Ridley Grifn RS Ultegra Di2 vs Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR
Both are close enough that people cross-shop them 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 69%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Ridley Grifn RS Ultegra Di2 is £1,250 cheaper — £7,499 against £8,749.
- Weight
- The Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR is 0.7kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Ridley Grifn RS Ultegra Di2 sits you more upright (1.50 stack-to-reach against 1.45). The Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR takes 55mm tyres against 38mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
- Climbing gear
- The Specialized Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR has the easier bottom gear (23 gear inches against 32), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.
- Mudguards
- Only the Ridley Grifn RS Ultegra Di2 takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Grifn RS Ultegra Di2 | Crux 5 S-Level - SRAM RED XPLR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £7,499 | £8,749 |
| Weight | 8.4 kg | 7.7 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 2x12 | SRAM RED AXS XPLR E1 1x13 electronic |
| Stack / reach | 1.50 | 1.45 |
| Tyre clearance | 38 mm | 55 mm |
| Lowest gear | 32 in | 23 in |
| Mudguard mounts | Yes | No |
| Comfort | 64 | 65 |
| Speed | 56 | 59 |
| Climbing | 56 | 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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