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Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS vs Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS, side view

Merida

Mission Force Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS, side view

Specialized

Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Top of the rangeRaceCarbon700c2027
High endCarbon700c2026

Close on the specs and the list price: here are their 18 differences, line by line.

Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS, side viewMeridaMerida Mission Force Xplr AXS
List price £5,000
Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

At a glance

  • Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS has the higher-range groupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS, against SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1.
  • Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS has the shorter lowest gear: 10 km/h at 90 rpm, against 11 km/h.
  • Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS is the newer model (2027).
Key specs5 differences
List price £5,000 –Not given
Model year 2027 2026
FrameSame for all Carbon
As printed

cadre MISSION CF4 II, material: carbon

 Carbon
As printed

Crux FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™

Fork model MERIDA MISSION CF4 II –Not given
Wheelset 700c · Zipp 303 XPLR S
As printed

roues Zipp 303 XPLR S

 700c · Roval Terra C, 25mm inner width carbon rim, 32mm depth
As printed

Roval Terra C, 25mm inner width carbon rim, 32mm depth, DT 370 hub

DrivetrainSame for all 1×13 1×13
Groupset SRAM Force XPLR AXS Higher range
As printed

derailleur (ar) Sram Force XPLR AXS; manettes Sram Force

 SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1 HRD / NEW SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1

Brake model SRAM Force XPLR 2 piston hydraulic Higher range
As printed

freins Sram Force XPLR, 2 piston, hydraulic

 SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor

Seatpost Rigid · MERIDA TEAM SL II °Value not published by the brand Rigid · Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset °Value not published by the brand
Weight–Not given 8.1 kg

Prices

Each model's retailers, delivered to your country, and their prices over time.

Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS

Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Character

The bike at a glance: the ground it is made for, how it handles, its gears and its equipment, beside the other bikes of its kind.

  • Mission Force Xplr AXS · Gravel bike rather for smooth ground, average gearing, very high equipment.
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · Gravel bike made for very smooth ground, rather nimble, average gearing, rather high equipment.
Terrain
Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS 25%Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS 11%1 bike · Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS5 bikes · Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS1 bike3 bikes
EasyDemanding

Gearing

Speed in the lowest and the highest gear at 90 rpm: lower on the left climbs easier, higher on the right goes faster.

  • Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS11 km/h - 52 km/h
  • Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS10 km/h - 48 km/h
Easiest gear (climbing)Hardest gear (descending)

Equipment level

0255075100£3,000£4,000£5,000£6,000£7,000List priceEquipment score
  • BH Gravelx Evo 2.5 R GRX
  • BH Gravelx Evo 3.5 R GRX Hydra
  • BH Gravelx Evo 4.5 R Apex AXS
  • BH Gravelx Evo 5.5 R GRX 820
  • Merida Mission 10k Xplr AXS
  • Merida Mission Grx400
  • Merida Mission Grx825 Di2
  • Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS
  • Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS
  • Mission Force Xplr AXSEquipment level 86/100 · Top of the range
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXSEquipment level 79/100 · High end
Merida Mission Force Xplr AXSSpecialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXSother race gravel bikes

Components and specs

Every spec line by line; the higher range of a component is marked. The technical groups are folded.

Ride type
Ride type Race
As printed

GRAVEL RACE; "gravel de compétition"

–Not given
SuspensionSame for all Rigid °Value not published by the brand Rigid °Value not published by the brand
Frame and fork2 differences
ForkSame for all Carbon
As printed

fourche MERIDA MISSION CF4 II, Tapered, material: carbon

 Carbon
As printed

S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle

Max tyre clearance 40 mm 47 mm Best of the comparison+7 mm
AxlesSame for all Thru-axles
As printed

