Five years ago, a gravel bike with a unique, distinctive look hit the market. On a young, still immature market, the first Canyon Grail made quite a splash with its “double-deck handlebar”.
I was lucky enough to ride this bike for 2 years. For its time, it was one of a kind for me and delivered some great sensations.
But today, Canyon is presenting a completely rethought model. While the name is the same, almost everything else has changed! Let me present the review of the Canyon Grail CF SLX 8, second generation! ๐
Strengths:
- Innovative, modern design
- Performance on the road
- Components and accessories
Could be better
- Comfort falls short
- Slightly short stem
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 review (2024)
Usually, I start my articles by introducing the model. But here, whatโs the point? All the specialist media have already done that. So letโs focus on what matters: a thorough, top-to-bottom test of this gravel bike.
(but I still showcase this machine on video!)
๐ Test conditions:
Received in October, my first rides took place in very fickle weather. Fast-rolling tracks and country roads were its first playgrounds. After that, I was able to push this gravel bike a bit further to its limits…
Delivery, setup and finish โ โ โ โ โ
As you probably know, Canyon sells its bikes exclusively through its website. Once delivered to your door by UPS, the machine is extremely easy to assemble. Fit the cockpit, the seatpost and both wheels… and thatโs it!
๐ Everything was perfectly packed and the drivetrain was properly adjusted.
As for the finish, I found this model very well finished. The glossy paint looks superb and contrasts nicely with the matte black, even if the latter shows marks more easily ๐.
Canyon stuck with the Grail #1 design language, but you can count on them to release some surprising limited editions in the coming months. Aesthetically, even though I find it well-proportioned, itโs not the “best-looking” gravel bike of the year. But thatโs subjective, of course.
Finally, I weighed the bike stripped down, without pedals, bottle cages or accessories, and I get exactly 8 kg. A pretty compelling weight for a gravel bike! Especially since you can optimise it quite easily. For instance, I saved a few grams by swapping tyres at the end of the test (Panaracer Gravelking Semi Slick in 35 mm instead of the Pirelli Cinturato in 40 mm).
Frame, components and accessories โ โ โ โ โ
When I first looked at this bikeโs geometry chart, Iโll admit I was slightly surprised. The top tube is relatively long, as is the wheelbase. That oversized top tube is offset by a setback seatpost and a (very) short stem. I therefore end up with dimensions equivalent to my Trek Checkpoint.
Despite being 1.85 m tall with an 89 cm inseam, I opted for a size M frame. As with most bikes, I usually sit between an M and an L (56/58). But in my view, itโs easier to lengthen a slightly small bike than to shorten one thatโs too big.
If youโre in the same situation, just make sure youโll have enough seatpost extension. Here, I still have over 3 cm to spare.
On paper, receiving a cockpit with an effective 70 mm stem left me puzzled. Same for a 44 cm wide handlebar on a size M… And yet!
This short stem gives the bike great agility, and it even caught me out once or twice early on when exiting corners a bit hastily.
The 44 cm handlebar width seemed excessive for a size Mโฆ But in the end, its design makes me feel particularly comfortable on it. If the stock comboโs dimensions seem disproportionate to you, Iโd still suggest riding it and forming your own opinion before considering a swap.
Still on this combo, the accessory mounting system is well thought out. It offers great versatility while also reducing the risk of breaking an out-front mount subjected to repeated gravel impacts.
This GPS mount also lets you attach the Canyon light directly underneath via a magnet. Clever and aero!
Apart from the Canyon frame and cockpit, thereโs also a proprietary D-shaped seatpost. Thereโs no suspension system or the like here. Comfort comes more from having plenty of exposed seatpost and thus some leverage. Thereโs a dust cover and an under-mounted clamp tightened with a Torx key… Personally, Iโm not a big fan of this kind of bolt on a bike.
Drivetrain-wise, you get the new SRAM Force groupset, which is very close to its little brother, Rival, that Iโve been used to for 2 years now. Progressive braking, impeccable shifting and good ergonomics. I canโt find any real flaw with this groupset, even if I do miss the two small buttons on top of the hoods that are specific to Shimano ๐ . To make up for that, SRAM lets you add little wireless buttons you can place anywhere on the bar.
Getting a stock 42T chainring fits this bikeโs DNA well. The more powerful among us will likely go 44, or more.
For the wheelset, we stay within the SRAM family with the Zipp 303 Firecrest. Having ridden the 303S for 2 years now, I really noticed a true difference.
Stiff, still hookless rims. Lightweight, they transmit power beautifully. They match the Canyon Grailโs DNA.
Tyre-wise, you get Pirelli Cinturato in 40 mm. Iโm still blown away by these tyres that keep great rolling efficiency on tarmac while offering decent versatility on tracks.
The Fizik Terra Argo X3 saddle may be a bit long (27 cm) but helps offset the frameโs stiffness by slightly absorbing trail chatter. A very good stock saddle, to be adjusted to your preferences.
I therefore find Canyonโs stock build close to flawless. The components are extremely well chosen and give you a bike thatโs ready to ride without any immediate changes.
You might say: thankfully, at this price! But itโs still common to find mid-range gravel bikes with mismatched components.
