Canyon Grail CF SLX Di2 - Unboxing & Assembly Guide

[@cbfowler]

G'day mate, thanks for sharing your nice video. I've recently purchased the Canyon CFR Grail Di2 and I'm now looking for where to charge my battery. One thing I noted in your video is that you said that the bike doesn't come with any manuals. I just wanted to let you know that in my case, I found the manual on the Canyon website when I logged in, however it is in German language and then I just checked my Canyon app on my phone (I'm also registered and logged in there) and Bingo... I found the manual in English. Anyway, yeah, I've still got to do a little more "hunting" to find the charge port on my Canyon Grail CFR Di2. I'll hopefully get there soon. Cheers. :-)

[@thomasmuler2452]

Tip for saddle rotation: Remove the saddle and clamps, take an allen key with round ends and a hammer and tap out the rotation clamps from the inside.

[@SingleDaySummits]

That's clever! I definitely didn't think of that, so thank you for sharing!

[@thomasmuler2452]

@@SingleDaySummits I found it in a youtube video. 🤣👍

[@cocledocle]

Can you share this video?

[@thomasmuler2452]

@@cocledocle kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZXEqIFnnt2gr5o 😎💪

[@thomasmuler2452]

@@cocledocle kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZXEqIFnnt2gr5o 😎💪

[@imola8]

Nice and relaxing video. I received my grail just recently and i am absolutely in love with this bike❤ Had the same issue with the seat clamps. I tried to loosen the saddle and use it as a lever to tilt the saddle, which worked out but felt i had to apply inapropriate force. I then tried a lot and found the easiest way is to slightly pry out the inserts with an allen key. They just pop off very easily. Have fun with your grail. Its an awesome machine.

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thanks for the kind words! Also wishing you some great rides with the Grail!

[@martinkuca2151]

Thank you @imola8, slightly prying the inserts out has worked for me too!

[@Arnklars]

When charging the rear derailleur, does that charge the same battery as when charged from the handlebar unit ? I'm interested in this bike and a little confused about the electronics. It seems as if you can change shiftmodes from both rear derailleur and handlebar unit. Regards Lars, Denmark

[@SingleDaySummits]

You only ever charge one battery with this setup - and that battery is charged through the handlebar port. I've also only ever changed shift modes from the handlebar unit, and never from either derailleur. To be honest, I'm not sure if it's possible to change shift modes from the derailleur itself, but I'm also not an expert, so it could be possible, and I just don't know about it. But all the videos I've seen, you change the shift modes from the same button near the charging port on the right handlebar.

[@kofibamfosampong7655]

You Great Video and Insight

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thank you for watching!

[@pgmjsd]

It won’t let you “cross chain”. That’s good, and good to know.

[@SingleDaySummits]

Yes! Luckily the bike is smarter than I am!

[@razerededge9528]

Hello. Do you think the xl is the correct size? I’m buying soon and am unsure about size. I’m 6 ‘3” w/ 35” inseam. Do you think a large would be too small?

[@SingleDaySummits]

Personally, I think it's the correct size, but best to check the charts that Canyon provides, and if possible, test one yourself. I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and the XL is a great fit for me. I have long arms and legs, but the saddle height is more than enough, and the reach on this bike is already decently long, so I don't have any problems :)

[@DavidDorling-Evans]

Hi there. Did your tires come set-up to run tubeless out of the box or did they come with inner tubes?

[@SingleDaySummits]

Out of the box, the bike comes with tubes. The wheels are "tubeless-ready", but the bike ships with tubes pre-installed.

[@DavidDorling-Evans]

@@SingleDaySummits thanks

[@justinjewell1043]

Awesome post-assembly rundown! I'm considering a switch form the old Di2 Grail to the new Force AXS and was curious what that top tube mount frame protector is? Looks like it fits pretty accurately. Did Canyon throw in a few frame protector stickers with the bike? I know they used to but my old Grail didn't come with any and obviously doesn't even have top tube mounts haha. If not, do you mind sharing where you got it? Also, I noticed you have the bolts installed for the Fidlock frame bag. Do you think frame protectors will be necessary in that area or is there a decent amount of space between the bag and frame? Thanks again for the great vid!

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thanks! To answer your questions: - The top tube frame protector actually came with the Canyon Top Tube bag, not the bike. It fits precisely because of that. They actually include two sets of frame protector stickers - one if you want to mount the bag with the internal screws (what I installed), and another if you want to mount the bag with the straps. - Great question about the Fidlock frame bag. I honestly hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it. It's hard to tell how much space there is between the bag and the frame because it mounts to the bolts. But what I can say is that the bag definitely doesn't move around while riding. The only scratching potential would be when removing/installing the bag before or after a ride. But I'm not sure if Canyon or anyone else makes anything to mitigate that potential contact point.

