Pro bike: Rebecca Rusch’s Specialized S-Works Crux

Pro bike: Rebecca Rusch’s Specialized S-Works Crux

A look at the Queen of Pain’s gravel race rig

This was Rusch's second year racing the Dirty Kanza 200; her weapon of choice was a Specialzied S-Works CruX with big tires

Josh Patterson/Future Publishing

Josh Patterson

Published: June 7, 2013 at 3:00 am
This was Rusch's second year racing the Dirty Kanza 200; her weapon of choice was a Specialzied S-Works CruX with big tires - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch broke her finger while setting a new women's record on the 142-mile Kokopelli trail a month before the DK200 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch was running a Garmin Edge 810 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Her bike was equipped with SRAM Red 22 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Inline barrel adjusters allow her to make minor adjustments on the bike - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch choose to run an 50/34t chainring combo - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The derailleur line is routed through the drive-side chainstay - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The S-Works CruX uses Specialized's premium carbon - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch runs Crankbrothers' lightweight Eggbeater 11 pedals - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Many riders use a 'Bento box,' a small feed bag mounted to the handlebar or top tube - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
No Red 22 hydros here, just tried and true Avid BB7 SL mechanical disc brakes - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
A small saddle bag just large enough for a couple of tubes and a multi-tool - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch's tires were marked 'prototype.' According to Rusch, they have an additonal layer of flat protection - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The 700x38mm Trigger tires have a round profile and fast-rolling tread perfect for ticking off miles of gravel roads - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Plenty of clearance in the fork - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The chainstays have decent mud clearance with 38mm-wide tires installed - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Specialized's Roval Rapide CLX 40 Disc is designed as an all-around aero wheelset - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Comfort is the name of a game for 200 miles of gravel; Rusch runs her handlebar level with her saddle - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rusch clinched the women's victory for a time, finishing the 203-mile gravel road race in 12 hours and 51 minutes - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing

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Tire choice is key to surviving this event. The gravel in this region of the state is notorious for the razor sharp flint that can shred lightweight tires. Rusch ran a pair of prototype 700x38 Specialized Trigger tires — just enough volume to take the edge of the rough gravel roads. According the Rusch, her tires have an additional layer of protection to guard against punctures.

The 700x38mm trigger tires have a round profile and fast-rolling tread perfect for ticking off miles of gravel roads: - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing

These 700x38 Trigger tires have a fast-rolling tread and an additional layer of flat protection

Her CruX was kitted out with SRAM’s new 11-speed Red 22 group. A 50/34t compact crankset paired with an 11-28t cassette provided enough gearing to power up the many climbs and endure the gusty headwinds. While Red 22 is available with a hydraulic disc option, Rusch opted to run the mechanical version with Avid BB7 SL disc brakes.

Many DK200 racers double-wrap their handlebars or add a layer of gel padding underneath the bar tape to reduce hand fatigue and numbness. Rusch suffered a broken finger while setting a new Kokopelli trail record five weeks earlier. The four-time Leadville Trail 100 winner was worried how her injured index finger would hold up. “The mechanics at Sunflower created a ‘finger couch’ so I could rest my broken finger,” Rusch said.

Rusch broke her finger while setting a new women's record on the 142-mile kokopelli trail a month before the dk200: rusch broke her finger while setting a new women's record on the 142-mile kokopelli trail a month before the dk200 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing

A bulge in the bar tape supports Rusch's broken finger

The injured digit didn’t appear to hold her back. Rusch clinched the women's victory for a second time, finishing the 203-mile race in 12 hours and 51 minutes.

Complete bike specifications

  • Frame: Specialized S-Works Crux, 52cm
  • Fork: Specialized FACT Disc carbon, tapered 1.125-1.375in
  • Stem: Truvativ Stylo, 100mm
  • Handlebars: Specialized S-Works Carbon Compact, 40cm
  • Front brake: Avid BB7 SL w/160mm rotor
  • Rear brake: Avid BB7 SL w/160mm rotor
  • Shift/Brake levers: SRAM RED 22 DoubleTap
  • Front derailleur: SRAM RED 22
  • Rear derailleur: SRAM RED 22
  • Cassette: SRAM X-Glide 1190, 11-28t
  • Chain: SRAM RED 22
  • Crankset: SRAM RED 50/34t, w/Quarq power meter
  • Bottom bracket: SRAM PressFit BB30
  • Pedals: CrankBrothers Eggbeater 11
  • Wheelset: Roval Rapide CLX 40 Disc
  • Front tire: Specialized Trigger, 700x38mm
  • Rear tire: Specialized Trigger, 700x38mm
  • Saddle: Specialized Oura Pro
  • Seatpost: Specialized S-Works SL Carbon, 25mm setback
  • Bottle cages: Specialized Rib Cage Carbon
  • Computer: Garmin Edge 810 w/Garmin out front mount
  • Other accessories: Specialized Airtool Carbon frame pump, Specialized Vital Pack and Mini Wedgie frame and saddle bag
Rusch clinched the women's victory for a time, finishing the 203-mile gravel road race in 12 hours and 51 minutes: - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing

Critical measurements

  • Rider's height: 1.7m (5ft 7in)
  • Rider's weight: 61.2kg (135lb)
  • Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 714mm
  • Saddle setback: 36mm
  • Seat tube length, c-t: 510mm
  • Seat tube length, c-c: 470mm
  • Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 510mm
  • Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 0 (level)
  • Head tube length: 125mm
  • Top tube length: 537mm

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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