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Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS vs Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS, side view

Merida

Mission Rival Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr, side view

Specialized

Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

High endRaceCarbon700c2027
Mid-rangeAluminium700c2026

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

Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS, side viewMeridaMerida Mission Rival Xplr AXS
List price £3,400
Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

At a glance

  • Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS has the higher-range groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS, against SRAM Apex XPLR.
  • Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS is the newer model (2027).
Key specs7 differences
List price £3,400 –Not given
Model year 2027 2026
Frame Carbon
As printed

cadre MISSION CF4 II, material: carbon

 Aluminium
As printed

Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum Disc frame

Fork model MERIDA MISSION CF4 II –Not given
Wheelset 700c · DT Swiss G 1800 spline CL
As printed

roues DT Swiss G 1800 spline, CL

 700c · DT Swiss G540, 24mm internal width
As printed

DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h

Drivetrain 1×13 1×12
Groupset SRAM Rival XPLR AXS Higher range
As printed

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

 SRAM Apex XPLR
As printed

SRAM Apex / SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed

Brake model SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 2 piston hydraulic Higher range
As printed

freins Sram Rival AXS XPLR, 2 piston, hydraulic

 SRAM Apex, Hydraulic Disc
Seatpost Rigid · MERIDA EXPERT SL °Value not published by the brand Rigid · Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware °Value not published by the brand
Weight–Not given 9.44 kg

Prices

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

Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS

Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

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 Rival Xplr AXS · Gravel bike rather for smooth ground, average gearing, rather high equipment, equipment for the price better than 88% of other race gravel bikes.
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · Gravel bike made for very smooth ground, rather nimble, short gearing, average equipment.
Terrain
Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS 25%Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr 11%1 bike · Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr5 bikes · Merida Mission Rival 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 Rival Xplr AXS11 km/h - 50 km/h
  • Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr11 km/h - 43 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 Force Xplr AXS
  • Merida Mission Grx400
  • Merida Mission Grx825 Di2
  • Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS
  • Mission Rival Xplr AXSEquipment level 73/100 · High end
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex XplrEquipment level 42/100 · Mid-range
Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXSSpecialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplrother 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
Axles Thru-axles
As printed

100x12/142x12mm axle standard

–Not given
Bottom bracket BSA
As printed

BSA bottom bracket standard

 SRAM DUB BSA 68 Wide
Seatpost diameter 27.2 mm –Not given
Drivetrain6 differences
Groupset brandSame for all SRAM
As printed

derailleur (ar) Sram Rival XPLR AXS

 SRAM
As printed

SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed

Shifting Electronic, wired
As printed

derailleur (ar) Sram Rival XPLR AXS, electronic

 Mechanical
As printed

SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed

ChainringsSame for all 1 1
Gears at the back 13 Best of the comparison 12 −1
Chainring teeth SRAM Rival XPLR 42T Higher range
As printed

taille manivelle Sram Rival XPLR, 42 teeth, MAT Aluminium

 SRAM Apex DUB Wide, 40t
Cassette SRAM Rival XPLR 10-46 Higher range
As printed

cassette Sram Rival XPLR, 10-46 teeth

 SRAM APEX XPLR, 12sp, 11-44T
Rear derailleur Sram Rival XPLR AXS Higher range SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed °Value not published by the brand
Shifters Sram Rival AXS Higher range SRAM Apex °Value not published by the brand
Brakes
BrakesSame for all Hydraulic disc Hydraulic disc
As printed

SRAM Apex, Hydraulic Disc

Front rotor 160 mm –Not given
Rear rotor 160 mm –Not given
Wheels and tyres1 difference
Wheel sizeSame for all 700c / 29" 700c / 29"
As printed

Pathfinder 700x40

RimsSame for all Aluminium
As printed

roues DT Swiss G 1800 spline, material: aluminium

 Aluminium °Value not published by the brand
Rim depth 25 mm –Not given
Rim inner widthSame for all 24 mm 24 mm
Tubeless readySame for all yes yes
Tyres Continental Terra Speed ProTection 40-622 TLR
As printed

pneus Continental Terra Speed ProTection 40mm, 40-622, TLR

 Pathfinder 700x40, Tubeless Ready
Tyre width fittedSame for all 40 mm 40 mm
Cockpit and seatpost3 differences
Handlebar MERIDA EXPERT GR II °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 CC III °Value not published by the brand Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise °Value not published by the brand
Seatpost model MERIDA EXPERT SL Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware °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 Rival Xplr AXS · MCrux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 54CM
  • Mission Rival Xplr AXS · M
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 54CM

Stack and reach

530540550560570580590600350360370380390400410420↖ UprightAggressive ↘Reach (mm)Stack (mm)Mission Rival Xplr AXS · M — Reach (mm) 391 · Stack (mm) 569Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 54CM — Reach (mm) 388 · Stack (mm) 560
  • Mission Rival Xplr AXS · M Mission Rival Xplr AXS · M — Reach (mm) 391 · Stack (mm) 569
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 54CM Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 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 Rival Xplr AXS and Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr come with?

Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS. Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr: SRAM Apex XPLR.

How do Merida Mission Rival Xplr AXS and Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr compare on geometry?

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

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