This is the brand new Canyon Grail CFR, an update on the original launched in 2018, the German company’s first gravel bike. This one has been made much more aero and racier but has some nice versatility built into it. I’ve been riding it for several weeks to find out what it’s like.
Blythe Grail here https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/gravel-bikes/performance/grail-generation-2/#section-product-grid
Be sure to check out Matt Page’s GritFest event, it’s highly recommend https://gritfest.co.uk
Content
00:00 Intro
00:26 More aero handlebar
1:26 Frame design
2:13 Comfort seatpost
2:27 Tyre clearance
3:13 Tyre size gripe
3:21 Frame storage
6:12 Prices and equipment
7:56 Ride impressions in Wales
11:45 What’s the new handlebar like?
12:23 Fit and geometry
12:55 Is it comfortable?
14:05 Likes and dislikes
15:46 N+1 Killer?
16:19 Summary
Supported by Saddleback
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47 Comments
The real n+1 killer for me
Tnx a mlllion for this review. I would really like you to test a 45mm tire and see if any brand would fit. Keep up the good work.
Does the new drop bar fits the 1st gen Grail?
I was expecting 3 layer handlebar. 😐
You mentioned the tyre clearance is 42mm, but the website says the frame has clearance for 50mm tyres. Is that a typo?
I really like those handle bars. The downward sweep or really good for the wrists and the backward sweep pulls the elbows in closer to the body. Well thought through.
Really liked the clean and probably aero frame bag integration. Great colour scheme.
This or the crux? I know you're a fan of the crux
"race" but not aero enough still.
Great review David! I am glad to see prices are coming down. Love your new office space, it's a fixer-upper. Regards from Arizona where we have hardly any rain.
I’m glad you covered that at the end, I’m looking to also have one bike fits all, looking for a new winter bike and also can do gravel, is this possible with those tyres? Or are there road tyres out there that will fit those wheels?
Great bike! The storage solutions are the best I've seen and the go-fast bits are definitely done well. The limited tyre clearance will be this bike's issue. If you want a real quiver killer, the 3T Exploro with its more than generous clearance will be a better solution, albeit a more expensive one.
Anyone know what mudguards he had on the bike in the few shots that showed them installed?
Is it better than your Crux?
hmm just a gravelbike like every openmold out there
Could you add fork brackets and cage bags for bikepacking / touring? Wondering if the seat post is less good than the leaf spring Grail version for removing bumps?
The specs of the bars are kinda like those of the zipp xplr bars which have a 3* back sweep, 5* flare, and 11* out sweep, though the zipp versions are only alloy.
Do you think the based model with grx 1by is good value?
Thanks 🙏, how does it compare to the giant revolt, when it comes to riding quality ? Cheers, Phil
Think you’re right about the bar accessory mounts- not sure they’ll stand up to any knocks or offs common on gravel rides. Also those tyres are great for racing but the side wall can split easily as happened to me at the gravel worlds last week😢
Another 9 Watts saved. Gosh. The next version will probably ride itself
The inability to change handlebar width and stem length, coupled with just 42mm tyre clearance, makes this a bad choice for most non-racers
The cheaper versions only have one by drive-train. I want a two by on a bike.
Nice Specialized bottle 😉
Thx you David! Another excellent review. Been waiting to upgrade my ride for what feels like a lifetime. Have it down to the S Works Crux and the new Grail. I'm in Los Angeles and about 10 miles from dirt so need a ride that can do it all (you got to be sharp/quick not to get tagged by L.A. drivers). Do you have an initial opinion on compliance btw Crux/Grail? I love the new upgrades on the Grail but do I need to be concerned about grail's stiffer feel? My goal is half/full centuries gravel races and just taking advantage of the amazing gravel around me for some long days in the saddle. Have eyes on new wheel set that would drop appx 400g in weight and bring Grail bit closer toward Crux weight/my wish-list weight. I'm a bit older so realistically this purchase would be my one and done splurge. As always grateful for what you do.
Sorry not sorry, just bought a Checkpoint AXS…
FEZZARI VEYO please
Can you compare it to the Crux?
Hey David! How does it compare to Matt’s 3T?! Both seem like super fast bikes with an emphases on exploring. How’s the ride compare? #1 and 2 on my short list.
Uff… not the bike, those roads make me jealous
Pass. Canyon value is gone. Too expensive.
UDH by any chance?
It's a weird decision to make handlebars wide (for bikepacking) and add mudguards option (for commuting), but still decide against fork mounts and 45mm tyre clearance.
i have a double-decker grail from this year and i love it as it is very versatile. but the new bike looks insane. Almost wished i waited a little longer, haha. Love how they made the bags more flush and added storage spaces. But they need to allow people to get different sizes when it comes to handlebars, this has always been this bike's issue.
Decided to order a gen 1 after not being overly impressed with the changes on this, for my use. Good for racing, I'm sure, but I'm not doing that. And I do actually want the double decker for comfort and versatility on longer rides and on pavement. On clearance now plus free shipping, best price yet after I've been looking at getting one for a couple years now, this was too good a deal to pass up.
Love Canyon, I have the Aeroad. The CFR frame is stiffer for sure, for good and bad. You feel some of that stiffness in the ride.
I’ve just had a test ride on this at Canyons HQ in Koblenz. I’m 188cm tall, 91.5cm inside leg,and although the geometry chart on the Canyon website suggests that I need a large the staff there told me that they recommend a medium as it’s a long bike. All of the staff said I spoke to said that in their experience everyone needs to go down a size. The medium felt like my Endurace large, both in position and handling. I tried a large and it felt enormous was not comfortable. I normally ride a 58 Specialized Diverge, and this felt so much more nimble and fast. The lighter weight probably makes most of the difference, but it felt good. I’m tempted, but I really want a mullet gearing with a 10-52 and 42 chainring. I love climbing and technical surfaces but I only have an FTP of 215, and at 66 I’m not going to get any fitter. The Crux may be an option but I’d like downtube storage and top tube mounts. The Enve Mog is another one I’ve looked at but haven’t ridden.
One of your best videos. This format where you go out and ride it's cool
Will it fit a 45c tire?
DES GADGETS INUTILES !!!!!!
To answer one of your flaws, you can't put SRAM Red on a tire over 42mm. Need the WIDE version which is only produced for Force or Rival tiers at the moment.
@davidearthur Hi, i'm in search of a gravel bike for performace and travel. I see the new canyon grail cf slx 8 axs and the orbea terra m21e team. The prices are similar but the grail have carbon wheels. is this bikes good for bikepacking and speed? Is the tyre clerance a limit on the grail ? thanks
Nice of Canyon to tacitly admit that their double-decker handlebar was daft and ugly.
Nice bike, but it's still a Canyon
I am between M-L what size would you recommend? Thank you in advance
For people wondering, items are:
Frame storage bag
Tire pump/multitool
Tire repair kit with inner tube and gas canister
it's definitely on my short-list, but tires and non-custumizable cockpit could be a deal breaker for me
Are those handlebar mounts adapting with quad lock systems ?