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Home > News > Crux 5, 20th Unbound Gravel, and 32” Scott Prototypes: The Future of Gravel Riding

Jun.2026 01

Crux 5, 20th Unbound Gravel, and 32” Scott Prototypes: The Future of Gravel Riding

Introduction

This year marks the 20th edition of Unbound Gravel, the world's premier gravel race. From its humble start in 2006 with just 34 participants, Unbound now attracts nearly 5,000 riders—from amateur enthusiasts to elite professionals—competing self-supported across Kansas' undulating terrain, with race distances ranging from 25 to 350 miles.

Details

The 2026 edition was particularly grueling: persistent rain turned much of the course into a challenging mix of mud and water. The high DNF (Did Not Finish) rate underscores not only the riders’ perseverance but also the critical role of equipment in modern gravel racing.

Crux 5: Modern Gravel Racing for the Fastest Riders

Before the race, the launch of the Specialized Crux 5 drew attention, alongside the debut of the 32” Scott prototype gravel bikes. With cyclocross participation declining and gravel racing on the rise, the Crux 5 marks a strategic shift—moving from a versatile cyclocross platform to a purpose-built gravel racing machine.

Image credit: Specialized

Key Changes of Crux 5
(1) Tires up to 55mm (2.2”) for traction and comfort
(2) Aero tube profiles inspired by the Tarmac SL8
(3) Fully integrated internal cable routing
(4) 1x chainring compatible (52T max)
(5) Aero components including seatpost and integrated cockpit
(6) Lightweight design, complete builds starting at 7.7kg
(7) Subtle geometry changes for confidence-inspiring handling

The Crux 5 pairs with Terra Aero CLX wheels, which claim up to 4.84 watts faster performance over the previous generation.

Terra Aero CLX Factsheet

Position	Front	Rear
Inner Width	27mm	27mm
Outer Width (widest point)	38.5mm	38.4mm
Bead Hook Width	5.38mm	5.38mm
Bead Type	Hooked	Hooked
Rim Depth	50mm	45mm
Hole Count	18H	24H
Rim Profile	Chopped aero speed shaping	Regular U-shaped
Tire Range	35~60mm (2.2”)	35~60mm (2.2”)

32-Inch Gravel: Intriguing but Not Yet Decisive

The 32-inch gravel wheel is gaining attention for its roll-over capability, but adoption remains mixed. In the 2026 Unbound, Cam Jones (2025 Unbound 200 winner) and Robin Gemperle (2025 Tour Divide winner) tested the 32” Scott prototypes in the 200- and 350-mile races. Robin crossed first, Cam finished 10th.

While results were respectable, neither finish-line interviews nor performance data indicated a decisive advantage over 700c setups. The 32” remains an emerging trend, needing broader real-world testing to close the gap between industry optimism and rider adoption.

Image credit: Scott Sports

NTP Gravel Rims and Wheels: Engineered for Performance

At NTP, we’ve been tracking these gravel trends closely—wider tire platforms, expanded rim bead designs, and enhanced comfort and durability—and have applied them to our new open-mold gravel aero rim, G30-50.

G30-50 Highlights

(1) 30mm inner width: optimized for 50–65mm tires, maximizing traction and confidence on chaotic terrain
(2) 50mm rim depth: provides aerodynamic gains while controlling weight
(3) Special fiber placement: efficiently dissipates vibration for comfort
(4) Flattened inner rim circumference: allows customizable offset hole drilling, improving spoke tension balance and wheel system reliability

We also offer 28mm inner width options for narrower tires (40–45mm), ideal for mixed asphalt and gravel rides.

NTP Gravel Lineup

Model	G30-50	G30-45	G28-45
Inner Width	30mm	30mm	28mm
Bead Type	Hooked	Hookless	Hookless
Outer Width (widest point)	40mm	35.7mm	35.7mm
Rim Depth	50mm	45mm	45mm
Offset	0mm (Symmetric) *offset hole drilling	2mm	2mm
Rim Weight	460g (Standard) 420g (SL)	410g (Standard)	400g (Standard)

Open-Mold Customization for Your Brand

Our open-mold platform allows brands to tailor rims from the inside out, creating a competitive edge:

(1) Layup design (lighter or stronger versions)
(2) Hole solutions (drilled or molded, custom angles/patterns)
(3) Inner rim widths, rim bed shapes, and hook designs
(5) Rim weaves (UD, 3K, 12K, 18K, or other patterns)
(6) Rim finishes (painted or paint-free)
(7) Decaling (waterslide decals, laser marks, stickers)

We offer additional bespoke options—if you can imagine it, we can produce it!

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About Us: Our Story; Our Team

What We Offer: OEM vs ODM Service; Open Mold Products; R&D and Technology; Quality Control

Get In Touch: Floor 3, No 19 Baihuyan Road, Xiamen, Fujian 36102, China

Email: koko@ntpcomposites.com
Drop a call: 0086 137 9925 1201
What's app: 0086 156 5978 9571

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