Canyon Grail CF vs. Canyon Grail AL - Or, "Which Canyon Grail is Right for Me?"

[@arneclaes]

One of the better bike reviews I've seen! I like the honesty about the budget versus the weight saved. Would loved to see some more footages about riding the bike, but this review is already spot on!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks!

[@MrFingers127]

I have the AL 7.0 (GRX), the wife has the CF SL (Ultegra). To be fair, while I absolutely adore the look of the CF model, and that hoverbar is an engineering masterpiece, I find the AL to be the better bike in terms of handling and versatility (I do own a roadbike, so it is solely used for ripping up unpaved stuff), as well as being able to swap out the handlebars for something else (ultra-flared gravelbars for instance), with the CF you're kind of stuck with the Canyon-proprietary hoverbar, with no other manufacturers making it. As I had a VCLS-seatpost laying around, I installed that on the AL, and while it indeed cushions and smooths out the buzz, it is a bit too bendy for my taste, making it feel like I'm having either a cracked frame or a flat tire. Then the money is better spend on keeping he original rigid post and invest in a decent saddle (which is not that stock Selle Italia X1 nutcrusher) for increased comfort, with an added plusside of not having that "loosey" feeling in the rear, which is a huge plus when climbing (no more bobbing up & down) or for a firmly rooted seating when descending more technical stuff. That being said, they are both amazing bikes for the money (especially the AL-version), and even the stock DT Swiss wheels completely puts the stock wheels other brands often supply to shame.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Totally agree on the DT wheels. I had to stop and tap them to see if they were aluminum or carbon! They're shockingly good.

[@venox48]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews even on grail AL ?

[@CyclingDoggo]

Most useful review I've seen about grail bikes! Thnx !

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

you're welcome!

[@soyo23]

Great informative and unbiased video which is worth Gold these days! Ordered an AL 7.0 2021 in January, should be getting it by May and your review was pretty much my decision maker. Thank you sir and looking forwards to more content. Cheers!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Nice! Glad to hear it!! I’m thinking about picking up one of the sale frames...🤔

[@soyo23]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews just the waiting is excruciating 😂! Cheers and hope you can get one quicker. Cheers, Pedro

[@kerbodynamicx472]

I wonder what's the difference between Grail 6 and 7?

[@arturogonzalez658]

It’s the Grizl. AL a good choice for rough pavement . I mostly do roads. Looking for comfort , not interested in watts or cadence. Fitness it’s my goal. I am 50 years old. I do30 Miles 3X per week. Had a road bike with25mm tires and it was brutal. Felt every bump on the road. . The AL is $1;899 and the CF it’s $2;599. The AL has Better drive train

[@guillermocamachobarajas3517]

Great review man! I was torn between the two and finally chose the cf sl 8.0 and have not turned back. Yes, the extra grand hurt but it has made it up by the hover bar giving me different hand placements to rest, on the tops when cruising, hoods, drops and even getting used to the thumb position more every time. I like that it encourages me to bend my elbow a bit and that gives me a break on my arms, hands and lower back. I grew up playing with a chip on my shoulder in multiple sports so all the beating up has taken a toll and cycling is my way of keeping my body going. I agree that saddle definitely licks and has to go! The ride is great and has the 40's relieve me of staring at the road so much that I was missing the scenery. I am a very happy rider! Thanks again!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

I'm so sorry I haven't replied sooner - I literally just saw this comment! They sometimes get lost in my notifications. BUT, that gives you the chance to share a long term review with the crowd. How's it going 11 months later? Still love it??

[@TechTraction]

Super helpful review. Very well balanced. Hoping to grab the Grail AL 7.0 once they become available.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

I think there are a few Grails available in their outlet right now

[@mach2009]

Amazing video! Exactly what I’m looking into. Waiting on a grail al etap, only one in stock.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

IN STOCK?? Lucky!

[@mach2009]

It somehow was in stock, canyon listed 3 or 4 of them in size M. I luckily grabbed one right away. Now I have to decide if the grail will work for me or if I should wait for the grzil to be in stock.

