C
CarreraGryphon
hybrid
01
Origin
The Gryphon debuted in late 2011 as Carrera's answer to the flat-bar road bike trend — a 700c commuter that borrows road-bike speed with disc brakes and urban practicality. The frame geometry was designed specifically for flat bars, adding length to the top tube to restore the reach lost compared to drop bars. It was reviewed warmly at launch as one of the more capable budget urban bikes available in the UK at the time.
02
Specifications
- Frame
- 6061 / 7005 aluminium (plain gauge); flat-bar-specific geometry with approx. 30mm extra top-tube length vs drop-bar equivalent; mudguard and rack eyelets
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Early models: Shimano 16-speed with FSA Tempo compact chainset (50/34t), Shimano SL-R440 trigger shifters, Shimano FD-R440/RD-2300, 11-25t cassette; Later limited edition builds: SRAM SX5 with 50/36t compact chainset, 12-26t cassette
- Brakes
- Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes (160mm rotors) on Shimano builds; Tektro IOs mechanical disc brakes (160mm) on SRAM builds
- Wheels
- 700c; DBR-1 double-wall disc-specific alloy rims, 32 spokes front and rear
03
The verdict
+Strengths
- Purpose-designed flat-bar geometry gives a more natural riding position than adapted drop-bar frames
- Tektro disc brakes perform well in wet UK conditions — a meaningful advantage over rim brakes
- Light for the category at 12.5 kg; road-inspired frame rewards faster commuting pace
−Weaknesses
- Chromoly steel fork adds weight compared to alloy alternatives
- Mechanical disc brakes require more cable pull than hydraulic units — lever feel is firm
- Narrow 28mm tire clearance limits off-road versatility compared to wider-tire hybrids
04
Tags
05
Related models
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