Gravel riding has exploded on a global scale and more and more entrants are populating the best gravel bike line-up, making it harder to make a decision on which bike to buy. However, Canyon was one of the early adopters of the concept, not only when it came to creating a unique bike with the Canyon Grail, but also developed unique components to help make the off-road experience faster and more. comfortable.
The all-carbon CF SL nameplate is sandwiched between the range-topping CF SLX and entry-level Grail AL monikers, and represents the brand’s second-tier option. It combines electronic shifting with proven geometry and ride comfort, but how adept is it when the trail gets gnarly?
Canyon has the answer for that already – it’s called the Grizl – but what if I told you the Grail can do everything you throw at it and more – intrigued? Thought this.
Design and aesthetics
The Grail CF SL 7 eTap is available in two color options – ‘sand’ or ‘forest’ and both aren’t very inspiring hues if I’m honest. Finished in matte, the forest-green shade is the most attractive of the two options.
Canyon has tried to add some contrast to the visual package with a blacked-out fork and headtube that flows into the top- and downtube, but this looks more like an afterthought than a dedicated design decision.
That said, Canyon does have a range of proprietary bags that fit neatly within this black section so I guess it kind of serves a purpose … The Canyon wordmark takes pride of place on the downtube while the model design is reversed out on the black paint on the toptube. The frame design is typical of Canyon, featuring boxy tube profiling and chamfered sections – visual touches that double up on compliance measures, too.
Viewed in profile, it’s hard to confuse it for anything other than a Grail. The toptube, which falls away after the kink behind the headtube, and the double-decker ‘hoverbar’, has become a trademark features of the carbon-specific model. The hoverbar – or CP07 in Canyon speak – is the Grail’s most defining feature. Polarising in appearance and application, it does serve a purpose, but more on that later. The frame, however, has been built around the bar. So you want to fit a ‘regular’ handlebar, not only will you lose that flush / frame look, if you ditch some spacers, the front end will end up worryingly low and ultimately ruin the handling dynamics and comfort.
In terms of the geometry numbers, finding the right size can be a little confusing. The model pictured here is a medium but comes with a quoted toptube length of 56cm. At 175cm tall, I tend to straddle the small or medium sizing spectrum (52 / 54cm) but after digging into the Canyon’s rhetoric the medium looked a better option for me. Why the peculiar sizing? Well, Canyon refrains from quoting standard reach and stack figures, not to mention the toptube figure which is longer for each particular size. This comes down to the proprietary cockpit assembly as the frame dimension figures are included together with the hoverbar and stem.
Specifications and build
The Grail CF SL 7 eTap is a handsomely appointed bike. It’s built around a SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR groupset – rock-solid componentry that has impressed us since its launch last year. As such, there’s a SRAM 40T narrow / wide single chainring up front driving and a 10-44T cassette at the rear. The brakes too are SRAM Rival, which clamps down on Paceline rotors measuring 160mm front and rear.
Rolling stock comes from a DT Swiss / Schwalbe G-One R 40mm combination. The proven GRC 1600 Spline carbon wheels complete with aerodynamics by Swissside are both lightweight and stiff. At 40mm, the wheel profile looks pretty deep for all integrations and purposes of gravel riding but it does come with a 24mm internal rim width which helps provide more voluminous tire footprint – a necessity for technical gravel riding.
The CP07 hoverbar and S15 VCLS 2.0 CF seatpost, and a Fizik Argo Terra perch.
Ride, handling and performance
Out on the road, the Grail is a frighteningly fast bike, regardless of the terrain. While most of my testing was carried out on dirt, it was quite open to its urgency and ability to accelerate. This sense of speed is the same as gravel and its ability to hold momentum is impressive, even when the trail ahead becomes more serpentine in flow. In fact, the Grail impressed me most – especially when descending and climbing up appreciably steep terrain.
The SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR works well in this application. Superb modulation. Despite the clutch-actuated rear derailleur there’s still a child of chain slap about, but the preinstalled chainstay protector does its job properly. The 40T, 10-44T drivetrain is well balanced and supplies a good combination of top speed and climbing proficiency – there’s plenty of low-end gearing up to its super-steep inclines but that also comes down to its 8.79kg weight.
