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Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x vs Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR

Both are gravel bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.

The short answer

These two score within 1 point of each other for a typical all-round rider, so there is no single winner — the right one depends entirely on which of the differences below you care about.

Cannondale

Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x

68% for a typical rider

£3,900 at Brand website
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Specialized

Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR

67% for a typical rider

£3,999 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x is £99 cheaper — £3,900 against £3,999.
Weight
The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR is 1.0kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x sits you more upright (1.56 stack-to-reach against 1.45). The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR takes 55mm tyres against 52mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Mudguards
Only the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.

Side by side

Spec Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR
Price £3,900 £3,999
Weight 9.9 kg 8.9 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset SRAM Apex AXS / GX Eagle AXS 1x12 SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 1x13 electronic
Stack / reach 1.56 1.45
Tyre clearance 52 mm 55 mm
Lowest gear 22 in 23 in
Mudguard mounts Yes No
Comfort 84 65
Speed 20 45
Climbing 59 69
Value 6 10

Neither might be the right answer

This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.

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