The rumour mill has been working overtime in recent weeks. Social media has been buzzing with photos of a souped-up Canyon Grail that, at least from the front, barely resembled the current race-focused gravel bike from the Koblenz-based brand. Grabbing most of the attention was a suspension fork we’d never seen before—sporting a mysterious “Canyon Engineered by DT Swiss” logo and a bold, performance-driven design that turned more than a few heads.
So what is it then? Just a new fork? A fresh take on gravel race geometry? Or an entirely new bike altogether? To get to the bottom of this German-Swiss collaboration and to see how the fork—and the latest Canyon Grail—perform in full-on race mode, we took it straight to where race gravel bikes feel most at home: Girona, at The Traka 100.
What’s actually new? – A closer look at the Canyon Grail CFR Rift
The hype was real and expectations were high. Was Canyon really about to launch an entirely new race gravel bike less than two years after the current model hit the market? The short answer: no.
Our hopes for a redesigned frame with significantly more tyre clearance at the rear were—unfortunately—not fulfilled. The Grail CFR Rift uses exactly the same frame as the rest of the current Grail line-up, which means you’re still limited to a maximum rear tyre clearance of 42 mm.
That does restrict your tyre options, but it hardly narrows the Grail’s intended use. Both the frame and seatpost continue to deliver an impressive level of comfort, even over long, rough stages. The only real drawback is in sticky mud, where the tight clearance around the rear tyre can quickly become a problem. Get unlucky and you might find yourself pulling over mid-race to clear out a clogged rear end. So far, then, nothing new on that front.
Apart from the suspension fork, the Canyon Grail CFR Rift mirrors the current Grail CFR Di2 spec. It comes equipped with Shimano’s brand-new GRX 825 Di2 2×12 drivetrain, 50 mm deep DT Swiss GRC1100 wheels, and Canyon’s tried-and-tested CP0047 Pro cockpit. The build quality remains top-tier—as you’d expect—but now there’s a striking new feature up front, a bit of extra weight overall, and a higher price tag to match.
Since we already put the Canyon Grail CFR through a detailed test when it launched in 2023, we’re keeping this review focused on one thing: the features and performance of the new suspension fork. If you’re after a full riding impression of the Canyon Grail CFR, you’ll find it here.
A look under the hood – The DT Swiss F 132 ONE in detail
So what exactly is this new fork bringing to the gravel game? Who developed it—and is it really exclusive to the Canyon Grail CFR?
By partnering with DT Swiss, Canyon have brought some serious suspension expertise on board. The Swiss firm is a household name in the mountain biking world, renowned for their precise and reliable suspension components. Now, with the launch of the F 132 ONE air suspension fork, DT Swiss are stepping into uncharted territory—developing their first-ever suspension fork specifically for Canyon’s drop-bar bikes.
At least for now, that exclusivity is locked in: the fork will be available only on Canyon models until the end of 2025. From 2026, it’s set to appear on other brands’ bikes too.
So what have the Swiss engineers been working on for the past four years? According to DT Swiss, they started from scratch—designing a suspension fork tailored specifically to the demands of modern gravel bikes. And it shows.
One of the standout features is the fully lockable lock-out, which prevents unwanted bobbing or vague steering response. It’s especially handy when you’re climbing smooth roads or hammering out of the saddle. But that’s not all. The fork also comes with some smart touches for bikepacking enthusiasts. Two removable mounting plates let you attach bags or bottle cages, each side rated for up to three kilograms of extra load. That’s a first in the gravel world, and a real bonus for anyone looking to go long and carry gear.
The fork uses a linear air spring with 40 mm of travel, featuring both a positive and negative air chamber. It’s been designed to respond sensitively to vibrations and smaller impacts—ideal for high-speed riding on rough gravel tracks. The fork weighs in at around 1,350 grams, roughly 600 grams heavier than the standard carbon fork used on the other Grail models. That said, it does offer slightly more clearance, fitting tyres up to 50 mm wide—3 mm more than the carbon version.
DT Swiss have clearly prioritised a tidy design. The remote lock-out cable is routed entirely internally, while the brake hose follows a semi-integrated path. The result? A streamlined cockpit free from messy cable clutter. The fork brace is tucked subtly behind the crown, giving the front end a more slender, refined appearance and adding a touch of technical sophistication to the overall look. Matching that, the fork features precision-fitted, bolted-on covers that blend seamlessly into the crown’s silhouette. The fork legs taper elegantly toward the dropouts, enhancing the clean aesthetic—and quite possibly adding a touch of aerodynamic advantage too.
