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Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS Review

A capable and efficient carbon gravel bike with a great build and solid all-around performance
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Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS Review (Adventure ready, the Grail is a well-thought-out gravel rig.)
Adventure ready, the Grail is a well-thought-out gravel rig.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Price:  $2,899 List
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Manufacturer:   Canyon
By Joshua Hutchens ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 22, 2024
83
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 8
  • Downhill - 30% 8.0
  • Climbing - 30% 9.0
  • Versatility - 20% 7.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0
  • Build - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS provides a quick and nimble way to dice up the road or trail. With consumer-direct pricing, a quality build kit, and respectable compliance, the Grail offers gravel riders Canyons take on a pebble smasher. Gone are the strange-looking handlebars and steep front end; the new Grail has more neutral looks and geometry. All carbon where it counts, the SL7 AXS build gets 12-speed wireless shifting, plenty of mounts for gear, and a clever little bag from FidLock. Well-rounded performance and a solid parts spec ready this bike for everything from little jaunts to Gran Fondos. While the bike looks and feels modern, the redesigned seatpost clamp is a miss.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Moderately versatile
Clean lines
REASONS TO AVOID
Finicky seatpost clamp
Limited tire clearance

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck Carbon
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Gravel Bike
Top Pick Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
Best Value Electric Gravel Bike
 
Price $2,899 List$3,999 List
$3,999 at Backcountry
$2,199 List$2,295 List
$2,295 at Ride1up
$1,599 List
$1,599 at REI
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Bottom Line Direct-to-consumer value for a high-performance carbon gravel bike with a quality build and above-average versatilitySure-footed with a quality build and impressively well-rounded performance, this bike quickly became a tester's favoriteA rugged gravel bike with front suspension that's great for tackling rough gravel and adventurous ridesAn affordable and highly versatile entry-level gravel bike, having a motor is just a bonusAn affordable and highly versatile entry-level gravel bike
Rating Categories Canyon Grail CF SL... Santa Cruz Stigmata... Canyon Grizl 7 Susp... Ride1Up CF Racer1 Salsa Journeyer Ape...
Downhill (30%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Climbing (30%)
9.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Versatility (20%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Weight (10%)
9.0
8.0
4.0
8.0
4.0
Build (10%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Canyon Grail CF SL... Santa Cruz Stigmata... Canyon Grizl 7 Susp... Ride1Up CF Racer1 Salsa Journeyer Ape...
Measured Weight (w/o pedals) 19 lbs 11 oz 20 lbs 1 oz 24 lbs 12 oz 28 lbs 6 oz 24 lbs 5 oz (with tubes)
Frame Material Carbon Fiber Carbon CC Aluminum Carbon Fiber Aluminum
Wheelsize 700c 700c 700c 700c 700c (tested) or 650b
Frame Size Tested Medium Large Large 56 57cm
Available Sizes 2XS-2XL S, M, L, XL, XXL S-2XL 50-56 50, 52, 54, 55.5, 57, 59.5cm
Wheelset DT Swiss Gravel LN WTB EZR i23p 700c rims with DT 370 hubs DT Swiss Gravel LN Alloy Rims 17.5 id, 250W geared motor WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0 700c rims with Novatec hubs
Front Tire Schwalbe G-One R 700 x 40c Maxxis Rambler EXO 700 x 45c Schwalbe G-One Bite 700 x 45c Continental Terra Trail, 700 x 40c WTB Riddler Comp 700 x 37c
Rear Tire Schwalbe G-One R 700 x 40c Maxxis Rambler EXO 700 x 45c Schwalbe G-One Bite 700 x 45c Continental Terra Trail, 700 x 40c WTB Riddler Comp 700 x 37c
Shifters SRAM Rival E-tap AXS SRAM Apex Shimano GRX RX600 SRAM Rival SRAM Apex 1
Rear Derailleur SRAM Rival E-tap AXS 12-speed SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed Shimano GRX RX810 GS 11-speed SRAM Rival 1x11 SRAM Apex 1
Front Derailleur N/A N/A Shimano GRX RX810 N/A N/A
Cassette SRAM XG-1251 XPLR 12-speed, 10-44T SRAM XG 1251 XPLR 12-speed 10-44t Shimano HG700 11-speed, 11-34T SRAM PG1130, 11-speed, 11-42T SRAM PG 1130, 11-42T
Crankset SRAM Rival SRAM Apex DUB Wide, 172.5 40t FSA Gossamer, 46/30T Pro Wheel RPP 170mm, 42T SRAM Apex 1 X-Sync, 40T
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB Pressfit Wide SRAM DUB Token Ninja Lite BB4124 PF86.5 PressFit not specified
Fork Canyon FK0117 CF Disc Carbon Santa Cruz Carbon RockShox Rudy XPLR Base, 30mm Ride1Up Carbon Fantail Deluxe Carbon
Seatpost Canyon SP0072 Carbon Zipp Service Course, 27.2 Canyon SP0057 VCLS Carbon, 20mm setback Ride1Up Carbon Alloy 27.2mm
Saddle Vento Argo X5 WTB Silverado 142mm Selle Italia Model X Selle Royal Asphalt GF WTB Volt Sport 142mm
Handlebar Canyon Cockpit CP0045 Zipp Service Course 70 XPLR AL Bar Canyon HB0050 Ergobar AL One piece Carbon 15-degree flair Salsa Cowbell
Stem One-piece integrated Zipp Service Course Stem, 70mm Canyon V13 One piece Carbon 15-degree flair Salsa Guide
Brakes SRAM Rival 1 flat mount SRAM Rival 1 flat mount Shimano GRX RX600 hydraulic disc SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc TRP Spyre-C mechanical
Measured Effective Top Tube (mm) 586 592 588 572 568
Measured Reach (mm) 411 420 409 384 380
Measured Head Tube Angle (degrees) 71.5 69.5 72 72 70
Measured Seat Tube Angle (degrees) 73.5 74 73.5 73 73
Measured Bottom Bracket Height (mm) 280 277 274 279
Measured Wheelbase (mm) 1057 1087 1055 1040 1060
Measured Chain Stay Length (mm) 425 423 435 435 440
Warranty 6-Years Lifetime 6-Years 1-year 3-years

