Specialized s-works stumpjumper 15

Weight 9.70kg (56cm) Frame Carbon fibre Fork 3T Fango Extrema Integrale, carbon fibre Groupset SRAM Rival eTap AXS/GX Eagle AXS Transmission (10-52t) Brakes SRAM Rival eTap AXS Wheels Zipp 303 S Tyres

Weight 9.75kg (58cm) Frame Specialized E5 Premium Aluminium with D’Aluisio Smartweld Technology Fork S-Works FACT Carbon Groupset SRAM Apex XPLR, 12-speed Wheels DT Swiss G540 Tyres Specialized Pathfi

It seems that bike design progresses in leaps and bounds every year, helping unlock new levels of potential out on the trails. Whether that’s through geometry and suspension tweaks or entire redesigns

Weight 8.3kg (58cm with SmartSense, 2x bottle cages, StashPort storage bags) Frame and fork LAB71 Hi-Mod carbon fibre Groupset SRAM Red XPLR AXS with power meter (44t, 10-46t) Wheels Reserve 42|49 TA

The SuperX name has heritage within the Cannondale brand. It first appeared in 2010 attached to a dedicated cyclocross bike, but in 2021 the original SuperX was replaced by the SuperSix Evo SE and CX.

With gravel bikes becoming ever more tech-laden and reaching astronomical five-figure prices, could it be that the sport is getting too exclusive? We looked towards the other end of the scale to see i