Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 vs Canyon Grizl CF 8 w/ RIFT
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 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 comes out ahead (67% against 65%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 is £100 cheaper — £3,249 against £3,349.
- Weight
- The Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 is 1.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Canyon Grizl CF 8 w/ RIFT sits you more upright (1.48 stack-to-reach against 1.45). The Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 takes 55mm tyres against 50mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
- Shifting
- Only the Canyon Grizl CF 8 w/ RIFT has electronic shifting. Crisper and lower maintenance, but it needs charging and costs more to replace.
Side by side
| Spec | Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 | Grizl CF 8 w/ RIFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,249 | £3,349 |
| Weight | 8.9 kg | 10.2 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX RX820 1x12 mechanical | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 |
| Stack / reach | 1.45 | 1.48 |
| Tyre clearance | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Lowest gear | 24 in | 23 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | No |
| Comfort | 65 | 70 |
| Speed | 45 | 26 |
| Climbing | 67 | 52 |
| Value | 10 | 14 |
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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