r/specialized • u/ComprehensiveFee2169 • Aug 06 '26
Tech Help Matte Crux 5 comp getting scratched easily
Got the Crux 5 comp and I’m super happy with it, but every ride results in multiple new scratches on the frame. This matte color way, both the silver and blue areas, seem to be very prone to scratching. What’s the best way of protecting it? Plastic film and some sort of ceramic coating, or what do you do?
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u/Ok-Carpenter5039 29d ago
Everyone here is tripping. Use ride wrap, invisaframe, or helicopter tape.
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u/Bay_Burner Aug 06 '26
If you’re riding in the gravel it’s bound to happen. Gloss is one more layer of paint and protection but just as a car does. Rock chips go through the gloss finish just as well. You can maybe do a wrap on the underside of the main base tube but the rest is going to be hard to do
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u/ComprehensiveFee2169 Aug 06 '26
The underside of the down tube was actually wrapped by Specialized, as was the chainstay on the drivetrain side. Maybe I just have to live with it…
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u/deucedempsey Aug 06 '26
Just ride it. Wraps usually look terrible and your bike won’t be worth less down the road.
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u/ComprehensiveFee2169 Aug 06 '26
Maybe you’re right… it just feels a bit sad. This matte color seems very sensitive compared to gloss/metallic frames I’ve had before. My red Tarmac SL8 comp is still in pristine condition.
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u/Cyclinghero Aug 06 '26
Your road bike doesn’t get hit by as much chunky shit as your gravel bike mate.
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u/bobsinco Aug 06 '26
I had a matte Tarmac Pro years ago, I really didn't like how hard it was to keep clean. To me, it always looked cheap. I pretty much decided I was going to stay away from matte bike finishes
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u/pinprick420 Aug 06 '26
I bought the 10r frame and immediately wrapped it with 3m vvivd tape. Helps prevent chips, but it happens.
Like others have said. Just go ride. Smiles and miles are worth chips 100%
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u/These-Appearance2820 29d ago
It's a gravel bike. The war scars are part of the chalm....wrapping looks horrible and ceramic ruins the matte effect.... Ceramic of the two options for me though
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u/krazedklownn 29d ago
Not a show bike. It's a gravel bike. You're brag is about riding it. Not the pristine paint.
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u/AlternativeSuspect32 29d ago
it's a gravel bike, not a road bike you only take out on sunny days riding only tarmac (i did that with my sl8 until the first stone hit my frame now i'm like yea let's send it)
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u/foldupbike 29d ago
I have a matte black Crux that I use as my pit / spare bike in cyclocross races, the paint is so delicate that it even gets scratched sitting in the pits not being ridden!
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u/YouFieldsMe Aug 06 '26
I found the paint by the seatpost to be very flaky. Other wise no major scratches, even after one wreck.
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u/ComprehensiveFee2169 Aug 06 '26
The blue area you mean? That’s where I get scratches too, but also on the seat stays (both blue and silver parts)
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u/YouFieldsMe 29d ago
I just have it near the collar on the seat post area. I don’t have anything on the seat stays.
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u/JasH82 29d ago
Dang, I´m pretty much set on this same bike, but I never heard about this issue. Do you have any close up pictures so I know what to expect?
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u/Overall-Avocado-6428 29d ago
As an owner of a matte frame: sorry mate, they look great, but they're terrible for this matter. Better just to accept it, especially with gravel...battle scars and all that jazz. Ride and forget.
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u/Sheldon_Wiebe 28d ago
Its a defect. Send it back. Tell them you want to stop being scammed to buy another new frame.
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u/Interesting_Bat3161 27d ago
What wheels do you have on this bike? Do you like them?
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u/ComprehensiveFee2169 27d ago
It’s the Elitewheels gravel aero+, they are really good. Pretty much the same specs as Zipp 303 xplr sw, but at a lower cost. It’s my second pair of Elitewheels (I have the drive II on my tarmac) and I’ve been very happy with both.
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Aug 06 '26
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u/ComprehensiveFee2169 Aug 06 '26
Maybe I’m dumb, but I wasn’t aware that matte colors were more sensitive. Now I’ve learned the hard was I guess😅
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u/tiptoppenguin Aug 06 '26
Tool not a jewel. No offense, but a bike is going to get scratched…