Canyon’s Grail gravel bike range has expanded to 13 models for 2021 and now includes two new options featuring the latest gravel tech from SRAM and Shimano.
Once again, the range features three frames: the top-end Grail CF SLX (claimed frame weight 830g, medium) comes with Canyon’s double-decker handlebar, the mid-range Grail CF SL (1,040g claimed) offers a more affordable carbon alternative, and the aluminium Grail (1,540g claimed) is the value-packed option.
Grail bikes start at £1,399 for the 2021 Grail 6 and rise to £4,649 for the Grail CF SLX 8 eTap featuring SRAM’s new Force eTap AXS Wide groupset.
You can see the full Grail range on the Canyon website; here we’re going to focus on the three newest and most interesting specs.
SRAM Force Wide specs for 2021
The Grail CF SLX 8 eTap, top of the Grail tree, gets a spec upgrade and will use SRAM’s gravel-focused Force eTap AXS Wide groupset for 2021.
The flagship model now comes with a two-ring 46/33 chainset up front and a 10-36t cassette, offering more range with smaller jumps between gears than the previous single ring setup.
The Wide groupset was launched earlier this year and fills a gap in SRAM’s range between the road-focused eTap AXS wireless groupsets and the company’s mountain bike groupsets.
Canyon says the additional 2x range makes for the ideal gravel bike setup, with plenty of gears for off-road riding and smaller jumps between sprockets than a 1x setup for riding on the road.
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap
- Frame: Grail CF SLX Disc
- Fork: Canyon FK0070 CF Disc
- Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide
- Gear ratios: 46/33t chainset, 10-36t cassette
- Wheels: DT Swiss GRC1400 Spline db carbon
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD
- Cockpit: Canyon CP07 Gravel cockpit CF carbon
- Seatpost: Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 CF carbon
- Saddle: Fizik Argo
- Price: £4,649 / €4,899 / $4,949 / AU$7,649
The new Force Wide components can also be found on the Grail CF SL 8 eTap, the most expensive bike with Canyon’s second-tier Grail CL SL carbon frame.
Both bikes previously featured a 1x ‘mullet’ drivetrain, with a SRAM Force 42-tooth road chainset paired with an X01 Eagle AXS mountain bike rear mech and 10-50t cassette.
Canyon Grail CF SL 8 eTap
- Frame: Grail CF SL Disc
- Fork: Canyon FK0070 CF Disc
- Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide
- Gear ratios: 46/33t chainset, 10-36t cassette
- Wheels: Reynolds ATR carbon
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD
- Cockpit: Canyon CP07 Gravel cockpit CF carbon
- Seatpost: Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 CF carbon
- Saddle: Fizik Argo
- Price: £3,799 / €3,999 / $4,049 / AU$6,249
New 1x alloy bike
Meanwhile, the Shimano GRX setup on the top-spec alloy bike, the Grail AL 7, has gone the other way, with Canyon offering the new Grail 7 1by.
This features a 40-tooth single chainring paired with an 11-42t cassette, giving loads of range with 11 speeds.
Pricing for the Grail 7 1by is £1,699, the same as the double chainring GRX men’s and women’s versions, which will continue to be sold alongside it. For 2021 it will be the only single-ring configuration in the Grail line-up.
Canyon Grail 7 1by
- Frame: Canyon Grail AL Disc
- Fork: Canyon FK0070 CF Disc
- Groupset: Shimano GRX
- Gear ratios: 40t chainset, 11-42t cassette
- Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline db alloy
- Cockpit: Canyon HB 0050 Ergobar AL handlebar, Canyon V13 alloy stem
- Seatpost: Canyon SP0043 VCLS CF carbon
- Saddle: Selle Italia X3
- Price: £1,699 / €1,799 / $1,799 / AU$N/A
New saddles for most of the carbon bikes
Also new for 2021, all the carbon Grail CF SL and CF SLX bikes, with the exception of the CF SL 7 and CF SL 7 WMN, will get a saddle swap, with the short nosed Fizik Argo replacing the Fizik Aliante, which was previously specced on the majority of men’s bikes.
If you’re after a bit of assistance on your gravel rides meanwhile, there’s the newly launched four bike Grail:ON ebike range. It comes with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, a 500Wh battery and Shimano GRX or SRAM Force eTap AXS, priced from £4,699 up to £5,699.