[@BadTanLines]

"Oh wow it's the guy who made all the good competitive cyclist videos all those years ago!" I miss your reviews over there but I'm glad to have found you again. Keep up the good work!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

thanks man! I’m glad we found each other again after all these years 🤣

[@kevinthomson6324]

Great review have watched it twice now. Canyon is finally coming to Canada so in a few months I can add them to my list of perspective bikes. Have liked the idea of the canyon grail al for a while now but have had no way to purchase it. Other bikes I’ve been looking at are the giant contend ar1, a aluminum giant revolt, a devinchi hatchet also looks promising. Most of the other options are either too expensive or not available at my variety of local bike shops.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

nice! the HQ is about 50 miles from my house, right on the water.

[@yu-hsientu7907]

Great helpful review. Could you give me a suggestion which bike should I choose? 1. Grail 7 AL with Sram Rivalen eTap for 2199€, Does eTap Worth for extra 400€? 2. Grail 7 AL for 1799€ and I have some more budget for other update. 3. Grail 7 SL for 2499€ with cool hoverbar and nice saddle. But a little bit over my budget.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Happy to help, but I need to understand more about you as a rider, and the terrain you encounter. Could you elaborate on how the bike will be used?

[@ebschaf]

Great review, Andy!!!! Missing you, bud!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks, Ed! Come down here and see us sometime.

[@MrTheSkiper]

Great review! Some great new views of grail bike that you point out. I own grail AL 7.0 SL, I think very light for AL bike and efficient only downside for me is bad compliance. I like your thinking of doing rides of some paved road than continued to fire roads where you would have to turn back with road bike or some fire roads that I never ride before because it was not fun to do all the paved before coming to fire road with my second bike Canyon LUX CF SL 7.0. My thinking is also that is very cheap, light and low maintance comparing vs mtb for gravel riding. Ofc mtb is a lot more fun on trails where with grail is absolutly no go, but if you ride grail roads mostly this is the bike!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Try it with the VCLS post - it's what's missing from the stock build and sounds like the added compliance you're looking for!

[@MrTheSkiper]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews Hmm good idea, tnx. I know official tire clerance is 42c, but I am thinkig to try Maxxis rambler 45c. If 45c would go and VCLS split seatpost I would probably get some more compliance out of this bike.

[@gencimeraj2115]

So... hear me out... I have an AL version of Grail 7 eTap with upgraded carbon wheels (back up bike for gravel, goofing around, and why not), and just for fun I put on some road GP5000 tires on it today... and now my whole world is turned upside down! I did this quick 20 mile local route that I'm very familiar with as a get out of the house thingy, and I crap you not when I say that I averaged over 1 mph faster than "normal" and the entire time felt more comfortable/relaxed/in complete control than ever. I really don't know what to make if it!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

It’s a badass bike, no doubt about it.

[@gencimeraj2115]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews 100%. I know it's probably more to do with my legs getting a week off and being completely fresh, but the bike is legit. Definitely the right bike for someone not looking to spend a lot and only have 1 do-it-all bike.

[@benzen1128]

Awesome review, has been debating between these two bikes for the last couple months What’s your take on 1X on road(which canyon offers on grail cf and al)

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Benjamin Zen I’m a huge 1x fan. I’ve got Rival 1x with 42 x 11/32 on two of my road bikes, and love it even more for gravel because it keeps the chain on one ring, and keeps shifting simple when you need it to be.

[@yules_3000]

Had the same thought when I got the AL. Decided to go for the 105 version because I needed the range and smaller gearing gaps. So depending on your style. If you mostly ride off road it works perfect. Also - Shimano and Sram shifters have a different feel so also depending on your riding style and taste. IMO the GRX AL is a great option for both on and off road.

[@MrTheSkiper]

I ride gravel AL 7.0 SL 1x11 Sram Rival 38T oval chainring for gravel roads it is perfect! I try road tires and it is ok, I can do most rides normaly. Probably if I would like to push realy hard specialy on flats I would miss road grupset.

[@yules_3000]

@Steve King relaxed but still a bit long. I would suggest using their sizing wizard at the site to figure out your size. (I'm 6'1" and M)

[@thepb77777]

Thank you. And...what about the GRAIL: ON? That’s a total adventure 😜

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

That's a whole other video!

[@jameshoey303]

Great review really well presented good content...you have a new subscriber

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks!!

[@raffica26]

Hi, thxs for the vid. What is your opinion on choosing a Di2 shift version of the CF instead of the GRX RX810. I guess you tested the latter. Thxs

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

raffica26 if it’s in the budget, Di2 is definitely better!

