Quiver

2015 Salsa Warbird vs 2017 Specialized Crux Elite

The Specialized Crux Elite size closest to your 55 is the 56. Compare the 56 instead

What changes on the Specialized Crux Elite

Compared with the Salsa Warbird in 55, the Specialized Crux Elite in 46 places the top of the head tube 56 mm lower and 7 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 17 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−57 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−7 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−17 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
−1.0°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
−5 mm
Shorter: livelier

The two frames

2015 Salsa Warbird (55) and 2017 Specialized Crux Elite (46), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Salsa Warbird is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Specialized Crux Elite is the colored outline on top.J 1025

Salsa Warbird, 55Specialized Crux Elite, 46Drawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSalsa Warbird 55Specialized Crux Elite 46Difference
Reach373.1366mm−7 mm
Stack578.5522mm−57 mm
Head tube angle70.569.5°−1.0°
Seat tube angle7375.5°+2.5°
Effective top tube550501mm−49 mm
Chainstay length430425mm−5 mm
Wheelbase1025.21008mm−17 mm
BB drop7071mm+1 mm
Standover824.7764mm−61 mm
Seat tube length560470mm−90 mm
Fork length395400mm+5 mm
Head tube length150100mm−50 mm
BB heightnot listed279mm

Differences are the Specialized Crux Elite minus the Salsa Warbird. Full charts: 2015 Salsa Warbird, 2017 Specialized Crux Elite.

Where each sits in its class

Salsa WarbirdSpecialized Crux Elite

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other gravel bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartSalsa Warbird2Specialized Crux EliteElite X1
FrameSalsa Warbirdnot listed
ForkENVE CX DiscSpecialized CruX
ShifterShimano 105SRAM Rival
DerailleurShimano 105SRAM Rival 1
CassetteShimano 105SRAM PG-1130
ChainKMC X11LSRAM PC-1130
CranksetShimano CX50SRAM Rival 1
WheelsetSalsa Formula hubs / WTB rimsDT Swiss R460
TireSchwalbe Sammy SlickSpecialized Terra Pro
BrakeSRAM BB7RSRAM Rival
HandlebarSalsa Cowbell 2not listed
StemSalsa Guidenot listed
GripsSalsa Gelnot listed
HeadsetCane Creek 40 ISnot listed
SeatpostTruVativ Stylo T20not listed
SaddleWTB SilveradoSpecialized Phenom Comp
Chainringnot listedSRAM X-Sync

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