Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 vs Trek Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 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 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 comes out ahead (75% 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 Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 is £1 cheaper — £3,249 against £3,250.
- Weight
- The Specialized Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 is 0.6kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Trek Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 sits you more upright (1.51 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 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 has electronic shifting. Crisper and lower maintenance, but it needs charging and costs more to replace.
- Mudguards
- Only the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Crux 5 Sport - Shimano GRX 800 | Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,249 | £3,250 |
| Weight | 8.9 kg | 9.5 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano GRX RX820 1x12 mechanical | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1 1x13 electronic |
| Stack / reach | 1.45 | 1.51 |
| Tyre clearance | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Lowest gear | 24 in | 23 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | Yes |
| Comfort | 65 | 76 |
| Speed | 45 | 30 |
| Climbing | 67 | 61 |
| Value | 10 | 21 |
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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