Discussion: Specialized Crave 29 2014 - any feedback welcome!

Hi all,

It's time for a new bike and I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a specialized crave 29 2014 but I usually don't see many of those at races (mostly giant/trek I see). Any feedback on this bike from someone who has maybe raced with one or known someone who did?

I own one and this is my second year racing with it (about 8 races total). It's a bit heavy (for me), but it seems to be bomb proof. I've had no issues with it. I also just put a set of Stan's NoTubes on it which did lighten the bike up a bit. Much more responsive also. IMO, you can never go wrong with Specialized :)

just got a 2015 Crave SL, not for AR though, just for MTB. the build was nothing special but the frame seems great! i'll post more after a few rides.

Specialized makes great bikes in general. :)

thanks all, I'm going to pull the trigger.

Bronte, Justme -- going through the FS vs HT decision... on the Crave, how long ar your races and it what area? I am on west coast US and wonder if i will need FS at a weight penalty of about 4lbs (28lb bike).. vs a lighter carbon HT...

Mid-west and the Ontario region of Canada. I've only done one AR in PA where a FS would have been an advantage over an HT (super rocky with a lot of roots). It was the only race that i've done where 90% of the biking was single track. All other races it was 90% paved, gravel road, or two-track where a HT is typically an advantage.

Thanks... probably going with the Cannondale F29 Carbon 4 at 24lbs... HT

I tried a lot of FS options before finally settling on the HT. The FS was of course more comfortable but the extra weight seemed like a big price to pay for the extra comfort.

RE races, I've done mostly 24hr AR and all on HT in Ontario. Like Justme was saying, a lot of gravel road and hydrocut.

I'm saving that FS for a few years from now when my bones can't take it anymore...

GL with the Cannondale!

Ontario hydrocut is half the reason I want a FS next!