Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by in review – the gravel all-rounder steps up against mountain bikes

How does a modern, unsprung gravel all-rounder compare directly with suspension-equipped gravel and mountain bikes? We wanted to find out and included the Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by in our concept comparison. You can find all details and our conclusions here.

Get an overview of the grouptest here: Gravel vs. mountain bike – 6 models on test

The Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by expands the gravel bike portfolio of the Koblenz-based bike brand and is ready to take on the five other concepts in our group test. To do so, the bike gets 50 mm of tire clearance and a modern carbon frameset. Do the numbers add up?

The Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by in detail

Canyon agree that the range of applications for gravel bikes is now so broad that they can no longer be covered by a single model, and so the Canyon Grail (read the review here) has got company. With its many bosses, mudguard mounts, dropper post compatibility and classic stem/handlebar setup, the € 2,699 Grizl CF SL 8 1by leaves plenty of room for aftermarket customisation. The uncluttered and non-polarising frame design reminds us of a VW Golf – doesn’t put off anyone and everyone can enjoy it.

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Details like the asymmetrical chainstays or the integrated seat post clamp fit the overall picture and are only noticeable at a second glance. The former provides the freedom to install tires up to 700 x 50C. Our test bike rolls on 700 x 40C Schwalbe G-One R rubber – a very good gravel all-rounder, just like the bike itself. At 9.12 kg in size M, it’s the lightest bike in the comparison test and does without any active suspension, but aims to provide the necessary comfort with system compliance and the Canyon S15 VCLS CF 2.0 seatpost. Spoiler: it improves the ride comfort significantly, has sufficient damping for its “suspension travel”, and unlike the BMC Twostroke, has a much lower tendency to bounce. The 1×11 drivetrain mix based on the Shimano GRX RX800 groupset and Shimano SLX CS-M7000 cassette is tried, tested and robust. However, its performance pales in comparison to the test field and, together with the components on the Fustle Causeway TRAIL, it provides the vaguest feeling shifting in the test. The reason for this is the long lever travel and the comparatively spongy feedback.

The Grizl is a super versatile platform for custom gravel bike setups!

Site	2XS	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat tube	432 mm	462 mm	492 mm	522 mm	552 mm	582 mm	612 mm
Top tube	532 mm	541 mm	562 mm	574 mm	588 mm	612 mm	627 mm
Head tube	121 mm	133 mm	118 mm	138 mm	164 mm	185 mm	204 mm
Head angle	70.0°	71.0°	71.0°	72.3°	72.5°	72.8°	72.8°
Seat angle	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstays	420 mm	420 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm
BB Drop	60 mm	60 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm	75 mm
Wheelbase	1,007 mm	1,007 mm	1,036 mm	1,037 mm	1,050 mm	1,072 mm	1,086 mm
Reach	377 mm	382 mm	397 mm	402 mm	409 mm	427 mm	436 mm
Stack	522 mm	537 mm	556 mm	579 mm	605 mm	626 mm	644 mm

The Canyon gravel bike on test: our impressions

In terms of lightfootedness and power, the Canyon leaves the test field behind on hard surfaces. On loose surfaces only two bikes offer more traction, the BMC Twostroke with its tire tread and the Trek Supercaliber due to its suspension, which makes them correspondingly easier to get up to speed. Like the Fustle, the gearing, with a 40 t chainring and an 11–42 t cassette, is too heavy for steep climbs – here you have to get out of the saddle early. On steep gravel ramps, the Canyon is the first one to lose traction compared to the competition. Despite its lively acceleration, it can’t outperform the BMC URS LT or the LAUF True Grit in terms of efficiency and speed on the flats on our test loop. However, on compact gravel roads, the bike rides great, handles very predictably and shines with a good balance of agility and smoothness. The comfort is also well-suited to long distances thanks to the carbon seat post and frameset compliance. However, as the ride gets rougher, you can feel a clear difference in the comfort of the front and rear while sitting. If you need more reserves, don’t be afraid to take full advantage of the Canyon’s roomy tire clearance. Sizing up to 700 x 45C Schwalbe G-One Rs would make for a great compromise between on- and off-road performance.

On the trail and down steep descents, the Canyon offers little freedom of movement. The reason for this is the lack of a dropper post and the handlebar ergonomics, which have almost 0° flare. When it gets steep, you are restricted in your riding position and can only make limited use of your “body travel”. You steer with the bars rather than actively moving the bike around underneath you through the corners. In addition to losing traction at times, riding roots also causes the internally routed cables to rattle. Unfortunately, that somewhat impacts confidence in the bike. The alloy rims of the DT Swiss G1800 wheelset are a consolation, as they can withstand the occasional puncture without terminal damage. All in all, you can push the Grizl surprisingly hard even in demanding terrain, in the finest underbiking style. However, compared to the other bike concepts in the group test, it becomes clear that you should bring decent riding skills and fitness due to the inherent limitations of the platform.

Tuning tips: handlebar with more compliance and a better shape | fit 700 x 45C Schwalbe G-One R when the G-One Bite TLE Evo is worn out

The perfect application for the Grizl

You can significantly expand the range of uses of the Grizl in the bat of an eye! That’s because the Koblenz-based company’s portfolio also includes a Grizl model with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate suspension fork. Together with larger volume tires and the RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post, this should significantly broaden the bike’s range of use and would make the bike significantly more competitive in this concept comparison! This shows that the Grizl platform is actually much more versatile than our test bike suggests. Nonetheless, it shines with predictable handling, plenty of speed and long distance comfort, especially on compact gravel as well as on paved roads. However, as the terrain gets rougher or the slopes get steeper, the bike reaches its limits.

Grizl CF SL 8 1by conclusion

All those looking for a good-natured bike for use on asphalt and gravel in undulating terrain will be happy with the Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by. For this application, it offers great value for money! For steep landscapes or rougher terrain, Canyon offers better builds based on the Grizl platform. Despite the enormous versatility of the frame itself, with its specification our test bike cannot keep up with the competition in this test.

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You can find out more about at canyon.com

The test field

Get an overview of the grouptest here: Gravel vs. mountain bike – 6 models on test

All bikes in test: BMC Twostroke 01 ONE (Click for review) | BMC URS LT ONE (Click for review) | Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by | Fustle Causeway TRAIL Lite (Click for review) | Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition (Click for review) | Trek Supercaliber 9.8 GX (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Benjamin Topf