The Canyon Grail isn’t a stranger to us at Biking Weekly. We included the earlier technology in final 12 months’s Gravel Bike of the 12 months testing and have already reviewed a high-end model of the present mannequin when it was launched final October.
The entry-level Grail CF SL 7 AXS is a classy-looking bike with many options you wouldn’t count on at this worth level together with aero-tubing and an built-in cockpit. However how would this funds race-ready machine carry out on the paths and in opposition to the opposite contenders on this 12 months’s Gravel Bike of the 12 months awards.?
The development
There are three ranges of carbon body inside the Grail vary, all of which have the identical geometry, tubing and mounts. The SL model on take a look at is the decrease finish of those, and so is heavier and fewer stiff than the higher-end frames. It additionally forgoes any inner storage.
The development and styling of the Grail provides it clear and trendy look with straight traces operating throughout the bike. I notably just like the shaping of the tubes because the seat stays run into the seat and high tube junction.
The seat keep joins are each lovely and crowd pleasing
(Picture credit score: Future)
Our extra-small mannequin (beneficial for riders 167 – 175cm) had a 1024mm wheelbase, 425mm chain stays, 71o seat tube angle and 73.5o head tube angle placing it, geometry-wise, mid-way between pure racing-biased and the extra adventure-tilted bikes we had in our take a look at, such because the Cotic Casacde.
While many of the Grail’s geometry fell the place anticipated, its comparatively excessive stack (556mm) provides the Grail the next entrance finish than many different gravel race bikes.
Rachel did not get together with the cockpit, with its quick stem and broad bars
(Picture credit score: Future)
Just like the body itself, the construct of the entry-level Grail advantages from the trickle-down design of its fancier stablemates. This implies the SL 7 boasts many aero attributes which might be much less widespread on equally priced bikes akin to an built-in cockpit, totally inner hoses and D-shaped seat put up. The cockpit itself combines a 60mm stem and 420mm width bars (these dimensions improve with growing body dimension).
Element of the d-shaped seatpost on the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Grail CF SL 7 AXS comes geared up with Schwalbe G-One 40mm tubeless prepared (however not arrange) tyres on DT Swiss Gravel LM wheels with 12mm bolt-thru axles. Most tyre is 42mm which is first rate however on the narrower aspect in comparison with lots of the bikes we examined for Gravel Bike of the 12 months, together with the race-orientated Specialised Crux.
The drivetrain and brakes are all SRAM Rival AXS with 1×12 velocity XPLR gearing (10-44T cassette) with a press-fit backside bracket. The sizing of the crank arm size follows the trendy pattern of ‘going small’ with 165mm spec’d on our dimension XS take a look at bike. This received’t be for everybody, however I believe it’s good to see a better vary of crank lengths throughout the size-range reasonably than a one (or two) dimension suits all method.
The journey
I used to be actually enthusiastic about using the Grail. Its look, geometry and spec instructed that it was simply what I needed for a summer season of gravel using; quick and purposeful however with the flexibility to enterprise onto extra technical trails after I fancied scaring myself. I even had the chance to blast it down the identical gravel tracks that featured on this 12 months’s Tour de France.
The Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS is without doubt one of the most good-looking gravel bikes we have examined
(Picture credit score: Future)
The rear finish of the bike was as fast and responsive as I hoped for; whether or not I used to be pedalling in or out of the saddle or keen it to whip by corners, it dutifully adopted. It might rise up to hurry and keep there; I may make my legs burn if I needed however sit and cruise when wanted
When actually cranking out the saddle it’s doable to have some fork flex and brake rub however, given the specification and worth level, it’s not regarding. The press-fit BB did its fair proportion of creaking too, however once more (for proper or flawed) nothing out of the atypical. So, at this level, all good.
The body has fixing factors for a entrance derailleur, however the gearing is already so versatile they’re unlikely for use
(Picture credit score: Future)
Nevertheless, the entrance finish of the bike felt utterly mismatched to each me and its personal rear finish. Firstly it was fairly quick, so didn’t put you in an extended, low, racy place. This shortness isn’t by the body itself (the attain is fairly customary for a racing-leaning gravel bike) however the stem which was round 20mm shorter than equally designed bikes of the identical dimension.
Combining the shorter ‘general attain’ with the beneficiant stack ends in fairly an upright leisurely place. The peak of the entrance finish made me need to get within the drops to weight the entrance wheel however the shortness of the bike made this fairly a crumpled place and never one I needed to remain in.
The broad 420mm bars have been at odds with the XS body
(Picture credit score: Future)
The opposite anomaly of the entrance finish was the comparatively broad bars – 420mm for an XS bike is beneficiant (420mm on the three smallest sizes, 440mm for medium and enormous, 460mm for XL and XXL sized bikes). With out with the ability to rise up and over the entrance finish and weight the entrance wheel, this width felt an excessive amount of.
A more in-depth take a look at the geometry charts makes me suspect that the “excessive and quick” really feel is rather more distinguished on the smaller fashions than the bigger ones with the ratio between the “as constructed” stack and attain reducing with growing body dimension.
Regardless of this, the bike’s dealing with on each tough gravel and technical terrain was nonetheless good, obediently going wherever I wanted it to. It simply didn’t really feel quick or enjoyable.
Worth
If it was all the way down to appears to be like and attributes the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS could be laborious to beat; with £3,299 (diminished to £2,949 at time of press) shopping for you full aero tubing, built-in cockpit and wi-fi shifting.
However, be warned, the draw back of such expertise at this worth level is the relative expense of creating any alterations. My important gripe could possibly be mitigated with an extended and narrower cockpit however at £300, round 10% of the price of the bike, that’s an costly factor to check out.
Specs
- Body and fork: Canyon Grail CF SL- carbon
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS
- Cassette: SRAM Rival XPLR XG-1251, 12-speed, 10-44T
- Crank: SRAM Rival 165 mm
- Backside bracket: SRAM Pressfit DUB Vast
- Chain: SRAM Rival D1 12s
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 160mm rotor Wheels
- Wheels: DT Swiss Gravel LN
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R, 40mm
- Cockpit: one piece, 60 x 420mm, 16° flare on at drops, 5° backsweep
- Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo X5
- Seat put up: Carbon (CF)
- Sizes: 2XS – 2XL (seven sizes)
- Max tyre clearance: 42 mm
- Weight: 8.9 kg (XS as examined)