Offers a fast and reactive ride with a focus on aero gains, without compromising on comfort or versatility
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One of the main focuses with the new Grail has been stability; Canyon has made the wheelbase 27mm longer and the head angle slacker, and increased the stack height to make it a more comfortable ride. If I were to buy a Grail, I'd likely go for the XS – or even the XXS – and considering this is supposed to be a fast bike, I'd be able to get more saddle-to-bar drop than I was able to achieve on the S. With the two smallest sizes there's more chance of toe overlap, but on the S I had no issues.
The fork now has a 1 1/8in diameter steerer , which enables you to choose a different cockpit more easily - although Canyon has definitely done its best to make you want to stick with the new Double Drop Bar.…and it can take three bottles – two in the front triangle and one below the down tube. If you need to carry more, the fork can take 'fork sleeves', which work as extra attachment points.
Although I absolutely love electronic shifting, it does take a wee bit of technical know-how to master when setting up. For example, my Di2 was set up in the synchronised shift mode, which means the front derailleur would automatically shift up or down if I tried to cross-chain – you need to know that the modes are changeable, and not panic when your gears start to have a mind of their own.
I have never ridden gravel with aero extensions, nor do I think that will be something I will do in the near future, but many pros do, when allowed. With the new handlebar, Canyon has made that easy by making the handlebar compatible with the triathlon Speedmax bars . On my test bike, I had my cycling computer mounted on the Gear Groove and yes, it is a very neat setup indeed - although you do have to pay 34.95€ extra for the mount.
The quest for comfort extends to the seatpost, too. It's an SP0072 Comfortpost that Canyon says is more compliant than the road seatpost fitted on the Ultimate, and claims is 42g lighter than the The frame bag is a rather straightforward addition, and once you've figured out which way to twist the bag, detaching and snapping it back onto the frame is simple. This way of attaching gear keeps the bike looking pleasingly clean when you don't have the bags on, and removing and putting them back on is a breeze as you don't need to fiddle with Velcro or Voile straps.
It's also worth noting that the tool pouch and pump cost extra. The only thing you get with the bike is the Canyon multi-tool – the rest you can buy on Canyon's website.for the same attributes I like about the Grail: it's light and nimble and not slow on the tarmac, either. Having reviewed the Ribble myself, the Canyon felt instantly stiffer and more confident when you want to put the foot down.
The Grail is a gravel bike aimed mainly at racing. It's very capable at that, but also versatile and good for road rides. I'd say that overall, the Grail is longer, slightly taller and with slacker angles than its main rival gravel bikes.Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?
The wheels' width adds stability and keeps the tyres' contact patch nice and wide too. The DT Swiss hubs have a nice buzz and I didn't struggle with the 42mm depth even in crosswinds.Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so what for?
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