1000 Miles on the 2024 Canyon Grail

My long term thoughts on the 2024 Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2, Canyon’s gravel race bike
0:00 Intro
1:06 The Good Stuff
4:41 The Bad Stuff
6:29 Would I Buy It Again?
7:05 Bonus Descent

[@carlwh]

ONE MORE BIKE, ONE MORE BIKE

[@helloemile]

I have to say I really really appreciated this honest review, it felt very honest and true, without any pretence of knowing everything. Most other reviews leave you just as baffled because everyone is such an "expert". Keep going buddy, subscribed.

[@helloemile]

P.s: but just to add that I personally never feel weird taking Canyon to a bike shop, I think it might be just in your head. Most bike mechanics love working on Canyon's as they are generally pretty well made. Just because the shop sells a brand, doesn't mean they love it either.

[@fatcow1202]

My recommendation as someone who also went through a similar bike ordeal when it came to picking a gravel bike, ride this bike as much as you can, and treat it as an all arounder and it'll treat you great. But when the itch for the next bike comes, lean fully into an adventure gravel bike. I personally see my gravel bike as the bike I grab when I don't need it to be fast, I don't need it to have the perfect gear, I purely need it to be able to handle whatever I throw at it. So I went big clearance, steel frame, and a 1x setup with a massive dinner plate in the back for very low gearing. Then make your grail into a speed machine road bike. On the days you want to train and go fast, take the grail, on the days you want to just ride grab the gravel. Regardless, the Grail is a beautiful bike and I'm sure it's going to treat you great for years to come.

[@mr.z2618]

I have it 3weeks now. Did just 200km.The bike developed squeaky noise, i found it was headset break hose rubbing against the fork. There is foam insert on the hose and it just wears off. I put new foam insert and is gone. Coming from top road bike, I need to say is fast and very comfortable.

[@marrspulse]

Thanks for the video. So glad I bought the grizl after watching this. I already have an outdoor endurance road bike. This seems to be in between that and a gravel bike.

[@markandrews2222]

Speed wobbles are often associated with a misaligned frame (front & rear wheels not tracking when bars are straight), or really bad wheel dish (same tracking result). Frame misalignment happens more often with metal frames, but can happen with carbon too. Have a shop check both. I once developed a speed wobble on an Exxon Graftek bike in ’78; rode it straight to a bike shop to trade it in. Good luck in resolving this!

[@Kdash66]

Bro I felt the same way about buying a direct to consumer bike and bringing it to my local bike shop. The owners were totally cool about it and as long as people get on bikes, they'll still get business through maintenance and fixes.

[@chrisward2k]

Take it to a canyon certified bike shop if you can. Canyon have a list of their website. The bike shop get paid by canyon to fix warranty concerns. Everyone wins. They make money fixing bikes and most of the time canyon pays them for the work. Especially your speed wobble. Worth getting checked. My speedmax came with the headset completely fucked. Certainly not fixable by an average home mechanic like me. One trip to the shop, a few emails and canyon covered all repairs. Bike shop did a full build and safety check on the bike. All covered by canyon and they gave me some vouchers for the online shop as compensation. Everyone’s a winner.

[@Scott-ll2rl]

You can never have too many bikes... She'll forgive you

[@polakatl]

The creak you described is likely the seat post. Make sure there is a lot of carbon paste applied and crank it down to 7Nm. Canyon support approved this method. I was really bummed out about the creaks on my first ride. Haven't heard one in 400km

Speed wobble: in my case i loosened my grip of the bars, pressed thighs along the top tube - settled the wobble.

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

same here, I just wish it didn't happen in the first place. I like going fast.

[@valmorell]

Nice. Very fair to the bike. Speed wobble almost certainly the tyres. To the point with very little distraction. Thanks....

[@falcon55551]

I have the SL version. Squeeky noise is indeed in the headset rubber peace that is locted between the fork and the front part of the frame. Another knocky sound I have is in my seat post. I used the carbon fiber vaseline there and it helps but it comes back so regular lubing is key. I love this bike so far (650km ridden)

[@polakatl]

Crank the seat post down to 7Nm. It should not be making noise. Carbon paste and 7Nm did it for me and mine was loud. Even dropped down on hard bumps at the specified 5Nm

[@falcon55551]

@@polakatl many thanks I will try:)

[@oscarschenk]

You bought this bike as a commuter??? You’re nuts 😂😂

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

haha, I should have said "all-rounder." Most of my miles are commuting though.

[@RobbyRob1761]

Hi - great review... I have the same bike on order (albeit a 1 x)... Speed wobbles can be lots of different things but are usually down to the wheels not 'balanced' (a bit Like you get your car wheels balance) but you would never stick 'little weights' on your cycle rims! Are the tyres tubeless or do you have inner tubes (My advice would be go tubeless - it helps.) If you search youtube for cycle wheel balancing... there's a guy who shows you about wheel wobble/unbalanced wheels.... worth a watch... Enjoy!