While it can be difficult to ride on the road, it can handle some of this kind of riding without much concern.
The combination of the chunky frame, 40mm tires, S15 VCLS 2.0 CF suspension seatpost, and hoverbar for a great job of ironing out trail buzz. The hoverbar in particular is much more functional than a gimmick. Its unusual configuration provides multiple hand positions. I counted up to five, which not only provides you with the saddle for several hours but also lets you get creative in terms of manoeuvability and navigating trickier sections of off-road terrain. In terms of the upper section of the hoverbar’s ‘flex area’, there is some perceptible giving but that is best exploited by deviating in the correct tire pressure, too.
Speaking of Tires, the Grail comes fitted with a Schwalbe G-One R 40mm tires out of the box. They roll well but have a propensity of clogging up in wetter, muddier conditions. Still, they supply ample grip on loose gravel and dispatch sand quite effectively, but this can be down to the low pressure that I usually run – around 32psi front and rear. Not only does this provide a sense of connection in the front end but also acts as a suspension measure, too.
The handling is superb. In fact, it’s one of the best behaved gravel bikes in the segment when it comes to leaning into its grip reserves and trusting the front end. The same can be said for the underpinnings that deliver vivid communication, to the point where mistakes can be corrected before there’s a problem.
How we test
For information on Cyclingnews’ testing protocol and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page.
Verdict
The Canyon Grail CF SL 7 eTap is a difficult gravel bike to fault. While designed to dispatch off-road terrain with relative ease, it’s no pavement and Tarmac roads either – and even hold its own on more technical singletrack terrain.
Not everyone will approve of the cockpit hoverbar but it does its job and adds to the bike’s allure. As a one-bike option, the Grail is versatile enough to be used everyday or a weekend explorer where stitching together mixed terrain is a primary focus. It does everything well – there’s also seven frame size options spanning XXS to 2XL.
From the out-and-out race-day gravel bike, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 eTap makes a strong case for itself, more so when you consider the £ 3,349 / $ 3,199 / € 3,499 sticker price. It’s razor sharp at speed, communicative and responsive and climbs with resolute ease. That said, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 is a great deal with options for all riders and price points – including the just-as-capable.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design and aesthetics | Design-wise the Grail looks superb, and cuts a unique and vivid profile. However, our test bike looks a bit bland and could be done with a bolder, catchier paint scheme | 7/10 |
| Components | SRAM’s third-tier electronic groupset – Rival eTap AXS – powers the Grail. It’s superb, offering instant shifting, reliable braking and stellar mix of gears | 9/10 |
| Performance, handling and geometry | A versatile, razor sharp dirt destroyer – the Grail combines road-bike-like speed and hardtail mountain bike traction – the result is one of the fastest and precise gravel bikes on the market | 10/10 |
| Weight | At 8.79kg, the Grail CF SL 7 eTap is lighter than some road bikes. This means it’s fast up climbs and even sprightlier through serpentine terrain | 10/10 |
| Value for money | At £ 3,349 / $ 3,199 / € 3,499, there is no better appointment for the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 | 9/10 |
| Overall rating | 90% |
Logbook: Canyon Grail CF SL 7 eTap
- Temperature: 0 to 28 degrees
- Weather: Windy, sunny
- Road surface: Mixed surfaces but mainly gravel and singletrack
- Route: Tarmac, bridleways, gravel
- Rides: 11
- Mileage: 407km
Tech Specs: Canyon Grail CF SL 7 eTap
- Price: £ 3,349 / $ 3,199 / € 3,499
- Frame: Carbon, Grail CF SL
- Size: Medium, 56cm
- Weight: 8.79kg (actual without pedals)
- Groupset: SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR
- Crankset: SRAM Rival D1 Wide, 40T
- Cassette: SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR, 10-44T
- Wheels: DT Swiss GRC 1600 Spline
- Tires: Schwalbe G-One R, 40mm
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTAP with Paceline rotors
- Bar / stem: Canyon CP07 Gravel Cockpit CF
- Seatpost: Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 CF
- Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra X5