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Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 w/ RIFT vs Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR

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

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR comes out ahead (71% against 57%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Canyon

Grail CF SLX 8 w/ RIFT

57% for a typical rider

£4,949 at Brand website
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Specialized

Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR

71% for a typical rider

£5,249 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 w/ RIFT is £300 cheaper — £4,949 against £5,249.
Weight
The Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR is 0.5kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR sits you more upright (1.52 stack-to-reach against 1.44). The Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 w/ RIFT is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR takes 50mm tyres against 42mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Mudguards
Only the Specialized Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.

Side by side

Spec Grail CF SLX 8 w/ RIFT Diverge 4 Expert - SRAM Rival XPLR
Price £4,949 £5,249
Weight 9.4 kg 8.9 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13 SRAM Rival AXS XPLR E1 1x13 electronic
Stack / reach 1.44 1.52
Tyre clearance 42 mm 50 mm
Lowest gear 23 in 23 in
Mudguard mounts No Yes
Comfort 63 78
Speed 40 36
Climbing 63 69
Value 0 0

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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