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LOOK G85 Cezal GRX 1x12 Mech / Fulcrum Lite GR vs Rose Backroad Force AXS

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

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Rose Backroad Force AXS comes out ahead (67% against 64%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

LOOK

G85 Cezal GRX 1x12 Mech / Fulcrum Lite GR

64% for a typical rider

£3,499 at Brand website
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Rose

Backroad Force AXS

67% for a typical rider

£3,700 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The LOOK G85 Cezal GRX 1x12 Mech / Fulcrum Lite GR is £201 cheaper — £3,499 against £3,700.
Weight
The Rose Backroad Force AXS is 0.4kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The LOOK G85 Cezal GRX 1x12 Mech / Fulcrum Lite GR sits you more upright (1.57 stack-to-reach against 1.47). The Rose Backroad Force AXS is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Rose Backroad Force AXS takes 53mm tyres against 50mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Shifting
Only the Rose Backroad Force AXS has electronic shifting. Crisper and lower maintenance, but it needs charging and costs more to replace.

Side by side

Spec G85 Cezal GRX 1x12 Mech / Fulcrum Lite GR Backroad Force AXS
Price £3,499 £3,700
Weight 9.5 kg 9.1 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset Shimano GRX RX820 1x12 mechanical SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13 electronic
Stack / reach 1.57 1.47
Tyre clearance 50 mm 53 mm
Lowest gear 24 in 23 in
Mudguard mounts No No
Comfort 87 68
Speed 23 40
Climbing 60 67
Value 2 14

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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