Canyon has added to its gravel bike line-up, unveiling the all-new Grizl. With the new bike, the brand has aimed to cater to a wider gravel and bikepacking loving audience, kitting the bike with further modularity and customisation. 

After the release of the Grail back in 2018, with its eye-catching Double Decker handlebar, the brand has recognised that the spectrum of gravel riders is nearly as wide as that of mountain bikers. To fill the newly found gap Canyon has developed the Grizl a true do-it-all gravel bike.

The new bike offers more modularity and the opportunity for riders to customise the bike to their own needs, says the brand.

2021 Grizl CF SL TT bosses.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL TT bosses (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

This has been done thanks to the brand’s partnership with Apidura. The collaboration has resulted in a range of tailored frame bags that are designed to be waterproof, rugged, and lightweight. They also allow riders to tailor the bike’s kit carrying potential to the ride at hand, be it a quick blast through the local or a massive 200-mile race.

2021 Grizl CF SL Downtube.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL Downtube (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Canyon has also noticed a trend in riders ‘underbiking’ themselves, adding spicy technical sections to their usual gravel routes. To keep up with the ever more demanding trails, the brand has kitted the Grizl with fat 45mm tubeless-ready rubber as standard. Even then, there’s space left for up to a 50mm wide tyre if you’re looking at getting extra rowdy.

2021 Grizl CF SL riding.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL riding (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Grizl comes in two platform levels, the Grizl CF SL and the CF SLX, the former being the entry, rough-and-ready bike while the latter being the super lightweight, 950g framed rig.

Both platform levels get full internal cable routing, including routing for a dropper post. The bike is also compatible with both 2x or 1x drivetrains with Shimano GRX or Campagnolo Ekar groupsets available from release.

2021 Grizl CF SL loaded.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL loaded (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

All of the models in the Grizl range use the tried and tested Gravel Pro geometry of the much-loved Grail and there are seven sizes available, from, 2XS to 2XL. However, the 2XS and XS sizes run 650b wheels in a bit to optimize the ride for smaller riders. The rest of the sizes roll on 700c hoops.

Canyon has also kitted the Grizl with larger, 160mm brake rotors to offer more power when the bike is loaded, however if that’s not enough, the bike can accommodate up to 180mm rotors. It’s important to note though, the bike won’t work with 140mm brakes.

2021 Grizl CF SL saddle pack.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL saddle pack (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The brand believes that if a gravel bike comes with the option of 650b or 700c wheels, there has had to be some sacrifice made to the bikes geometry, and that’s just not Canyon’s style.

On the subject of geometry, the Grizl sees a 72.25° head angle, a 73.5° seat tube angle, a 402mm reach (on a medium), and a 1037mm wheelbase.

2021 Grizl CF SL TT + frame bag.jpg
2021 Grizl CF SL TT + frame bag (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The entry-level Grizl CF SL’s prices start at £2,200 and go up to £2,950 and the Grizl CF SLX will set you back from £4,900 up to £5,000. All models of the new bike are available from today.

We’ve managed to wrangle a Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 in for testing before release, see what Matt thinks of the new bike in his full review here.

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