Rose Backroad Force AXS vs Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x
Both are gravel bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.
The short answer
These two score within 1 point of each other for a typical all-round rider, so there is no single winner — the right one depends entirely on which of the differences below you care about.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Rose Backroad Force AXS is £200 cheaper — £3,700 against £3,900.
- Weight
- The Rose Backroad Force AXS is 0.8kg 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 1.47). The Rose Backroad Force AXS is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Mudguards
- Only the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Backroad Force AXS | Topstone Carbon 2 AXS 1x |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,700 | £3,900 |
| Weight | 9.1 kg | 9.9 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13 electronic | SRAM Apex AXS / GX Eagle AXS 1x12 |
| Stack / reach | 1.47 | 1.56 |
| Tyre clearance | 53 mm | 52 mm |
| Lowest gear | 23 in | 22 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | Yes |
| Comfort | 68 | 84 |
| Speed | 40 | 20 |
| Climbing | 67 | 59 |
| Value | 14 | 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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