[@ramezy04]

Great review. I have a 2020 Giant Revolt 2 AL and it’s going up for sale the min. I can get my hands on a Grail ✊🏽🤘🏼

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Ramezy R nice!!

[@pietrodamelio1416]

Hi Andy - by now you’ve got me into the dogmaF8 and have never regretted it, and I just recently acquired the grail Al 7 with the GRX 2x as I am going to ride the Camino from the St Jean pied de port to Santiago ~520 miles and almost 30k’ elevation. Question for you, what set of tires do you recommend ? Also a buddy of mine recommend a MTB 1 x12 drivetrain, which I am not too sure about… any suggestions I would greatly appreciate.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Great to hear it! I’m reluctant to make any tire recommendations because I don’t know the terrain. But it sounds like something tubeless with a strong sidewall is a good place to start. IRC and Kenda make some durable tires for these kind of applications

[@pietrodamelio1416]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews thanks for the reply. Check out the Camino de Santiago, it starts in the south of France through the Pyrenees and all through northern Spain. Mostly done as a pilgrimage, however for me and my wife is an adventure.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

@@pietrodamelio1416 will do, sounds amazing!

[@pietrodamelio1416]

@@AndyClarkRealReviewscompleted the Camino de Santiago. Tubeless Pathfinders did it. The entire ride was 550 miles and 40k’ elevation. We did it in 9 days. It was epic. My grail was spectacular, my wife was on a grizl suspension both with GRX 2 x 11.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

@@pietrodamelio1416 wow! You spelled EPIC wrong, though - that one deserves ALL CAPS!!! Congrats.

[@billbader2263]

Thank you ❤

[@yules_3000]

Got the 105 AL when it came out. Probably the best bike for the $ you could ever buy.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Yuval Leshem Agree! It looks beautiful, too.

[@edgarpetyke7468]

Just found your channel! Thanks for the great review...it really touches what I am looking for. Want to buy a Gravel bike to have a sort of a „can do it all“ option (for mountain region, road+climb+unpaved, but no downhill) and have three options: 1. Canyon Grail cf sl 8.0 Di2 2. Canyon Grail cf sl 8.0 3. Cube nuroad c:62 SL Any good tips on the decision? Thanks. Br. Edgar

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Go with #1 or #2!

[@edgarpetyke7468]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews thanks! :-)

[@hansdegebruiker1968]

What instead of the AL the 7 CF? With seat post and hover bar? I ordered that one, coming 5th of November. Calculated a bit and could get it from 8.4 (L) to 7.5 with 1700 Euro.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Sorry, I don't understand the question.

[@hansdegebruiker1968]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews you have made a comparison between the 8 cf and the al version. You made a calculation. The grail 7 cf is a bit cheaper. So more affordable. I’m a bit crazy, I wanted the 8 carbon but sold out. Now I get the 7 and I know myself I will slowly upgrade it till it’s very expensive but very light.

[@garyfung229]

I've been looking at these for a while now, great video! I'm 5"10 with a 31"inseam, wondering what would be your suggestion in size?

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks! I’d recommend giving Canyon a call to help you with sizing. IMO sizing is a complex process and it’s impossible to get it right in the comments section on a KZbin video 😉

[@95cv95]

Hey Andy, was the bike true tonsuze or does it run large? I'm a newbie and was suggested by friends to get the al 7.0 sl in a 2xl. Your thoughts ?

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

95cv95 Welcome to your new addiction! So...I really think “True to size” is an over-used misnomer in the world of bike fit because geometry charts don’t lie (if you know how to read them) And most new riders don’t! I’d say that If you’re unsure then I would give Canyon a call to help guide you.

[@cliffordhughes67]

I'm 5' 7" and ride an Endurace in xs if that helps. I initially thought a small was my size, but after putting my dimensions into a calculator on their site, I came out at a frame size xs. It's a really good fit for me.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Moo Moo it’s really hard to fit a bike via KZbin comments 😜. Do us both a favor and call the kids at Canyon if you’re unsure of your size.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Steve King yes, it’s always better to know your size before you start shopping.

[@mattmacpherson1033]

Well done, informative and snappy.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Matt MacPherson Snappy is better than snippy! 🤣 Thanks, man.

