Cervélo Áspero-5 Force AXS 1 vs Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED 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 Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR comes out ahead (71% against 66%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Cervélo

Áspero-5 Force AXS 1

66% for a typical rider

£7,500 at Brand website

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Specialized

Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR

71% for a typical rider

£8,749 at Brand website

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What actually separates them

Price: The Cervélo Áspero-5 Force AXS 1 is £1,249 cheaper — £7,500 against £8,749.
Tyre clearance: The Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR takes 55mm tyres against 45mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.

Side by side

Spec	Áspero-5 Force AXS 1	Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR
Price	£7,500	£8,749
Weight	7.9 kg	7.7 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	SRAM Force 1 AXS with X0 Eagle Transmission 1x12 electronic	SRAM RED AXS XPLR E1 1x13 electronic
Stack / reach	1.46	1.45
Tyre clearance	45 mm	55 mm
Lowest gear	25 in	23 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	66	65
Speed	56	59
Climbing	79	85
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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