Felt F4x vs Focus Mares Rival 1 vs Spesh Crux Elite X1

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otoman
Posts: 553
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:25 pm
Location: Nashville

by otoman

Hey everyone...

I'm interested in anyone's feedback about the above mentioned bikes. Even if you haven't directly compared these models, I'd appreciate your impression of the different bikes if you've spent much time on them.

I'm looking at three different carbon frame, hydro disc, 1x options that I can get at an LBS.

1)Specialized Crux Elite X1, retails for $2900, not sure what the shop would do there on a deal....
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes ... -x1/115167

2)Focus Mares Rival 1. retails for $3k, could probably get it for $2800.
https://www.focus-bikes.com/de_en/18532 ... al-1.html/

3) Felt F4x, retails $2500, could get it for $2300.
http://www.feltbicycles.com/Internation ... s/F4x.aspx

I guess what I'm most interested in is handling characteristics. I have a >10 y.o. Redline CX bike that handles like an old Lincoln Continental -- slow, heavy, sluggish, hard to convince to change direction. So I'd love something that feels more like a road bike -- quicker handling, yet stable enough that I'm not going to afraid it's going to throw me down and snap a collar bone at any given moment :lol:

I feel like I have a general sense on road bikes what the geometry charts will tell me about the handling qualities of a bike -- I just don't have that experience looking at CX bike geometries. Thanks everyone! :beerchug:
Age and treachery shall overcome youth and skill

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AJS914
Posts: 5397
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

I picked up a 2015 S-Works Crux this year. I'm loving it. Riding my road bike feels like training but riding my Crux feels like fun. It helps that there are gravel roads and trails all around here.

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