The Canyon Grail's World Championship record is impressive. After Kasia Niewiadoma in the previous year, last year Mathieu van der Poel on the gravel bike from Koblenz into the rainbow jersey of the gravel world champion. The two road pros chose the rainbow jersey for their races. Top model CFRand with a customised set-up that is not available to end customers. However, the CF SLX 8 AXS comes remarkably close to the high-end version in terms of riding characteristics and performance data.
With the relaunch of the Grail a year ago, Canyon said goodbye to the eye-catching double handlebars. Instead, an aerodynamically optimised one-piece cockpit sits enthroned at the front, which, in addition to aesthetics, focuses primarily on riding comfort. In combination with the flattened carbon support at the rear, the Grail offers really good suspension. The fact that the maximum tyre clearance is only 42 millimetres is therefore bearable.
Canyon Grail CF: Racer with all-round qualities
Overall, the high level of suspension comfort is a quality feature in the field of race-orientated gravel bikes, to which the bike belongs according to the product description. However, one would not do justice to the powerful Canyon if one limited it only to its suitability for racing. Instead, the Grail proves to be a competitive all-rounder that is also equipped for longer off-road adventures. The comparatively upright riding position, the emphatically directional steering behaviour and the numerous attachment points for luggage and mudguards are all indications of this.
Another unusual feature in the race category is the storage compartment integrated into the down tube for a puncture repair kit. Although the top models are based on a lighter carbon frame, the test bike with a gravel-specific groupset is the second lightest in the range. Only the Grail CFR XPLR with the new 1x13 gearbox from Sram weighs less than eight kilograms, but also costs 3200 euros more. The CF SLX 8 AXS therefore represents a well-rounded overall package with world champion flair, where ambitious racers might only miss a power meter.
Facts & figures about the Canyon Grail CF
- Price: 5299 Euro
- Weight of complete bike: 8.2 kilos
- Frame sizes: 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 1.8 (test winner; the Canyon Grail CF shares the test victory with the Trek Checkmate)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 508/575/164 millimetres
- Stack/reach/STR: 611/402 millimetres/1.52
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 651/559 millimetres/1.16
- Wheelbase/caster: 1060/66 millimetres
Equipment
- Drivetrain/gear system: Sram Force XPLR AXS (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.) | Grade: 2.0
- Brakes: Sram Force (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC 40 mm (eff.: 40 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Wheels: Zipp 303 Firecrest
- Wheel weights: 1471/1997 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: low overall weight, high spring comfort, seven frame sizes
- Minus: High assembly effort
Julian Schultz
Editor
