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Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR vs Colnago G4-X Shimano GRX 820 2x

Both are gravel bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR comes out ahead (67% against 57%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Specialized

Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR

67% for a typical rider

£3,999 at Brand website
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Colnago

G4-X Shimano GRX 820 2x

57% for a typical rider

£4,101 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR is £102 cheaper — £3,999 against £4,101.
Weight
The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR is 0.6kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The Colnago G4-X Shimano GRX 820 2x sits you more upright (1.48 stack-to-reach against 1.45). The Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival 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 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR takes 55mm tyres against 42mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Shifting
Only the Specialized Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR has electronic shifting. Crisper and lower maintenance, but it needs charging and costs more to replace.

Side by side

Spec Crux 5 Comp - SRAM Rival XPLR G4-X Shimano GRX 820 2x
Price £3,999 £4,101
Weight 8.9 kg 9.5 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 1x13 electronic Shimano GRX 820 2x12 mechanical
Stack / reach 1.45 1.48
Tyre clearance 55 mm 42 mm
Lowest gear 23 in 23 in
Mudguard mounts No No
Comfort 65 70
Speed 45 34
Climbing 69 62
Value 10 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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