Our Analysis and Test Results

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - a stable and efficient platform for grinding out the miles.
A stable and efficient platform for grinding out the miles.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Frame Design


The redesigned Grail CF SL 7 is built using Canyon's SL carbon fiber frame. The full carbon frame can be had in two different layups: the CF SL that we have here and the even lighter CFR. A 71.5-degree headtube and a 73.5-degree seat tube don't break any molds but give the bike a racy yet comfortable disposition. The carbon frame employs some aero tube forms to keep it quick, while triple bottle cage mounts, top tube mounts, and strapless bag compatibility keep it versatile. There are also mounts for Canyon's LOAD FidLock bag that give it easy access storage sandwiched between the top and down tube.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - the load fidlock bag is incredibly convenient; the magnetic closure...
The LOAD Fidlock bag is incredibly convenient; the magnetic closure and tucked-in form factor score it extra points.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

The full carbon fork is compatible with the LOAD Fork Sleeve Quickloader system, enhancing the bike's versatility for that weekend bike-packing adventure. The frame and fork use flat-mount disc brake tabs and have clearance for 42mm tires. Stepping back from the bike, it looks modern yet fairly conventional. Its two cables are routed internally through the head tube, which gives it an incredibly clean look. The bike also uses an internal seatpost clamp that looks cool but caused a month of headaches. Canyon sought to reinvent the seat post clamp, and while it provides clean lines, it proved to be far less effective (and more frustrating) than a conventional clamp. Getting a replacement can only be done through Canyon directly.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - the reinvented seatpost clamp gives the frame clean lines and a...
The reinvented seatpost clamp gives the frame clean lines and a smooth look but feels poorly engineered.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Our size medium test bike has a 411mm reach and a 586mm effective top tube. A wheelbase of 1057mm holds 425mm of rear center and keeps the bike quick to accelerate and agile at slow speeds. Chainstay length is the same on all frame sizes, and while it felt near ideal for our medium-sized test bike, taller riders may feel the rear end is a bit short. The bike's stack comes in at 591mm thanks to a generous 163mm headtube and 15mm of custom-shaped spacers, which gave us a reasonably comfortable front end with enough weight over the front end that steering traction was never an issue.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Design Highlights