[@justinjewell1043]

​@@SingleDaySummits Appreciate it! I've got a top tube mini bag from them and totally forgot they included frame protection. Just gotta figure out what I did with it haha. Btw the only reason I asked about the Fidlock is that I know for a fact that Canyon's matte black paint rubs shiny super easy. I had my current Grail in the trunk of the car for a few hours with the fork nestled against the padded interior and the vibration of driving rubbed a bunch of permanent shiny spots on it. That's how "delicate" the matte paint they use is. Literally the first trip I'd taken to race the thing haha. In any case enjoy that awesome bike and, if I may, how did you get that color with Di2? I'm guessing you're not in the states...

[@SingleDaySummits]

​@@justinjewell1043 Ah good to know about the matte black paint - thanks for the tip! This is my first and only Canyon, so I don't have any experience with any of that unfortunately. And yes, regarding the color - I live in Germany. I had no idea this color wasn't available everywhere until I posted some photos on Reddit, and other people asked the same question. I think the cream/sand color is also really sweet though. Kinda wish there were even more color options, but it is what it is haha.

[@korp57]

Hello! Thanks for this unboxing! Are you satisfied with the Grail? I'm still hesitating between a carbon Grail and an aluminum Grizl. I'm told that carbon remains fragile, what do you think? :)

[@SingleDaySummits]

I love it so far! This is not my first carbon bike btw, I also have a Cube Nuroad C:62...and to be fully honest with you, I've never had any problems with either. I ride pretty hard, and I also suck at riding, so I tend to fall and/or run into things. I've never had any damage to my frames. Personally, I think that people worry too much about the "fragility" of carbon. That being said, I think both aluminum and carbon are great options. Just depends what kind of riding you like doing. The Grizl is also an amazing bike! If I didn't have my Cube, that would definitely be my "endurance/bikepacking" bike while the Grail remains the "racer" :)

[@korp57]

@@SingleDaySummits thanks a lot for your answer 😉

[@poztal77]

very cool video!

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thank you!

[@tohidfla]

i am wondering if i should buy this bike or an e-bike if i want to keep for many years. around me there is not much mountains to climb but e-bike gives a better range for travel and leisure. considering this is in price range of an ebike.

[@yukiko_5051]

You can't keep an e bike for many years. Their battery can't last long

[@jessezarate6571]

Hey curious did you weigh bike after assembly? Cool vid thanks?

[@SingleDaySummits]

Unfortunately I don't have a scale to weigh it so I haven't :( - but it's incredibly light! Way lighter than my carbon-frame endurance gravel bike even (Cube Nuroad C:62 Pro).

[@manticore2166]

Can you slam the stem without cutting the fork?

[@SingleDaySummits]

No I really don't think so unfortunately. In general, the cockpit especially is quite hard to modify due to all the Canyon proprietary parts..

[@imola8]

Yes you can slam the stem about 2cm. Remove the spacers and put them on top of the cockpit. Looks not good but you can try the position before you cut the fork.

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Are these wheels safe to ride with tubes? They are tubeless no?

[@SingleDaySummits]

Hi there - the bike comes with tubes actually, but it is marketed as "tubeless-ready". I am personally riding it with tubes still, but if I want to go tubeless someday, it should be able to handle that according to Canyon.

[@Eirikkinserdal]

But they are hookless. As tubes rsquire higher pressures, the risk is that the tire pops off the rim

[@SingleDaySummits]

@@Eirikkinserdal I'm unfortunately too much of a noob with bike mechanics to confirm/deny, but you're probably right. The only thing I can say is that after riding roughly 1,500km with tubes on the Grail, I haven't had any issues with the tubes or the tires. Doesn't mean it won't happen though. In any case, thanks for bringing it up - I'm going to do some more research because I'm curious about that hookless point you brought up. Maybe it's time to switch to tubeless :)

[@mr.z2618]

Does the wheels comes tubeless?

[@SingleDaySummits]

They are "tubeless-ready", but out of the box, the wheels come with tubes.

[@9023gregb]

What size did you order?

[@SingleDaySummits]

This is a size XL frame :)

[@dortadamas]

Nice video

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thank you!!

[@casparlett488]

whats the verdict, would you recommend it?

[@SingleDaySummits]

I would most definitely recommend it! For me, it took some getting used to because it’s my first experience with Di2 and electronic shifting in general, but the learning curve wasn’t huge. I’m still getting used to the “stiffness” of it because it is a race-oriented frame set, but I certainly don’t regret going in that direction. I’ve taken it on a number of trips since, and have never been disappointed.

[@victordub]

cross chaining less efficent.. big ring small cogs more efficent

[@SingleDaySummits]

Thanks! I just did some research on the concept and it makes sense!

[@filipholzer5837]

this is size L?

[@SingleDaySummits]

It’s a size XL actually. For reference, I’m 193cm tall.

[@rossgraham3073]

@@SingleDaySummitsI have a 34.5 inseam and canyon recommended l or xl. When I called them they said large would be their recommendation. Scared I ordered too small a bike

[@SingleDaySummits]

@@rossgraham3073 I'm not a sizing expert, but I hope it works for you! Overall proportions are important too though. Ex. I have really long legs and arms, so the Xl fits me quite perfectly. But someone with my height but different proportions might fit with the L a lot better. Did you get the bike yet? What do you think on the fit?