Quiver

2016 Specialized Crux Elite vs 2018 Salsa Warbird Carbon

The 51 is the Salsa Warbird Carbon size closest to your 46.0 Specialized Crux Elite. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.

What changes on the Salsa Warbird Carbon

Compared with the Specialized Crux Elite in 46.0, the Salsa Warbird Carbon in 51 places the top of the head tube 6 mm higher and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket.

Frame stack
+6 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
+3 mm
About the same reach
Wheelbase
−1 mm
About the same
Head angle
+0.5°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
+5 mm
Longer: more planted

The two frames

2016 Specialized Crux Elite (46.0) and 2018 Salsa Warbird Carbon (51), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Crux Elite is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Salsa Warbird Carbon is the colored outline on top.J 1008

Specialized Crux Elite, 46.0Salsa Warbird Carbon, 51Drawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Crux Elite 46.0Salsa Warbird Carbon 51Difference
Reach366368.6+3 mm
Stack522527.7+6 mm
Head tube angle69.570+0.5°
Seat tube angle75.574.5−1.0°
Effective top tube501515+14 mm
Chainstay length425430+5 mm
Wheelbase10081007.4−1 mm
BB drop7170−1 mm
BB height279not listed
Seat tube length470455−15 mm
Fork length400405+5 mm
Head tube length100100±0 mm
Standovernot listed716.2

Differences are the Salsa Warbird Carbon minus the Specialized Crux Elite. Full charts: 2016 Specialized Crux Elite, 2018 Salsa Warbird Carbon.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Crux EliteSalsa Warbird Carbon

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.

PartSpecialized Crux EliteElite X1Salsa Warbird Carbon
ForkSpecialized FACT carbonnot listed
ShifterSRAM Rivalnot listed
DerailleurSRAM Rival 1not listed
CassetteSRAM PG-1130not listed
ChainSRAM PC-1130not listed
CranksetSRAM Rival 1not listed
Bottom bracketSRAM BB30not listed
WheelsetSpecialized AXIS 4.0not listed
TireSpecialized Terra Pronot listed
BrakeSRAM Rivalnot listed
HandlebarSpecialized Compnot listed
StemSpecialized Comp Multinot listed
Bar tapeSpecialized CX Pro Gelnot listed
SeatpostSpecialized Sportnot listed
SaddleSpecialized Phenom Compnot listed

Know what is on every bike.

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