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Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr vs Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr, side view

Specialized

Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS, side view

Specialized

Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

Mid-rangeAluminium700c2026
High endCarbon700c2026

Two builds of the Specialized Crux line: 17 differences, mostly in the components.

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr
Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS

At a glance

  • Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS is 1.34 kg lighter than Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr (brand figures).
  • Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS has the higher-range groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1, against SRAM Apex XPLR.
Key specs7 differences
Model yearSame for all 2026 2026
Weight 9.44 kg 8.1 kg Best of the comparison−1.34 kg
Frame Aluminium
As printed

Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum Disc frame

 Carbon
As printed

Crux FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™

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

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

 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

Drivetrain 1×12 1×13
Groupset SRAM Apex XPLR
As printed

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

 SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1 Higher range
As printed

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

Brake model SRAM Apex, Hydraulic Disc SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc Higher range
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor

Seatpost Rigid · Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware °Value not published by the brand Rigid · Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset °Value not published by the brand

Prices

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

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr

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.

  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · Gravel bike made for very smooth ground, rather nimble, short gearing, average equipment.
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · Gravel bike made for very smooth ground, rather nimble, average gearing, rather high equipment.
Terrain
Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr 11%Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS 11%1 bike8 bikes · Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS1 bike3 bikes3 bikes1 bike2 bikes4 bikes1 bike4 bikes2 bikes3 bikes4 bikes
EasyDemanding
Handling
Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr 25%Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS 25%5 bikes1 bike1 bike3 bikes · Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS1 bike1 bike2 bikes1 bike2 bikes1 bike2 bikes4 bikes1 bike3 bikes3 bikes1 bike
NimbleStable

Gearing

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

  • Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr11 km/h - 43 km/h
  • Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS10 km/h - 48 km/h
Easiest gear (climbing)Hardest gear (descending)
Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex XplrSpecialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXSother 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
SuspensionSame for all Rigid °Value not published by the brand Rigid °Value not published by the brand
Frame and fork1 difference
ForkSame for all Carbon
As printed

S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle

 Carbon
As printed

S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle

Max tyre clearanceSame for all 47 mm 47 mm
Axles–Not given Thru-axles
As printed

12x142mm thru-axle

Bottom bracket SRAM DUB BSA 68 Wide SRAM DUB BSA
Drivetrain6 differences
Groupset brandSame for all SRAM
As printed

SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed

 SRAM
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1

Shifting Mechanical
As printed

SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed

 Electronic, wireless
ChainringsSame for all 1 1
Gears at the back 12 13 Best of the comparison+1
Chainring teeth SRAM Apex DUB Wide, 40t SRAM Rival XPLR E1, 40T Higher range
Cassette SRAM APEX XPLR, 12sp, 11-44T SRAM Rival XPLR XG-1351, 13sp, 10-46t Higher range
Rear derailleur SRAM Apex XPLR, mechanical, 12-speed °Value not published by the brand NEW SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1 °Value not published by the brandHigher range
Shifters SRAM Apex °Value not published by the brand NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1 HRD °Value not published by the brandHigher range
Brakes
BrakesSame for all Hydraulic disc
As printed

SRAM Apex, Hydraulic Disc

 Hydraulic disc
As printed

NEW SRAM Rival AXS E1, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor

Front rotor–Not given 160 mm
Rear rotor–Not given 160 mm
Wheels and tyres2 differences
Wheel sizeSame for all 700c / 29"
As printed

Pathfinder 700x40

 700c / 29"
As printed

Pathfinder 700x40

Rims Aluminium °Value not published by the brand Carbon
As printed

25mm inner width carbon rim

Rim depth–Not given 32 mm
Rim inner width 24 mm 25 mm +1 mm
Tubeless readySame for all yes yes
TyresSame for all Pathfinder 700x40, Tubeless Ready Pathfinder 700x40, Tubeless Ready
Tyre width fittedSame for all 40 mm 40 mm
Cockpit and seatpost2 differences
HandlebarSame for all Specialized Adventure Gear, 118.9mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flare °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 Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise °Value not published by the brand Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt °Value not published by the brand
Seatpost model Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware °Value not published by the brand Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset °Value not published by the brand
Weight
Weighed in sizeSame for all 56
As printed

Poids Taille 56

 56
As printed

Poids Taille 56

° 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.

Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 49CMCrux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 49CM
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 49CM
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 49CM

Stack and reach

500510520530540550560340350360370380390400410↖ UprightAggressive ↘Reach (mm)Stack (mm)Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 49CM — Reach (mm) 375 · Stack (mm) 530Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 49CM — Reach (mm) 375 · Stack (mm) 530
  • Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 49CM Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr · 49CM — Reach (mm) 375 · Stack (mm) 530
  • Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 49CM Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS · 49CM — Reach (mm) 375 · Stack (mm) 530
Geometry
SizeSame for all 49CM 49CM
ReachSame for all 375 mm 375 mm
StackSame for all 530 mm 530 mm
Top tube (effective)Same for all 512 mm 512 mm
Seat tubeSame for all 466 mm 466 mm
Head tubeSame for all 100 mm 100 mm
Head angleSame for all 70.5° 70.5°
Seat angleSame for all 75.5° 75.5°
ChainstaysSame for all 425 mm 425 mm
WheelbaseSame for all 1,008 mm 1,008 mm
Front centreSame for all 594 mm 594 mm
StandoverSame for all 749 mm 749 mm
BB dropSame for all 74 mm 74 mm
BB heightSame for all 284 mm 284 mm
Fork offsetSame for all 50 mm 50 mm
TrailSame for all 74 mm 74 mm
StemSame for all 70 mm 70 mm
Handlebar widthSame for all 380 mm 380 mm
Crank lengthSame for all 165 mm 165 mm

Where to buy them

Frequently asked questions

Which is lighter, Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr or Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS?

Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS weighs 8.1 kg, Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr 9.44 kg, as their brands give them.

What groupset do Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr and Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS come with?

Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr: SRAM Apex XPLR. Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1.

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

In size 49CM, Specialized Crux Dsw Comp Apex Xplr has a stack of 530 mm for a reach of 375 mm; in size 49CM, Specialized Crux Expert Rival Xplr AXS has 530 mm for 375 mm. More stack for the reach means a more upright position.

Other comparisons

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