Russell Finsterwald’s S-Works Crux

Russell “Finsty” Finsterwald is an American gravel and mountain bike racer for Specialized Off Road Team.

Finsterwald broke through last year with a string of top placings throughout the North American off road calendar, before taking the win at the final stop of the Lifetime Grand Prix at Big Sugar Gravel. Finsterwald is the training partner and winter roommates with Keegan Swenson, last year's Lifetime GP winner, in Tucson, Arizona.

Photo by Logan Jones-Wilkins

A waxed SRAM XX1 chain to go with a 48t chainring for the rollers of the Flint Hills. Most the contenders on the men's side who ran SRAM had the same 48t 1x setup. In the past riders have pushed the gearing up to 50t, but with some steep pitches at the tail end of the race a 48t is a safer bet

For Unbound, Finsterwald had the pick of two frames from Specialized, with the Crux and the new Diverge STR both capable over the Flint Hills of Kansas. Finsterwald ended up choosing the Crux because of his overall comfort with the bike and the compliance that comes from a fully rigid frame.

“I have settled on using the crux because I have spent the most hours on it,” Finsterwald told GCN of his bike choice.

“I felt the Diverge was a good option for this course and I wanted to see if it would work, but I think being comfortable on your bike for nine and a half hours is priority number one.”

Photo by Logan Jones-Wilkins

The best a man could get, unless that man has the capacity to run the new SRAM Transmission. Yet, Finsterwald seemed to do just fine with a derailleur hanger and top of the line SRAM Eagle XX1 shiny bits.

In line with the spirit of comfort, Finsterwald was originally set to race 47mm pathfinders. When a rainstorm hit the night before the race, however, he made the switch to the 42mm pathfinders that have become so common on the Unbound podium.

Photo by Logan Jones-Wilkins

Although Finsterwald was convinced by his teammate, Matthew Beers, to run the bigger 47mm tires for the chunky rocks of the Unbound 200 course, with the rain the night before guaranteeing mud, Finsterwald sized down to the 42mm for race day

In the end, Finsterwald emerged from the mud in the front group and was only slowed by a flat following a large river crossing about 30 miles in. Fortunately, Finsterwald had his teammate in the front group and they swapped wheels so he could stay in contention. While outside assistance during the race is restricted to the checkpoints, rider to rider support is encouraged.

Photo by Logan Jones-Wilkins

With aero extensions out at Unbound for the professions, in were the tilted in hoods. Beyond the aerodynamic advantage, these tilted in hoods also provide a larger platform to support a riders wrist over the long 10 hour day in the saddle

Finsterwald finished Unbound in 6th place and is second in the Lifetime GP standings.

Bike Specification