Another standout feature is the lock-out mechanism, which doesn’t work with the usual two fixed positions. Instead, it toggles with the same lever movement. This clever rotating mechanism allows for a completely new lever design, one that’s more reminiscent of dropper post remotes than traditional suspension lock-outs.
Putting the Canyon Grail CFR Rift to the test at The Traka 100
Three, two, one—go!
We roll out under grey skies and a light drizzle. Not exactly what you’d expect in sunny Girona, but the real trouble was still ahead—worse than we could’ve imagined at the time. The first few kilometres are flat and paved, giving us the chance to try the lock-out for the first time—and it impresses right away. No bobbing, no wobble, no vague steering. Even when we hit the first steep climb and get out of the saddle, the lock-out holds firm, doing exactly what it promises. The remote is intuitive and easy to use, working smoothly without any learning curve.
The DT Swiss remote stays quietly out of the way in the drops—and that’s no small feat. So far, nearly every remote we’ve tested in this position has come with compromises. Some dig uncomfortably into your hand, others are hard to reach when it matters most, or they get in the way of grabbing the brake lever. But DT Swiss have clearly done their homework. Thanks to its ergonomic shape and smooth, edge-free design, we didn’t experience a single issue with hand positioning over the entire race distance. No pressure points, no awkward interference—just a remote that works without getting in the way. Good job!
One small gripe: with no indicator or tactile feedback, you sometimes have to test the fork to know if it’s locked out or not. Since the remote doesn’t have fixed positions and there’s no visual or mechanical indicator for lock-out status, we occasionally found ourselves giving the fork a quick bounce mid-race just to check what mode we were actually in. On more relaxed rides, this probably won’t be a big issue—but in the chaos of racing, it’s easy to lose track.
The race stayed wet, with slick descents, river crossings and the odd rock garden. The stock 40 mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tyres began to show their limits in these slippery conditions. Keeping pace with a group running grippier rubber took a bit of nerve and solid bike handling. That said, the suspension fork made a huge difference—absorbing sudden hits and helping the front wheel maintain traction when things got sketchy.
But on the flats and tarmac descents, the Grail CFR Rift shows exactly what you’ve traded grip for: pure efficiency. The bike rolls so effortlessly on smoother terrain that it’s hard not to push on and try to bridge up to the next group. The sense of speed and responsiveness is addictive—this is a race bike, after all.
100 km, 2 punctures, 6 gels and one serious thunderstorm later, we roll—soaked and filthy—towards the finish line. Teeth clenched, legs shot… but surprisingly, our hands, neck, back and arms still feel fresh. The DT Swiss F 132 ONE fork, the frame and the seatpost really delivered, soaking up the punishment and keeping fatigue at bay. Despite the relatively narrow tyres, the Canyon Grail CFR Rift impressed across the board—comfort, handling, efficiency and control all ticked. The balance it strikes between plush ride feel, sharp handling and race-worthy responsiveness makes it a genuinely versatile gravel racer. It’s not just a bike for the race course—it’s one you’ll feel right at home on long after the finish line.
Who is the Canyon Grail CFR Rift for?
The Canyon Grail CFR Rift is made for speed-hungry comfort lovers—riders who want a do-it-all race bike that’s just as capable over short, punchy races as it is on multi-day ultra-distance epics. It even holds its own on a bikepacking trip without ever feeling too racy or overbuilt. Thanks to the DT Swiss F 132 ONE fork and the high compliance of the frame and seatpost, this is one of the most comfortable race-oriented gravel bikes out there—yet it never feels sluggish or muted. In its stock setup, it’s best suited to dry conditions. For muddy race days, we’d recommend swapping in grippier tyres and fitting a mudguard to the fork.
Conclusion
The Grail CFR Rift isn’t an entirely new bike—but it does bring genuine innovation to the front end. The DT Swiss F 132 ONE is one of the first gravel suspension forks designed with true race focus. It delivers a convincing lock-out, excellent damping, impressive comfort and a sleek, sporty design. The Canyon Grail CFR Rift expands the versatility of Canyon’s gravel race line-up, and on rough terrain, it’s the clear go-to.
Tops
- Effective lock-out
- High comfort without compromising efficiency
- Fast, race-ready aesthetics
Flops
- No revolution in weight savings
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Words: Jan Richter Photos: Jan Richter, Canyon, The Traka