  • Available in CF or CFR carbon (CFR has internal frame storage)
  • Size-specific geometry
  • Multiple bottle, top tube, and fender mounts
  • LOAD FidLock frame bag available
  • Headtube routed cables
  • Available in sizes 2XS-2XL
  • 700c wheels on all sizes

The FidLock bag simply snaps into place. There is routing for a hydration hose and it notably fits the largest iPhone model.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Downhill Performance


We assess the downhill performance of gravel bikes by hitting peaks and passes. We rode the Grail over several paved mountain passes and multiple gravel peaks. A bike's descending prowess is important because it can be the fun part of the ride and because it's likely the most dangerous time you'll spend on the bike. A bike that doesn't descend well will feel sketchy on the way down, anxious in the corners, and reluctant when you get out of the saddle to push it hard. Therefore, our downhill metric accounts for 30% of the overall score in gravel bike testing.

The flared handlebars give the rider ample triangulation for the upper body.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

We found the Grail to be an adept descender but not wildly more capable than other gravel rigs. A 71.5-degree headtube angle made the front end slightly twitchy at higher speeds. This model's one-piece flared carbon bar/stem is new, as Canyon has dumped their double-decker hover handlebar. It was a neat experiment offering something different, but we're glad they've returned to a slightly more conventional setup. The flared drops have a nice shape that allows you to hide out and keep your weight behind the bike. SRAM Rival E-tap levers provide an excellent perch for your hands, giving ample control and support and excellent leverage for braking.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

The bike feels stable and quick to respond on the open road; when the tarmac turns crunchy, the all-carbon fork and Schwalbe G-One rubber do a good job of dampening the vibes. The rear end and D-shaped seatpost work to reduce the chatter transmitted to the saddle. Diving into corners and hopping potholes felt second nature to the bike; it performed well but didn't wow us in any of the downhill situations with fearless enthusiasm like the Santa Cruz Stigmata.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - with the stock 40mm tires you can see there is minimal chainstay...
With the stock 40mm tires you can see there is minimal chainstay clearance that will prevent you from running higher-volume tires.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

A 1,057mm wheelbase keeps this bike in line with most other modern gravel getters and bodes well for its stability at speed. The headtube is slacker than the previous model by a full degree but didn't leave us feeling any less agile picking our way down baby-head strewn trails and rock gardens. The geometry is neutral/conservative enough that the bike excelled at road duties when the dirt and dust came to an end.


Climbing Performance


Unsurprisingly, a sub-20-pound carbon-framed gravel bike can crush the climbs. The new Grail dances up the climbs and rewards your pedal strokes with eager forward motion. A 73.5-degree seat tube angle gives you reasonable leverage on the steeps, but the power transfer feels direct and efficient through the bike's 425mm chainstays. The compliance you feel while riding on flat sections doesn't hint at how well the bike translates your power. The 10-44 cassette gives a fairly wide gear range, while a 42T chainring wraps the chain at the business end of the drivetrain. The bike's wide bottom bracket shell holds a press-fit 86.5mm DUB bb and Rival 1X Crank. The frame has a front derailleur mount and is available with dual chainrings for those wanting more than the 440% gear range.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - an extra set of downtube bottle bosses gives the grail a bit more...
An extra set of downtube bottle bosses gives the Grail a bit more utility for those long trips.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Our testers loved how this bike felt out of the saddle and raved about its stiff drivetrain and compliant cockpit. SRAM's E-tap levers are a work of art, providing excellent holds for leverage and crisp, quick shifting under load. Notably, the shifter's throw is so short that touching the button requires next to no effort. Our size medium test bike had enough reach for ample room to gulp oxygen and move around while grinding out big climbs.

