Rose Backroad Force AXS vs Marin Headlands 3
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 67%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Rose Backroad Force AXS is £99 cheaper — £3,700 against £3,799.
- Weight
- The Rose Backroad Force AXS is 0.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Marin Headlands 3 sits you more upright (1.53 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 45mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
- Mudguards
- Only the Marin Headlands 3 takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Backroad Force AXS | Headlands 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,700 | £3,799 |
| Weight | 9.1 kg | 9.4 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13 electronic | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 |
| Stack / reach | 1.47 | 1.53 |
| Tyre clearance | 53 mm | 45 mm |
| Lowest gear | 23 in | 23 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | Yes |
| Comfort | 68 | 79 |
| Speed | 40 | 30 |
| Climbing | 67 | 63 |
| Value | 14 | 11 |
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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