New Bike Day: Canyon Grail 2 CF SLX DI2 Review

Recently, I decided to buy a new Gravel Bike and after ages of research on the internet, looking at every fast racy gravel bike there is, I landed on the Canyon Grail 2 – a true gravel racer that ticked all the boxes for me. This article is not sponsored in any way. I bought the bike myself.

So why did I choose the Canyon Grail 2?

For a while now, I'd been eyeing a gravel bike that could handle it all. I wanted a single machine for races, commutes in New York City's busy streets, and even some escapes to explore outside the city. Long bikepacking adventures aren't on the agenda right now, and overly bulky bikes didn't seem like the best fit for my needs.

My search led me to some top contenders: the Canyon Grail 2 (of course!), the Specialized Diverge and Crux, and the Factor Ostro Gravel. Luckily, the launch of the new Shimano GRX 12-Speed DI2 groupset coincided with my search, and I managed to snag the Grail 2 at a fantastic discount. This sweet deal made the Grail 2 the perfect value for my versatile riding style.

Direct-to-Consumer Business Model

Canyon's internet-first approach is well-known, and while it offers convenience, it can also come with some frustrations typical of e-commerce. Ideally, the process would be smooth – order, pay, receive.

However, in my case, I wanted a delayed delivery due to travel plans while still claiming a discount. Customer support initially said it was possible, which was great. But when I actually tried to order, things got complicated. Following the steps a previous support rep outlined, it became a complex "case" despite my best efforts. Feeling disappointed, I ended up arranging local delivery through family members. This highlights the potential drawback of impersonal interaction in a large online business.

On a positive note, when I discovered the bike was advertised with an extra discount after purchase, Canyon processed my 30-day refund request after a friendly reminder. I didn't mind the longer wait since I didn't pay attention when paying the invoice for the bike.

First Impressions and Ride

The Canyon Grail 2 isn't just a bike, it's a stunner. The Dark Green and Black color scheme is absolutely stunning – the other creamy/black color scheme simply never stood a chance for me! Even better, the bike looks better than on their own Product pages. Assembly was a breeze, thanks to the Canyon YouTube videos. If worries about assembly are holding you back from buying a Canyon bike, fear not! Their resources are more than sufficient.

The first ride on my Canyon Grail 2 was a test of its versatility. From the bike shop (where I planned some modifications) to the ride back, I encountered a mix of terrain: gravel, forest roads, tarmac, and even some sandy dunes.The first impression? This bike wants to ride fast! It has a distinctly sporty feel compared to other gravel bikes I've ridden, like the Canyon Grizl which, despite similar aesthetics, offers a vastly different experience and feels bulky.

On tarmac, the Grail 2 felt perfectly stiff for putting down power. Light gravel was smooth sailing, and even with my opposite-of-featherweight build, the bike handled beautifully. The standard (Schwalbe slicks) tires, however, weren't ideal for the terrain I was riding in. Additionally, the product page wasn't explicit about them coming with tubes, so I needed a stop at the bike shop. Little shoutout to my friends from Bruklene Bike Shop in Riga for helping me

I opted for a tubeless setup with the amazing Specialized Pathfinder Pro 42mm tires. These tires felt so much better, handling all surfaces with ease. While online Reddit chatter often focuses on the Grail 2's "limited" 42mm tire clearance, I'm convinced it's more than enough for most riders. If you regularly tackle beach races or super loose sand/dunes, then perhaps a bike with wider clearance might be a better fit. But for the vast majority of gravel adventures, the Grail 2's capabilities are impressive.

Some takes on the Grail 2:

Integrated Storage:

It's amazing to have integrated storage on the bike. No hussle with saddle bags, but directly accessible under the cover. It looks very slick on the bike and I'm happy with it. The storage has space for a tube, a CO2 cartridge with the pump, a hand pump and a tubeless tyre repair set. Annoyingly, you will have to buy the bag that holds those separately. The multitool is included, but you can't adjust your seatpost with it.

The multi tool that came with the bike started to rust right away. I'm not sure if it was because I was riding on the beach, but that wasn't great. Canyon Customer Support was so kind to sent me a new one.

The Gear Groove:

Canyon's Gear Groove is an interesting concept that allows for interchangeable accessories on the handlebar. It solves the issue of cluttered cockpits with a sleek, integrated design. Currently, there are only a few options available, like the standard computer mount, front light mount, and aero bars. However, the potential for expansion is significant.

The good news is that Canyon is expanding the Gear Groove system to include their Aeroad aero road bike. This suggests they see the value in this interchangeable system. But here's the exciting part: imagine the possibilities if they open up the Gear Groove system to third-party accessory makers!

Think about it - phone mounts, camera mounts, extra bottle cages, even custom aero bar extensions - the options could be endless. This would allow riders to truly customize their cockpit for their specific needs and riding style. So, Canyon R&D team, here's a suggestion: collaborate with third-party accessory makers to develop a wider range of Gear Groove compatible products. This would cater to the needs of various riders and enhance the overall functionality of Canyon bikes. It's a win-win for everyone! Canyon could be at the forefront of making their bikes the ecosystem of accessory makers.

The Saddle

The saddle itself is comfortable, but finding the right one is highly personal. That said, the real issue I encountered wasn't the saddle, but the infuriating impossibility of adjusting its angle.

I quickly discovered online that many riders share this frustration. The only solution seemed to be brute force. Hammering my seatpost into submission was not ideal, but it eventually worked. Thank you internet for the tip!

I really like the bike

I came to the conclusion that me and the bike will have some great adventures together. The versatility of the bike combined with the fast geometry makes it great for my commute in the city, adventures and group rides in Prospect Park! Oh, and I can't wait to take it to Unbound next year!