Excellent power transfer and a stiff cockpit give the Grail climbing prowess.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The bike's lateral stiffness made it ideal for rocking back and forth up a long climb; those hard smashes of the pedals translated to a spirited feeling of acceleration. 75mm of bottom bracket drop is enough to make you feel in between the axles while keeping the pedals off the rocks. The 40mm Schwalbe G-One tires are a good choice for this bike, but we occasionally wanted a bit more purchase on technical climbs, whereas 42s or 45s would have felt ideal. Maximum tire clearance for the frame and fork are listed as 42mm.


A Vento Argo saddle provided a relatively agreeable spot for the sit bones, but underneath is Canyon's own SP0072 seatpost. The D-shaped seatpost seemed to offer some comforting flex, but Canyon's SP0046 seatpost clamp gave us some trouble. Ride after ride, we'd found that the saddle had dropped a cm or more during the ride, which can make the climb back home arduous. After troubleshooting with Caynon customer service and rebuilding the unit several times with carbon friction paste, they finally shipped us a replacement clamp. With most bikes, you could simply order a new clamp or take it down to the bike shop, but Canyon's consumer direct and proprietary parts made this impossible. As we wrapped up this review, Canyon announced a partnership with REI, so perhaps you will soon be able to interact with a retailer for warranty service.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - this is the seatpost clamp, and while it looks sleek, it may not be...
This is the seatpost clamp, and while it looks sleek, it may not be worth the complication.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Versatility


Like most modern gravel bikes, the Grail CF SL 7 proved to be fairly versatile. We found it to be an adept replacement for a road bike on several occasions and, at other times, found ourselves on trails with pad-clad enduro riders. The Grail has a simplistic, clean look but quite a few clever mounts that allow you to pack it down with gear. Room for three bottles, a top tube bag, and the FidLock bag give you space for enough water and calories to go the distance.


While we found the tire clearance enough for the muddy days and there was room to mount our favorite front mini-fender, the bike is a bit shy on clearance. It's not uncommon to find gravel bikes that can handle 50c tires, giving you more traction, comfort, and capability. Canyon's D-shaped seatpost feels comfortable, but the corresponding D-shaped hole in the frame isn't compatible with any other post or dropper. Similarly, the one-piece bar/stem worked well for us, but users who want to adjust the handlebar angle or stack will be left to purchase a new handlebar and stem.

The 1X drivetrain works well for our terrain, but a front derailleur...
The 1X drivetrain works well for our terrain, but a front derailleur mount gives the bike more versatility.
The elegant source of much frustration.
The elegant source of much frustration.
The front derailleur mount adds some versatility, but the proprietary seatpost limits the bike's use.

Weight


At 19 lbs and 11 oz with tubeless tires and no pedals, we had no complaints about this bike's mass. We're quite fond of lightweight gravel bikes; when they're not packed down with gear, a lightweight bike can float and dance over the terrain. We've tested lighter bikes like the Ibis Hakka MX, which is almost a pound lighter, but 20 pounds or under feels rewarding, quick in the sprints, and easy to portage.

The Grail is light in the hand and rewards your input.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Weight certainly isn't everything, and we'd caution against choosing your new gravel bike based on weight alone, but for many riders, it should be a consideration. If you're planning to bike pack and drag along a sleeping bag, the difference of a few pounds is inconsequential, but if you're looking for a sporty feeling ride that inspires athleticism, the Grail checks quite a few boxes.


Build


The Grail CF SL is available with several different build kits, but we liked the sweet spot of this bike's price and performance. Grail builds currently range in price from $2500 to $7500 and offer a wide range of performance for differing uses, but all have full carbon cockpits. The Grail CF SL 7 AXS gives you SRAM AXS wireless shifting, which we found to be a highlight. The shifting is incredibly precise and free of cable stretch, and the ergonomics are fantastic. Each shifter has a single blade behind the brake lever that controls shifting: left shifts up, right shifts down. Conventional shifters require a fair bit of throw to pull enough cable, but the AXS shifter slams shifts with barely a millimeter of finger input. It's hard to return to cable-actuated systems after using AXS.


