No weird bars, but heaps of versatility — the new Canyon Grail AL

No weird bars, but heaps of versatility — the new Canyon Grail AL

You can now buy a Canyon Grail for £1,099

Designed for adventure and gravel riding, the new Grail AL packs in many of the features of its pricier carbon sibling

Canyon

Aoife Glass

Published: October 30, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Designed for adventure and gravel riding, the new Grail AL packs in many of the features of its pricier carbon sibling - Canyon
The Grail AL comes with attachment points for racks and mudguards - Canyon
The Canyon Grail WMN 7.0 comes in an eye-catching copper shade - Canyon
The WMN models differ from unisex models only in saddle and some finishing kit elements - Canyon
The Grail AL 7.0 SL is the range-topper - Canyon
Shimano 105 gears and disc brakes make up the meat of the Grail AL 7.0 - Canyon
The entry-level Grail AL 6.0 comes with Shimano Tiagra gearing - Canyon
Canyon has worked with Topeak to develop a selection of luggage specifically designed to work with the Grail - Canyon

Canyon’s carbon adventure bike the Grail has a new lower-priced but still feature-packed sibling — say hello to the Grail AL.

While the new aluminium Grail might not have the eye-catchingly odd yet undoubtedly innovative Hoverbar handlebars of the original carbon model, the real highlight of the range is the accessible price point.

Same purpose, added features

The Grail AL range starts at £1,099 / €1,199 / AU$1749 and rises to £1,349 / €1,499 / AU$2,149 / $1,849.

For this, you get a 6061 double butted aluminium frame with flat mount brakes, 12mm thru-axles and the same carbon fork as used on the carbon Grail models.

Canyon has also included mudguard and rack mounts, plus bottle mounts, allowing even very small frames, such as the 2XS frame the company produces, to accommodate two bottles as well as a frame bag.

The Aluminium Gravel Handlebar has been designed specifically for the Grail AL with a moderate flare angle and increased width — up to 460mm — to give, Canyon says, extra control and stability.

Canyon Grail AL sizing

The unisex models have a full run of height options from 2XS, designed to suit a rider height from 158cm, all the way through to a 2XL for riders up to 202cm. The WMN range is available from 2XS to M.

Elements such as cranks and handlebars are all size-specific. Canyon has also opted to fit smaller 27.5in wheels on the XS and 2XS sizes, which is something it has also done for its Endurance WMN and Ultimate WMN road bike ranges.

Coordinating frame bags

Canyon has worked with Topeak to develop a selection of luggage specifically designed to work with the Grail - Canyon

As with the original carbon model, Canyon has also teamed up with bag and accessories manufacturer Topeak to develop a selection of frame bags designed specifically to fit the Grail, in addition to its range of handlebar- and seatpost-mounted luggage.

Smaller riders, in particular, will be pleased to hear that in addition to being able to stow two bottles within the frame, the Topeak range also includes a mid-frame bag designed to fit 2XS to S frame sizes.

Built for adventure, or adventurous commuters

The price point and feature list on the new Grail AL make it a very tempting offer for riders who want an adventure bike but don’t want to splurge big bucks or prefer to steer clear of carbon frames.

While adventure riding and commuting may not have a huge amount in common, both value elements such as comfort, wet-weather protection and the ability to carry luggage. This could make the Grail AL a potentially popular choice with commuters too.

Canyon Grail AL range overview

There are five models of the Grail AL, comprising three unisex models and two WMN models. The WMN models are built with women’s specific finishing kit such as saddles, but are based around the same unisex frame.

Not all models are available in all geographic areas, with the entry-level Grail AL 6.0 and WMN 6.0 not available in the USA.

The full Grail AL range is available now via the Canyon website.

Grail AL 6.0

The entry-level Grail AL 6.0 comes with Shimano Tiagra gearing - Canyon
  • Sizes: 2XS to 2XL
  • Frameset: Canyon Grail AL with Canyon One One Four SLX Disc carbon forks
  • Groupset: Shimano Tiagra with 11-34t cassette
  • Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB
  • Tyres: 40mm Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE
  • Saddle: Selle Italia X3 Canyon Edition
  • Handlebars: Canyon HB50 Gravel
  • £1,099 / €1,199 / $N/A / AU$1,749

Grail AL 6.0 WMN

The WMN models differ from unisex models only in saddle and some finishing kit elements - Canyon
  • Sizes: 2XS to M
  • Frameset: Canyon Grail AL with Canyon One One Four SLX Disc carbon forks
  • Groupset: Shimano Tiagra with 11-34t cassette
  • Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB
  • Tyres: 40mm Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE
  • Saddle: Selle Italia X1 Lady Flow
  • Handlebars: Canyon HB50 Gravel
  • £1,099 / €1,199 / $N/A / AU$1,749

Grail AL 7.0

Shimano 105 gears and disc brakes make up the meat of the Grail AL 7.0 - Canyon
  • Sizes: 2XS to 2XL
  • Frameset: Canyon Grail AL with Canyon One One Four SLX Disc carbon forks
  • Groupset: Shimano 105
  • Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB
  • Tyres: 40mm Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE
  • Saddle: Selle Italia X3 Canyon Edition
  • Handlebars: Canyon HB50 Gravel
  • £1,249 / €1,399 / $1,799 / AU$2,049

Grail AL 7.0 WMN

The Canyon Grail WMN 7.0 comes in an eye-catching copper shade - Canyon
  • Sizes: 2XS to M
  • Frameset: Canyon Grail AL with Canyon One One Four SLX Disc carbon forks
  • Groupset: Shimano 105
  • Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB
  • Tyres: 40mm Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE
  • Saddle: Selle Italia X1 Lady Flow
  • Handlebars: Canyon HB50 Gravel
  • £1,249 / €1,399 / $1,799 / AU$2,049

Grail AL 7.0 SL

The Grail AL 7.0 SL is the range-topper - Canyon
  • Sizes: 2XS to 2XL
  • Frameset: Canyon Grail AL with Canyon One One Four SLX Disc carbon forks
  • Groupset: SRAM Rival/XG with 10 - 42t cassette
  • Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB
  • Tyres: 40mm Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE
  • Saddle: Selle Italia X3 Canyon Edition
  • Handlebars: Canyon HB50 Gravel
  • £1,349 / €1,499 / $1,899 / AU$2,199

Aoife Glass

Digital Strategist, BBC Wildlife Magazine

Aoife is an experienced journalist, editor and podcaster with a background in science communication and a passion for the environment and adventure, particularly when it’s by bike! Prior to joining BBC Wildlife she worked as a freelance writer for the likes of Red Bull, Trek Bicycles, MBUK and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots amongst others. Before that she was women’s editor on BikeRadar and deputy editor on Total Women’s Cycling, and before that she worked at the Natural History Museum in London. She loves mountain biking, gravel riding and road cycling, and has tested a huge amount of cycling and adventure kit and bikes. Her first degree was in geology, so be prepared to have interesting rock features pointed out to you. She’s currently studying for a masters in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development and working on the Spindrift Podcast which she produces and hosts. @Silverstrange
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