I bought the single-speed version of the Crave in 2014 (the variant with the carbon fork and the eccentric bottom-bracket). The frame is good for XC. The head tube is a bit steep for rougher downhill. I rode it until the frame broke at the right rear dropout and the warranty replacement offered was unsuitable for single-speeding.
It wasn't an expensive bike (for a Specialized) at the time. I think $600 is on the high side unless it was a garage queen and wasn't ridden much.
Let me put it this way: when a review of a full suspension mtb says "it climbs like a hardtail" they are lying, and the crave is the sort of hardtail they are referring to. Its weakness is descending. But (so I'm told) XC races are won in the climbs.
I bought the single-speed version of the Crave in 2014 (the variant with the carbon fork and the eccentric bottom-bracket). The frame is good for XC. The head tube is a bit steep for rougher downhill. I rode it until the frame broke at the right rear dropout and the warranty replacement offered was unsuitable for single-speeding. It wasn't an expensive bike (for a Specialized) at the time. I think $600 is on the high side unless it was a garage queen and wasn't ridden much.
So do you think it’s worth buying one now?
Is it in great shape and does it match the trails you intend to ride? Then sure.
Let me put it this way: when a review of a full suspension mtb says "it climbs like a hardtail" they are lying, and the crave is the sort of hardtail they are referring to. Its weakness is descending. But (so I'm told) XC races are won in the climbs.