Canyon sells direct-to-consumer, and the DTC model cuts out the middleman or bike shop in this case. We're big fans of bike shops, but not everyone wants to pay a hefty markup for the ability to test-ride a bike. Cutting out the retailer results in savings passed to you, and this bike's $3599 price is pretty attractive for what you get. We're impressed with the quality of the bike and the build kit; it arrives mostly assembled and doesn't require a mechanic to get it rolling.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - this gravel-getter feels right at home on long stretches of...
This gravel-getter feels right at home on long stretches of pavement, and knocking off several thousand-foot climbs didn't have us pining for a road bike.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Groupset


The Grail CF SL 7 AXS uses a SRAM Rival 170mm 1X crankset with a 42T chainring. This gives you just better than 1:1 gearing paired with the Rival XPLR XG-1251 10-44 cassette. Rival flat-mount brakes connect with 160mm center-lock Paceline rotors to offer excellent modulation and power. The Rival XPLR eTap AXS derailleur is precise and fuss-free; don't forget to charge the battery every once in a while.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - the 12-speed axs drivetrain gave us flawless shifting and all the...
The 12-speed AXS drivetrain gave us flawless shifting and all the range we needed.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Wheels/Tires


The DT Swiss Gravel LN wheelset is an OEM-only spec offered by DT with a 25mm internal width. The gravel-specific wheels feature standard 100/142mm spacing and use 12mm thru axles. We were disappointed that the wheelset didn't include valve stems to convert the bike to tubeless. The wheels come taped for tubeless, but you'll need at least 44mm valve stems to complete the job.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - the g-one r tires set up tubeless with ease and handled all the...
The G-One R tires set up tubeless with ease and handled all the terrain with threw at them.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Cockpit


Canyon abandoned its unique-looking double-decker handlebar design in favor of the new Double Drop bar-stem combo. The new “Double Drop Bar takes everything we learned from the Generation 1 Double Decker Bar and incorporates it into a lightweight, aerodynamic package with the clever and functional Gear Groove mounting point.” The bar features a subtle 5-degree back sweep and 16-degree flare. We found it to be incredibly comfortable, but as we stated above, it lacks adjustability. The seat post and dropper incompatibility may be a deal breaker for some, but once we resolved the seat post clamp issue, we were pretty happy with the rest of the cockpit.

canyon grail cf sl 7 axs - the one-piece carbon bar/stem combo has a gentle down slope and...
The one-piece carbon bar/stem combo has a gentle down slope and flared drops; while not adjustable, we found the front end quite comfortable.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Build Options


Canyon uses the name Grail for all of their performance-oriented gravel bikes. They sell several models with dual chainrings, one with a power meter, and even an electrified version called the Grail:ON. They also produce a higher-end version of this frame called the Grail CFR, which is lighter and features downtube storage.

Should You Buy the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS?


The consumer-direct sales model offers exceptional value to the consumer but comes with some downsides. Test riding this bike isn't possible, and getting support without a dealer network can be frustrating. In many ways, the Grail rides like a road bike with additional capabilities. We loved how light and lively the bike felt while climbing; it felt responsive and rewarding but more tentative when descending. If you plan to strap on a lot of gear, the lightweight aspect of the bike is mostly lost. If aggressive gravel riding is in your future, you could probably do better, as the steeper front end, narrow tire clearance, and lack of dropper compatibility limit this bike's scope. If a dual-purpose road/gravel bike at a great price is on your wishlist, you may have found your next bike.

What Other Gravel Bikes Should You Consider?


Our roadie testers felt this was their favorite gravel bike, while our mountain bikers favored the Santa Cruz Stigmata CC Apex with its slacker headtube, taller fork, and ample clearance. This bike is arguably a much better value than the Stigmata, with a nice parts spec, a carbon cockpit, and a lower price, but it doesn't handle rowdy terrain like the Santa Cruz. Somewhere in the middle is the Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon, which testers loved for its downhill prowess and long-range comfort.

Joshua Hutchens