100x12/142x12mm axle standard

 Thru-axles
As printed

12x142mm thru-axle

Bottom bracket BSA
As printed

BSA bottom bracket standard

 SRAM DUB BSA
Seatpost diameter 27.2 mm –Not given
Drivetrain5 differences
Groupset brandSame for all SRAM
As printed

derailleur (ar) Sram Force XPLR AXS

 SRAM
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1

Shifting Electronic, wired
As printed

derailleur (ar) Sram Force XPLR AXS, electronic

 Electronic, wireless
ChainringsSame for all 1 1
Gears at the backSame for all 13 13
Chainring teeth SRAM Force XPLR AXS Power Meter 44T Higher range
As printed

taille manivelle Sram Force XPLR AXS Power Meter, 44 teeth, MAT Carbon

 SRAM Rival XPLR E1, 40T
Cassette SRAM Force XPLR XG-1371 10-46 Higher range
As printed

cassette Sram Force XPLR XG-1371, 10-46 teeth

 SRAM Rival XPLR XG-1351, 13sp, 10-46t
Rear derailleur Sram Force XPLR AXS Higher range NEW SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1 °Value not published by the brand
Shifters Sram Force Higher range NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1 HRD °Value not published by the brand
Power meter fitted yes –Not given
Brakes
BrakesSame for all Hydraulic disc Hydraulic disc
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor

Front rotorSame for all 160 mm 160 mm
Rear rotorSame for all 160 mm 160 mm
Wheels and tyres3 differences
Wheel sizeSame for all 700c / 29" 700c / 29"
As printed

Pathfinder 700x40

RimsSame for all Carbon
As printed

roues Zipp 303 XPLR S, material: carbon

 Carbon
As printed

25mm inner width carbon rim

Rim depth 54 mm 32 mm −22 mm
Rim inner width 32 mm 25 mm −7 mm
Tubeless readySame for all yes yes
Tyres Goodyear XPLR Slick 40-622 TLR
As printed

pneus Goodyear XPLR Slick designed for Zipp 40mm, 40-622, TLR

 Pathfinder 700x40, Tubeless Ready
Tyre width fittedSame for all 40 mm 40 mm
Cockpit and seatpost3 differences
Handlebar MERIDA TEAM SL 1P GR °Value not published by the brand Specialized Adventure Gear, 118.9mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flare °Value not published by the brand
Stem MERIDA TEAM ONE-PIECE GR °Value not published by the brand Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt °Value not published by the brand
Seatpost model MERIDA TEAM SL II Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset °Value not published by the brand
Weight
Weighed in size–Not given 56
As printed

Poids Taille 56

Mounts and storage
In-frame storage yes –Not given

° Value not published by the brand

Geometry

A size per bike (the nearest to the first one's at first), the differences measured from the reference bike.

Mission Force Xplr AXS · MCrux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 54CM
  • Mission Force Xplr AXS · M
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 54CM

Stack and reach

530540550560570580590600350360370380390400410420↖ UprightAggressive ↘Reach (mm)Stack (mm)Mission Force Xplr AXS · M — Reach (mm) 391 · Stack (mm) 569Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 54CM — Reach (mm) 388 · Stack (mm) 560
  • Mission Force Xplr AXS · M Mission Force Xplr AXS · M — Reach (mm) 391 · Stack (mm) 569
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 54CM Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 54CM — Reach (mm) 388 · Stack (mm) 560
Geometry12 differences
Size M 54CM
Reach 391 mm 388 mm −3 mm
Stack 569 mm 560 mm −9 mm
Top tube (effective) 560 mm 549 mm −11 mm
Seat tube 510 mm 521 mm +11 mm
Head tube 137 mm 130 mm −7 mm
Head angle 72° 71.5° −0.5°
Seat angle 73.5° 74° +0.5°
Chainstays 419 mm 425 mm +6 mm
Wheelbase 1,013 mm 1,023 mm +10 mm
Standover 798 mm 794 mm −4 mm
BB dropSame for all 72 mm 72 mm
Fork offset 45 mm 50 mm +5 mm
Front centre–Not given 608 mm
BB height–Not given 286 mm
Trail–Not given 67 mm
Stem–Not given 90 mm
Handlebar width–Not given 420 mm
Crank length–Not given 173 mm

Where to buy them

Compare the whole Merida Mission range

Frequently asked questions

What groupset do Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS and Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS come with?

Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS: SRAM Force XPLR AXS. Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1.

How do Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS and Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS compare on geometry?

In size M, Merida Mission Force Xplr AXS has a stack of 569 mm for a reach of 391 mm; in size 54CM, Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS has 560 mm for 388 mm. More stack for the reach means a more upright position.

Other comparisons

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