[@mattmacpherson1033]

I probably have been watching too many Brit videos lately. Seems to be a word they use quite often.😂😂😂

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

@@mattmacpherson1033 "value for money" is another one they seem to use a lot. Grail AL def fits that bill!

[@bennetthasty7886]

Im waiting on a Canyon Grail AL 7 with GRX can’t wait - 5 whole lbs lighter than my steel Salsa Vaya

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Love it!!

[@zoroasteriadog]

Hey andy. Why enve 45s with the 40mm schwalbe though. Isn’t the enve designed for 28mm tires? From a one bike two wheelset lens: why not maintain the dt swiss stock for the gravel rides, and the enve 45s on a 28mm slick for the road rides. Would that be ideal you think?

[@zoroasteriadog]

Great review by the way. My grail is coming tomorrow and hoping to make it my one and only bike. Your review helped me heaps in making a decision. I’ve also got the vcls 2 seat post ready!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

To put it simply: because aero matters on gravel, too, and the 45’s can accommodate a wide array of tires. They’re not just for road.

[@levireyes3877]

Last week I ordered the Grail AL 7, then I changed my order to Grail CF 7 and I was really excited about it. After watching your video, I'm kind of wanting to go back to Grail AL 7. I'm so confused. Please help me here.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

You’re good! Stick with the CF. Hard to go wrong with either one

[@DJ88in2003]

Review suggestion: can you do a comparison between a BMC slr 01 and slr 02 ? or between the Felt FRD and Felt advanced; or between Cannondale hi mod vs non hi mod? just curious if it is true, that the latest models feel as stiff and aero and the only difference is weight - thanks!!!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Man, I’d love to. Does anyone out there have connections at any of those companies? I don’t know anyone at Felt or Cdale, but I might be able to swing BMC.

[@kerbodynamicx472]

I'm a high school cyclist, meaning I don't have enough budget to get something like a CF SL 8, or any of the SLX series. I have to decide between the AL 6 and AL 7, since the AL 6 is a good deal cheaper, and share many core components such as brakes, frame and wheels, is it a better value than the AL 7?

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

The 6.0 looks like the best value across the board, even versus other brands. Go for it!

[@kerbodynamicx472]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews Thanks for the advice! But unfortunately here in Australia, all the popular models like AL6/7 and CF SL 7/8 have been sold out… waiting for next year 😔

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

@@kerbodynamicx472 Find a good used cyclocross bike with Ultegra or Rival instead!

[@WhenThingsGoSouthNJ]

Great video!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Trent G thanks, man!

[@83dsvhtubb]

I thought the enve foundation wheels are not made for gravel.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Maybe not, but they take to it like a duck to water!

[@hameed]

The grail 8.0 CF is impossible to get in the US, bummer

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

hameed no way! I thought they had some coming in October?

[@hameed]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews latest estimates im seeing are jan 2021

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

hameed ughhhh. Totally worth the wait, though!

[@hameed]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews i believe it, goin with a giant revolt advanced 2 though!

[@frescogelato]

I'm interested in buying a Canyon Grail AL 7.0 (shimano grx). I have two questions: - Should I buy the 1-by version or the 2-by? Some consideration that I should now ? - Wich size should i pick? I'm 183 cm in height, inseam 90 cm, weight 83 kg.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

I would strongly recommend contacting Canyon directly about sizing. With regard to 1X, could you tell me more about your typical rides and the topography of your local roads and trails?

[@blazacrew]

7:40 .... nice shot

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks! It was my first time using my drone. Much harder than I thought.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

good vid though

[@jeremiahbishopswheelhouse]

Got to send me that route! ;)

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

strava.app.link/zvypXH6RNdb Boom!!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

I’d recommend starting in Temecula on a cool day and a taco stop at the bottom of Palomar. Be careful descending 371, too.

[@abastabul9115]

Scary.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

SCHWAL-BE??? its pronounced like 'shwab'

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Good to know. FWIW I’d pronounce your last name as “fled-gee” 🤣

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

@@AndyClarkRealReviews Correct. Americans tend to get their pronunciation wrong but in this case you nailed it.

[@orbit6881]

@@BoomsRiddico4868 it’s a German brand and it is pronounced schwalbe