more sense to get the diverge and deal with it’s cross shortcomings, which seem a bit bigger to me.