Cosmic Crux 29 - Review

The Cosmic Crux has a full alloy 661 hardtail frame. During the test ride the frame felt strong and was evident that it can handle the bumps off flat trails and hard urban roads. The chunky bottom tube does contribute a lot towards the frame's heaviness but that weight is needed to withstand the vibrations when riding on rough surfaces. The slanting top tube gives a little bit of extra stand over clearance which helps on minor drops on trails and curbs on urban roads. The frame geometry was the perfect balance between aggressiveness and comfort.Cosmic's stock suspension fork had a working travel of 65mm which was sufficient to handle the bumps. This is a steel suspension work and hence wasn’t the smoothest in action.

This is an entry-level hardtail MTB and the drivetrain came with entry-level derailleurs as well. The Shimano Tourney at the front and Altus at the rear were smooth in transmission during the test ride. There was some lag in the front derailleur when shifting up. The 21-Speed EF5 shifters were basic and easy to use.

At first look I was surprised and the design did impress me. The Crux 29 which I test rode came in a blue frame colour with black and lime yellow graphics. The gloss paint job was neatly done and of good quality. The graphics were simple and wasn’t the most appealing. The chunky tubes along with heavily treaded 29” tires definitely made this MTB look rugged and strong.

A pair of mechanical disc brakes handles the Crux 29's stopping power. These brakes are perfect for flat trails and felt safe and balanced when cornering. These brakes are more than sufficient for city riding in traffic. The brake levers were at a good reach and responsive.The Cosmic stock handlebar was wide enough to give control over the bicycle and the minimal raise made sure the rider also gets on to a comfortable riding posture.

As in the name of this bicycle, the Crux rolls on a pair of 29” x 2.1” MTB tires. The CST Jack Rabbit branded tires were heavily treaded with thick blocks of to give maximum traction on flat trails. The treads on the sides of the tires keep the bicycle safe and balanced on fast corners. The Cosmic stock saddle wasn’t the most ergonomic in shape but had enough cushioning to keep the rider comfortable even when riding on bumpy trails.