I only regret the lack of a SRAM Quarq power meter (left crank), which is relatively affordable and would pair perfectly with such a bike.
The storage space in the down tube is rather well thought out: it closely resembles what you find on the Trek Checkpoint. I find the semi-rigid storage pouch well made and easier to insert into the frame. However, itโs very difficult, if not impossible, to stow a standard inner tube (700×38 for example). Only Tubolito or extra-light tubes will fit.
But itโs the only swat box Iโve tested so far that really lets me skip a saddle bag for a race or a full-day ride. You can easily fit:
- One tube
- One CO2 cartridge
- One (or two) tyre lever(s)
- A plug tool
+
- A multi-tool
- A mini pump
โ ๏ธ The pouch is not supplied with the bike. Only the multi-tool is already in place in the swat box.
There are also other accessories I couldnโt test:
- A magnetic frame bag
- A set of mudguards
- Fork mounts for bags
- A dedicated smartphone mount
- 2 handlebar types (Pro and Ergo)
- A rear light that screws onto the seatpost
- Aero extensions (more on these below)
Update – January 2024
In the meantime, I received the mudguard set, the Topeak mini pump and the dedicated frame bag for this bike.
The mudguards ooze quality and install in minutes. Nothing rattles, even on rough gravel, and the look remains more than decent (subjective).
As for the frame bag, itโs also very well made and the magnetic mounts (Fidlock) are very well thought out. Only its capacity is a bit tight given the footprint.
Finally, the mini pump fits perfectly into the swat box lid, meaning you can carry EVERYTHING needed for repairs inside the frame!
On the trails โ โ โ โ โ
The frame offers good stiffness, especially lateral, which you feel as soon as you get out of the saddle. I felt it from the very first pedal strokes and it stayed with me throughout the test! A healthy, lively character paired with excellent agility.
The tyre clearance limited to 42 mm might put you off, but in my opinion itโs not a major flaw.
With 40 mm, you can already go almost anywhere. I even crossed France on that width over trails that were sometimes MTB-like, in atrocious conditions… And Iโm about as technical as a draft horse!
When you see the mud pits cyclocross racers have fun in with sections limited to 33… On this type of gravel bike, that doesnโt strike me as inconsistent or a deal-breaker.
And even if this Canyon Grail can be ridden on very rough terrain, I donโt think thatโs the philosophy of this bike.
On the road โ โ โ โ โ
It might sound odd, but I think itโs important to judge a gravel bike like this on paved or very fast sections.
A behaviour thatโs exemplary enough to make many road bikes blush, especially if you adapt the tyres.
Iโll give you a stat that doesnโt mean a whole lot given how many factors can influence results. But I did several very fast-rolling rides (80-90% road) at over 28 km/h average at only 170 W (Zone 1 for me). And this was solo, no shelter or draft, on the stock 40 mm tyres! Doing endurance rides this fast, or almost, compared with my road bike genuinely surprised me.
On harder rides, tyres start to matter a lot, but once youโre on 28 or 30 mm, this Canyon Grail is clearly a true road bike, or almost. I could line up for FFC races without worry, even triathlons (thanks to the extensions).
Indeed… Thanks to the Gear Groove system on the cockpit, you can fit proprietary aero extensions. Theyโre similar, or almost, to those found on the Canyon Speedmax, the German brandโs triathlon bike. Having ridden that machine for many months, I found the extensions very comfortable. However, theyโre slightly lacking in hand spacing.
Even if you can regret the proprietary nature of the system, I think itโs an excellent point for athletes who want to tackle ultra races or triathlons with this gravel bike.
Comfort โ โ โ โโ
I received this bike set up with inner tubes… Needless to say, that influenced my first impressions of comfort. The front end struggles to filter vibrations. Itโs a bit better at the rear, surely thanks to the saddle and the generous seatpost extension.
Once set up tubeless, itโs slightly better, but comfort is not its primary quality. You need to be on form to fully enjoy this bike, at the risk of feeling “stuck” when youโre off your game. Conversely, I donโt find it that demanding to hold a tempo pace.
My verdict on the Canyon Grail (2nd generation)
In my opinion, Canyon has made a strong statement with this new model. Probably more exclusive than Grail #1 in its behaviour, but much more versatile in its design. Ultra-distance on road or gravel, a few days of bikepacking, gravel racing, spirited group rides… In short, itโs the do-it-all bike for riders chasing performance.
For someone who commutes, goes on long bike trips and rides very rough terrain, this 2nd-generation Canyon Grail is clearly not the right fit. For everything else, itโs perfect for 90% of so-called โgravelโ routes and can also take you fast and far on the road with the right tyres.
Reassuring finish, a balanced build, smart storage and more than enough mounting points. Add to that a well-thought-out range of dedicated accessories and we might well be looking at the gravel bike of 2024?
As for model choice, I think the CF SLX version is the smartest pick, in SRAM or Shimano depending on your personal preferences.
Indeed, even if the CF SL range already brings nice improvements, I recommend, if your budget allows, going for the CF SLX models which benefit from the same advances as the CFR frame for only a few grams more (and that still depends on the build), but for a lot less โฌโฌโฌ! As so often, the mid-range wins ๐