[@MedvedActual]

Things like Unbound - that's pretty much the only gravel race I know...😂😂😂

[@VolodyaSenkiv]

What kind of pedals do you have? and are they good? I'm thinking of replacing my old shimano 520 and wondering what to choose

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

I have Garmin Rally XC200 pedals. they’re power meter pedals so they’re pretty expensive, but i love them.

[@polakatl]

Favero Assioma SPD are great with accurate power measurement, all the Garmin readings, and lower price than Garmin. GP Lama rated them highly

[@VolodyaSenkiv]

@@polakatl I think I need a model without a power meter

[@blck04gt]

Really good review! I already have an aero road bike-was on the fence between the Grail and Grizl. You helped me decide!

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

Glad I could help!

[@arnienz1962]

I just had the same thoughts and my Grail is on it's way now

[@samhunter6813]

69th like, that's new bike territory.

[@frienduro24]

Dude the tire clearance is 42 rear, 46 front. Says it on the Canyon website. That’s with the Canyon mud guards My 45 G one RS measures to 44.4.

[@VilleF]

Do you have 45 RS on the rear?

[@frienduro24]

@@VilleF Not yet. Waiting for the 40 rear to wear out.

[@juliocampos8416]

You should get that "speed wobble" thing checked out - something has to be off. Maybe your fork isn't properly preloaded? I have even knobbier tires on my gravel bike and I've never experienced such a thing and I've approached 50 mpg on some road descents.

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

Yeah I just need to swallow my pride and go to a true mechanic.

[@letolollers3729]

​@@sergioramirezsergioramirezthis is almost 100 percent a tire thing or the most unbalanced wheels in history, ive never had issues with Vittoria tires but my original schwalbe tires on my Grail wobbled at 45kmh or so, vittoria ones I had were fine and perfectly stable at 70-80 km/h and so are my Challenge Getaways

[@magharibo]

Sell it and buy that grizl ! It's the better bike cause it's more capable. The grail feels so niche, only if racing is your thing the bike fits you, imo! The grizl is more the explorer , slower, bit more comfy but for me feels more in doing everything right if you know what I mean

[@magharibo]

Also I really liked your style! Retro wave intro , subtil, but funny editing and the calm way of your honest opinion!

[@j03yl33]

Are you wearing a retainer?

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

def not. i should be though.

[@luv2run4ever]

I fit 45mm in the front and 40mm in the back.

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

hows the fit in the front? pretty tight or do you have some room?

[@Zorzek]

@@sergioramirezsergioramirez I believe that 42mm is max if you want to use the fenders. Without them a 45mm should fit just fine.

[@mr.z2618]

@@ZorzekThis! I found it in UK bike review blog, popular one like “Bike Test” etc. The 42 mm is only if you want to use fenders 45mm is maximum without fenders.

[@ItsMeHammie]

Nice bike, but I hate those stems/handlebars. Something about the bike as a whole is just too characterless and clean for me

[@itsjeffreyab]

I had a Grail for 5,000 miles.. it started falling apart around 2,000 miles. Everything that was glued on.. sudden wasn't haha

[@bioches]

For example?

[@MaxwellPowers666]

The fact that the bike accepts up to 42mm tires is an absolute disgrace. I'm sure you can stuff 45's in there but not left with much clearance for mud. Several of the pros at Unbound ran MTB tires that measured 55mm. For that I think this bike will be obsolete as the trend for larger tires will grow. But for most punters 42's would be enough.

[@arnienz1962]

MVDP used a Grizl for the gravel world champs too. But unless you're racing in muddy conditions i don't think you need to worrry

[@frienduro24]

The clearance is 46 Front and 42 Rear with mud guards. Says it clearly on the Canyon site. The actual clearance is closer to 45.

[@MaxwellPowers666]

I have a Grizl. It's so fun. With room for 50mm tires and a more slack geo than the grail I find the Grizl so incredibly versatile. The same cannot be said for the ultra specific Grail. The fact you have a road bike makes me wonder why you bought such a race oriented gravel bike when racing is clearly not your vibe. Not that there's anything wrong with that

[@sergioramirezsergioramirez]

That's the thing, this is my "do it all" bike, apologies if I wasn't totally clear, I don't have a road bike. and yeah, I love me some slack geometry.

[@MaxwellPowers666]

@@sergioramirezsergioramirez I guess I don't understand buying a do it all bike if you already have a road bike. It would make sense if the Grail was your only bike. I feel theirs is too much cross over between the two bikes. The Grizl would allow you to access much more terrain with greater control by way of a larger volume tire and slacker geo. It just feels more logical to buy two bikes at the opposite ends of the spectrum. I enjoyed the video either way.

[@frienduro24]

Well you can’t run a big chain ring on the Grizl due to the 50mm tire clearance. It’s designed for back packing. The frame is heavier and not aero That’s why the grail max is 45. It’s a race bike and fit up to 52T chain ring

[@bioches]

Bet the creaking is from the bottom bracket

[@frienduro24]

Dude the tire clearance is 42 rear, 46 front. Says it on the Canyon website. That’s with the Canyon mud guards My 45 G one RS measures to 44.4.