Grail (Race)
Origin
Canyon, founded by Roman Arnold in Koblenz, Germany, grew from a family bike-parts business into one of the world's best-known direct-to-consumer bike brands, selling high-spec bikes online at prices that undercut traditional dealers. The Grail launched in 2018 as Canyon's answer to the emerging gravel category, and it immediately became a talking point thanks to its radical double-decker 'Hover' handlebar — a two-tier cockpit designed to add compliance and multiple hand positions. For 2024 Canyon completely reinvented the Grail, killing the divisive Hover bar, pushing the geometry toward outright gravel racing, and for the first time offering it in the brand's flagship CFR carbon tier. The result is a dedicated race machine that sits alongside the more adventure-minded Canyon Grizl in the range.
Specifications
- Frame
- Carbon: CFR (top, ~855-990g claimed), CF SLX (~933-1120g), CF SL; alloy on entry AL builds
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Build-dependent: SRAM Red/Force/Rival XPLR AXS (1x12/1x13) or Shimano GRX / GRX Di2 (1x12 or 2x12)
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc, flat-mount, gravel-specific (Shimano GRX or SRAM depending on build)
- Wheels
- Build-dependent: Zipp 303 XPLR SW hookless (CFR), DT Swiss GRC 1400 (CF SLX), Reynolds ATR, or alloy on lower builds
The verdict
- Exceptional value — race-level frames, wheels and groupsets for well under equivalent dealer-brand prices
- Light and explosively fast on smooth-to-mixed gravel; stiff, eager-accelerating frameset
- Modern 2024 gen fixes the biggest gen-1 complaint (double-decker bar) and adds internal storage and clean aero cockpit
- Firm ride — transmits vibration and gets 'feisty' on rough, rooty or rocky technical terrain
- 42mm tyre clearance limits it for mud, big-volume tyres and serious bikepacking (the Grizl is better there)
- Direct-to-consumer means self-assembly and no local dealer; proprietary one-piece cockpit limits fit adjustment
Generations
Gen 1 (2018-2023) — Hover bar
- The original, defined by its polarising two-tier handlebar; comfort-leaning, do-it-all gravel bike.
- Frame
- CF SLX / CF SL carbon & AL alloy
Gen 2 (2024+) — Race redesign
- Reinvented as a dedicated gravel racer: aero frame, internal storage, first CFR tier, ~9W claimed saving at 45 km/h.
- Frame
- CFR / CF SLX / CF SL carbon (+ AL builds)
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | CurrentGrail CFR AXS | CurrentGrail CFR Di2 (+ optional Rift fork) | CurrentGrail CF SLX 8 Di2 | CurrentGrail CF SLX 8 AXS | CurrentGrail CF SL 7 AERO | CurrentGrail CF 8 1by | CurrentGrail CF SL 7 | Grail CF SL 7.0 (Gen 1, Hover bar) | Grail AL 7.0 SL (alloy, Gen 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2020 | 2020 |
| Frame | CFR carbon (~990g) | CFR carbon | CF SLX carbon (~1120g) | CF SLX carbon | CF SL carbon | CF SL carbon | CF SL carbon | CF SL carbon, double-decker Hover bar | Aluminium, flat-top alloy bar |
| Drivetrain | SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1x13 | Shimano GRX Di2 2x12 | Shimano GRX Di2 2x12 | SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 | Shimano GRX 1x12 | Shimano GRX 2x12 | Shimano GRX RX600/RX810 2x11 (46/30, 11-34) | Shimano GRX 2x11 |
| MSRP | €7,999 | €6,999 | €4,899 | €4,899 | €3,699 | €2,799 | €2,399 | €2,199 | €1,499 |
| Purpose | Flagship | Flagship | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Value | Value | Value | Value |
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