There wasn't much that could be criticised about the previous Canyon Grizl: A true off-road all-rounder; comfortable, practical and suitable for touring, with plenty of eyelets for attaching luggage. Thanks to ample space for wide tyres, it is also suitable for more difficult terrain, and at the same time sporty enough to be fun for ambitious riders. However, the adventure gravel bike had a lot in common with the Grail race gravel bike, which was offered at the same time and also had the ability to go on tour with luggage. It is therefore not surprising that the Koblenz-based company is attempting to better differentiate between the two off-road racers with a retread of the Grizl and appeal more specifically to buyers.
However, as requirements can vary greatly, Canyon has several versions and additional features on offer. In future, the Grizl will be divided into purist "Original Graveller" and touring "Escape" versions. The latter come with a new, multifunctional cockpit that can integrate a handlebar bag on a central bracket and is intended to offer more grip positions, as well as a wide range of mountain bike gearing. In both product groups, there are variants with an integrated dynamo lighting system including a buffer battery that also serves as a power bank, called "ECLIPS". The concept is comparable to the "Unsupported" version of the Rose Backroad and uses some of the same components. The suffix "RIFT" also refers to two models with suspension forks. Sounds complicated? It is, but more on that later.
Let's start by focussing on the actual platform: we have invited the Grizl CF 7, an attractively priced mid-range model without any additional bells and whistles. The new direction of the Grizl becomes clear as soon as you try it out: with an (even) more comfortably cut frame and short stem, the bike has an emphatically upright riding position, and the handlebars are almost two centimetres higher than on the previous model. If you prefer a sporty position, you should plan to change the stem straight away or steer clear of the Grizl.
Canyon Grizl CF 7: High front and wide handlebars
The extremely wide handlebars also take some getting used to if you're coming from a road racing bike. The 44 centimetres in brake grip position on the size M test bike are certainly a matter of getting used to. On the other hand, you have to like the 50 centimetres at the handlebar ends - especially as we were often inclined to reach into the lower handlebars due to the upright position. In terms of riding dynamics, the bike has been trimmed for extremely stable directional stability. A slacker steering angle and longer wheelbase make it tempting to simply iron out obstacles or holes, instead of playfully cornering around them.
Overall, the bike doesn't feel very manoeuvrable on easy terrain. The Grizl reveals its strengths on difficult off-road descents, where the bike sits like a board and doesn't get rattled so easily. The new geometry also copes better with steep, rough uphill sections because the bike doesn't lose its balance so easily. This should be a relief when loaded with luggage.
The fact that the focus during development was not on measured values is evident in the test laboratory. Less weight? Not a chance. At just under ten kilograms, the test bike is the heaviest carbon Grizl that has rolled into the editorial office since its launch in 2021. More comfort? Not at all. Although the suspension support, which is fitted to all models with the exception of the entry-level model, is one of the most comfortable anyway. As usual with Canyon, the bike has no weaknesses in terms of other features. On the other hand, we find some of the cost-cutting measures in the equipment unusual. The simple GRX cranks add to the weight and the inexpensive brake discs don't get the most out of the Shimano stoppers. Although the price of the bike is competitive compared to the competition, it is by no means a bargain.
On the plus side: a new storage compartment in the down tube and an extended range of accessories with mudguards, bags and pannier racks for the front and rear. Together with the equipment variants mentioned at the beginning, you can order your dream bike in one go - at least in theory. In practice, some exciting configurations fall by the wayside. For example, anyone who finds the integrated dynamo lighting system useful but is unfamiliar with the exalted handlebars of the Escape version will inevitably have to go for the € 7999 top model with SRAM Red AXS groupset - not exactly an everyday bike. The suspension fork developed with DT Swiss for the Grizl and the lighting system are also mutually exclusive. Because the cabling in the frame is not prepared for all variants, retrofitting is time-consuming. Fans of double cranks are also left out in the cold: due to the lack of a derailleur mount, only single drivetrains are possible on the Grizl.
The most important information about the Canyon Grizl CF 7
- Price: 2699 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.0 kilos
- Frame sizes: 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
- TOUR grade: 2,3
Geometry data
- Seat/top/head tube: 520/575/158 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 616/394 millimetres/1.66
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 657/553 millimetres/1.19
- Wheelbase: 1080 millimetres
Equipment of the gravel bike
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 610/822 (1x12, 40, 10-45 t.) | Note: 2,5
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 | Note: 1,5
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RX 45 millimetres | Note: 1,0
- Impellers: DT Swiss Gravel LN
- Impeller weights: 1903/2645 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 9990 g | Note: 4,0
- Driving stability: 8.29 N/mm | Note: 1,7
- Rear comfort: 89 N/mm | Note: 1,3
- Comfort front: 99 N/mm | Note: 1,7
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 56 N/mm | Note: 1,7
Strengths and weaknesses of the Canyon
Strengths
- comfortable
- many sizes
- Many optional accessories
Weaknesses
- Relatively heavy
- sluggish driving behaviour
How our sister magazine TOUR tests
Jens Klötzer
Editor
