Canyon Grail AL 7.0 SL in bikepacking review

The Canyon Grail AL 7.0 SL is one of our most tested bikes. After awarding it the Best Buy in our last gravel bike group test, it now has to prove itself as a bikepacking rig. Does the Grail AL have everything it takes for big adventures?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best bikepacking bike in review

**Canyon** Grail AL 7.0 SL | 9.24 kg in size M | Manufacturer’s website

The Canyon Grail AL 7.0 SL is something of a modern gravel bike classic and the perfect choice for gravel fans who aren’t yet ready to commit to the bikepacking scene. With its harmonious colours and fresh look, it definitely scores in the style department! For € 1,799 you get a complete 1×11 SRAM Rival groupset, rattle-free internally routed cables and high-quality DT Swiss C1850 SPLINE DB wheels. The maximum tire clearance of 700 x 40C and the rather rudimentary quality of the weld seams are compromises that you should be aware of, though you get a lot of bike for your money!

While the Canyon FK0070 CF disc carbon fork doesn’t have any mounting points, the frameset has bosses for a total of three bottle cages and eyelets for mudguards. Compared to the 2019 model, which we awarded the Best Buy in our 2020 gravel bike group test, the current model no longer offers the option of mounting a rack. If you decide on a Grail AL, be aware of some peculiarities in the sizing. The size M bike we tested was a good fit for our test riders measuring between 1.77 and 1.84 metres tall, when they would usually go with L frames from other manufacturers.

**Too big**
You’ll be cursing the chainring on steep climbs while hauling all of your luggage with tired legs on the third day of your trip. The 42 t chainring on the Canyon is far too big given the gear range of the cassette.

**Good deal**
For € 1,799 you get a complete 1×11 SRAM Rival groupset and solid spec overall

**Turn a blind eye**
Don’t inspect the weld seams too closely. There’s room for improvement here.

**Bolt it on**
You’ll find additional bottle cage bosses hidden under the down tube

Canyon Grail AL 7.0 SL

€ 1,749

Specifications

Seatpost Canyon SP0043 VCLS CF
Brakes SRAM Rival 1 HRD 160/160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM Rival 1 42 (10–42)
Stem Canyon V13 80 mm
Handlebar Canyon HB 0050 Ergobar AL 440 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss C 1850 SPLINE DB
Tires Schwalbe G-One Bite 40C

Technical Data

Size 2XS, XS S M L XL 2XL
Weight 9.24 kg
Wheelsize 700C

Specific Features

compatible with fenders
bosses underneath the down tube

**Revelate Designs**
Sweetroll (18 l, € 139.99) | Yakataga Dry Pocket (4.3 l, € 169.99)
Tangle Frame Bag (3.5 l, € 129.99) | Saddle Bag (14 l, € 209.99)

Size	2XS	XS	S	M	ML	XL	2XL
Seat tube	432 mm	462 mm	492 mm	522 mm	552 mm	582 mm	612 mm
Top tube	516 mm	531 mm	555 mm	577 mm	591 mm	616 mm	631 mm
Head tube	117 mm	133 mm	124 mm	143 mm	169 mm	190 mm	209 mm
Head angle	70.0°	71.0°	70.8°	72.3°	72.5°	72.8°	72.8°
Seat angle	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
BB Drop	60 mm	60 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm
Chainstay	415 mm	415 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm
Wheelbase	984 mm	990 mm	1,027 mm	1,035 mm	1,047 mm	1,070 mm	1,085 mm
Reach	364 mm	373 mm	390 mm	405 mm	412 mm	431 mm	440 mm
Stack	514 mm	533 mm	556 mm	579 mm	605 mm	626 mm	644 mm

Still the Holy Grail for gravel fans who don’t want to pigeonhole themselves. However, this bike lacks the comfort needed for one of the top spots in our bikepacking group test.

**Helmet** KASK PROTONE | **Glasses** Oakley Wind Jacket 2.0 | **Jersey** Pas Normal Studios Mechanism
**Shorts** Pas Normal Studios Mechanism | **Socks** Giro HRC Team | **Shoes** Giro Republic LX Reflective

The 9.24 kg (size M) Grail AL 7.0 SL feels lively and direct as you accelerate. Even with all of your luggage, the torsionally stiff Canyon is a good sprinter. However, exactly that stiffness is its undoing on rough climbs. It tends to lose traction in these situations and interrupts your rhythm while climbing. However, on compact and flat surfaces, it offers all the more efficiency and carries its momentum well. As in the gravel bike group test, the handling of the Grail AL offers a good balance between agility and composure even when you’ve strapped on all of your bags. Its handling remains precise and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face even on winding paths, as long as the terrain is reasonably smooth.

The SRAM Rival brakes perform well, instilling you with confidence, and their comparatively large hoods also offer a secure grip for your hands in case things get wet and slick. The little bit of comfort that the bike offers is owed in large part to the Schwalbe tires. Unfortunately, the comfort quickly reaches its limits and isn’t enough for extended gravel expeditions. Due to its stiffness, the Grail AL is one of the bikes on test that was least affected by heavy payloads but that comes at the cost of its long-distance suitability.

Tuning tips: suspended stem and seat post for more comfort | careful route planning

Conclusion

The Canyon Grail AL 7.0 SL is a great entry-level gravel bike and a good all-rounder. It isn’t phased by heavy payloads and scores for its balanced handling. Due to its lack of comfort, you’ll do better staying on compact gravel roads and asphalt when planning the route for your next bikepacking adventure. For multisport fans, fair-weather riders and beginners, it’s an excellent gravel all-rounder offering good value for money. However, it’s not the bike you buy if all you want to do is bikepacking.

Tops

top spec for the money
braking performance
good gravel all-rounder

Flops

lacking comfort
lacking mounting points
some welds look rudimentary
chainring too big

For more info head to canyon.com.

The test field