Price: $2,299
Weight: 18.4 lb. (XS)
Style: Gravel
Drivetrain: Shimano 105
Frame material: Carbon
Tire clearance: 42mm
Wheel size: 650b (XXS, XS), 700c (S, M)
The right bike for: Women who want to join the gravel party—with the option to drop the gravel party, of course
More Canyon Grail CF SL Images Buy Canyon Grail CF SL Now
For anyone who’s ever ridden for hours on gravel roads, you’ve undoubtedly reached that familiar point where your triceps ache, your shoulders start to feel a little battered, and your hands turn tingly or numb. The Canyon Grail’s innovative double drop bar is meant to postpone (and ideally, prevent) these all-day-shredding symptoms. The carbon gravel bike was designed to be equally fast and comfortable on both road and dirt. It has damping properties that allow you to ride smoother off-road, but is still stiff enough to be sprightly and responsive to your sprint. This women’s version comes equipped with an 11-32 11-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain, Shimano disc brakes, sturdy aluminum wheels, and a women-specific saddle. The Schwalbe G-One Bite tires add to the bike’s versatility: They have low enough rolling resistance that they won’t hold you back on the road, but enough grip to remain stable through loose-gravel corners. If you want to feel fast and in control on road, gravel, and tame singletrack, as well as manage your comfort on bumpy terrain, this is the bike for you.
Crisp Shifting
A mechanical Shimano 105 drivetrain offers reliable shifting.
Integrated Cockpit
Because aero is everything, even off-road.
Internal Routing
Keeps everything sleek, clean, and out of the way.
Versatile Tires
Schwalbe One Bites are quick on the road and grippy in corners.
Seeing Double
A double drop bar takes the sting out of rough roads.
Grail Family
The Grail is available in four men’s and two women’s models, and as a frameset. All men’s models are available in sizes 2XS to 2XL. The SLX 8.0 Di2 ($4,899) is the top-of-the-line version, followed by the $3,599 CF SL 8.0 Di2, which loses the carbon wheels, and the $2,899 CF SL 8.0, which gets aluminum wheels and loses the Di2. The $2,299 CF SL 7.0 comes with Shimano 105 shifting and aluminum wheels. Women’s Grail models are available in sizes XS to M. Both the WMN SL 8.0 ($2,899) and WMN SL 7.0 (reviewed here) share the same frame as the CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 and come with 11-speed Shimano Ultegra mechanical shifting, a women-specific saddle, and aluminum wheels. Right now, both the men’s and women’s CF SL 8.0 are $300 off.
Geometry
Canyon refers to the frame itself as “sport geometry,” which puts the rider in a position that is both comfortable and aggressive, without making you feel compromised on crumbly descents or street sign sprints. The two smallest sizes are outfitted with smaller wheels than the rest in order to preserve the frame-to-wheel ratio—bigger tires. The wheel base is slightly longer compared to similar bikes like the Specialized Diverge (a size 54-1004mm, while a size M Grail has 1029mm wheel base—a significant 2.5cm longer) wheel base allows for extra tire clearance (the grail fits up to 42mm tires) and offers more stability, making for a less-twitchy ride. The unique cockpit design makes it tough to compare to other bikes’ stack and reach measurements, but according to Canyon, the reach is about 10mm shorter and it has about 23mm taller stack in comparison to other Canyon bikes of the same size. This is consistent with how it felt to ride the grail—it was a touch more upright than a racing bike. This is when ordering bikes online becomes tricky; if you do order the wrong size, Canyon handles exchanges and returns promptly as long as the bike is new condition (if it’s slightly used they offer an exchange for credit on their site).
The Canyon CP01 CF Cockpit, Explained
The drop bar’s bottom rung interfaces with the headset, leaving the upper rung without the traditional support of the stem. This, along with the tapered design, allows the middle of the bar to flex up to seven times more than a traditional bar, according to Canyon. The drops, on the other hand, gain the support of both rungs, adding stiffness and precision when descending (plus, you can hook your thumbs on the lower rung for a locked-in grip). Canyon says the hover bar adds only 120 grams to the weight of the bike, compared to a standard bar. Other cockpit suspension systems, like Specialized’s Future Shock, can add up to 400 grams. Testers commented that they liked having the ability to hook their thumbs over the lower bar in the drop as an extra bit of protection on technical descents, which made them feel safer descending on skittery gravel roads.
Components We Love
The 11-speed Shimano 105 shifting system offers clean and crisp shifting, and quite a good range of gears for hilly road rides and gravel ascents (a 34/50 chainring and an 11-32 cassette). The Shimano disc braking system (160mm rotors, S and M; 140mm, 2XS and XS) provides excellent stopping control. The Grail rolls on a DT Swiss C 1800 Spline DB aluminum wheelset, with aero spokes, wrapped in Schwalbe G-One Bite tires, which have a low enough rolling resistance that they won’t hold you back on the road, but enough grip for gravel corners. And for better handling, the 2XS and XS come with 650b wheels. Extra cushion from the ergospeed gel handlebar tape keeps your palms from chattering. The Selle Italia X1 Lady Flow saddle (very unfortunately named, IMO) on a Canyon seatpost, with 25mm of setback and a lower-than-usual seatpost clamp that increases the post’s bending length, means better in-the-saddle flexion for a less rigid ride.
Four Awesome Women’s Jerseys
Cool and Classic
Twin Six
Starla Jersey
Classic black with bold stars.
$84.95 | Competitive Cyclist
Buy Now
Bold and Bright
Craft
Belle Glow Jersey
A pop of color adds visibility.
$89.99 | Competitive Cyclist
Buy Now
Blurred Lines
Pearl Izumi Elite Pursuit Graphic Jersey
Sleek racing stripes.
$125 | Competitive Cyclist
Buy Now
Whimsical
Maloja OrensiaM. APO Jersey
Floral pattern and deep pockets.
$114.95 | Competitive Cyclist
Buy Now
Ride Impressions
This slender little bike can get (relatively) rowdy! I rode the Grail down a VERY washed-out gravel trail (like, jagged exposed rocks and giant ruts) and felt totally in control. I also sprinted through a puddle that was about 8 inches deep and 10 meters long, and it did not disappoint—the Grail has big-time traction in the wet and massive splash potential. I even successfully picked my way up some rooty singletrack. But where the Grail really shines is a couple of hours into the ride where you stitch all your favorite gravel sections together. On any ol’ bike, your shoulders and hands would likely be tired, and your butt would probably be sore. But the Grail isn’t any ol’ bike. It’s more forgiving than most models in its category. Rather than fatigued and rattled, you be comfortable and in good spirits. The Grail WMN CF SL 7.0 sits at a good price point, making it a great addition to your stable of bikes as a solid option for gravel races and adventure rides, as well as iffy winter road conditions. Wherever your adventure goes, the Grail is along for the ride.
