Marin Headlands 2 vs Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2
Both are gravel bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.
The short answer
For a typical all-round rider the Marin Headlands 2 comes out ahead (67% against 64%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Marin Headlands 2 is £100 cheaper — £2,899 against £2,999.
- Weight
- The Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2 is 1.0kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Marin Headlands 2 sits you more upright (1.53 stack-to-reach against 1.49). The Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Climbing gear
- The Marin Headlands 2 has the easier bottom gear (22 gear inches against 25), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.
- Mudguards
- Only the Marin Headlands 2 takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Headlands 2 | TCX Advanced Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,899 | £2,999 |
| Weight | 10.2 kg | 9.2 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX RX820 1x12 mechanical | SRAM Apex 1x12 mechanical |
| Stack / reach | 1.53 | 1.49 |
| Tyre clearance | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Lowest gear | 22 in | 25 in |
| Mudguard mounts | Yes | No |
| Comfort | 79 | 65 |
| Speed | 20 | 47 |
| Climbing | 55 | 63 |
| Value | 8 | 13 |
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.
Find my bike