Marin Headlands 3 vs Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x
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 3 comes out ahead (71% against 68%). 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 3 is £101 cheaper — £3,799 against £3,900.
- Weight
- The Marin Headlands 3 is 0.5kg 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 1.53). The Marin Headlands 3 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x takes 52mm tyres against 45mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Side by side
| Spec | Headlands 3 | Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,799 | £3,900 |
| Weight | 9.4 kg | 9.9 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 | SRAM Apex AXS / GX Eagle AXS 1x12 |
| Stack / reach | 1.53 | 1.56 |
| Tyre clearance | 45 mm | 52 mm |
| Lowest gear | 23 in | 22 in |
| Mudguard mounts | Yes | Yes |
| Comfort | 79 | 84 |
| Speed | 30 | 20 |
| Climbing | 63 | 59 |
| Value | 11 | 6 |
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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