After much deliberation I pulled the trigger on a Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 EKAR gravel bike. There are many firsts; it’s my first gravel bike, my first carbon frame and my first new bike purchase since 2008.
I bought it during Canyon’s World Bike Day Sale for $5,829 (was $6,599) making it the most expensive bike I’ve ever bought. I did really want a steel frame, and considered titanium too, mainly because I hate the fragility of carbon (ran some carbon handlebars on my MTB once, never again!). I also considered buying another Giant as I have a history with the brand and they’ve always been great value for money, but fuck me dead I’m glad it’s not another Giant! That said, Canyon are much like Giant in regards to being good value for money. They sell direct to consumer which explains how they’re able to be price competitive, but that also meant that I couldn’t test fit the bike before buying it as there are no local shops that stock Canyon bikes.
The Canyon web site bike fit tool suggested I buy an XS size bike based on my height and inseam. After much research it seems like Canyon bikes run large, and most people online have confirmed that buying a size smaller than usual is the right way to go. I was looking at a few of their 29’er MTB’s but sadly they replace the 29’er wheels with smaller wheels on smaller frames so that ruled out a lot of options.
The bike features a full new Campagnolo groupset. I considered Shimano’s wireless electronic shifting, and SRAM’s AXS electronic shifting too, but the thought of using batteries for shifting gears on a bicycle just doesn’t sit right with me. I hate wireless products and to this day I still use a wired mouse and keyboard and I hate batteries going dead on my TV and audio controllers.
The campy group is as rebellious as the paint job! I only wear black and only own black, white or grey things, so the idea of a full stealth black Canyon was always going to be a given, but something about buying a new bike, and being able to choose a colour made me open up to this wild “Blueberry Milkshake” colour scheme with tan-wall tyres.
Frame
Canyon Grizl CF SLX in XS
Axle dimension: 12×142 mm
Tyre Clearance: 50 mm
Material: Carbon
Weight: 950 g
Fork
Canyon FK0087 CF Disc
Axle dimension: 12×100 mm
Tyre Clearance: 54 mm
Material: Carbon
Weight: 518 g
Rear Derailleur
Campagnolo Ekar, 13-speed
Weight: 275 g
Cassette
Campagnolo Ekar, 13-speed, 10-44
Crank
Campagnolo Ekar 40T, 13-speed
Bottom Bracket
Campagnolo Pro-Tech Pressfit
Bottom bracket standard: PF 86,5
Weight: 50 g
Chain
Campagnolo Ekar C13 C-Link 13-speed
Shift/Brake Lever
Campagnolo Ekar Ergopower, 13-speed
Weight: 301 g
Brake Rotor
Campagnolo Ekar
Size: 160 mm
Weight: 157 g
Wheel
DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline db
Axle dimension: 12×100 mm
Rotor mount: Center Lock
Rim height: 42 mm
Rim material: Carbon
Weight: 750 g
Wheel
DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline db
Axle dimension: 12×142 mm
Rotor mount: Center Lock
Rim height: 42 mm
Weight: 863 g
Tyre
Schwalbe G-One Bite 45mm
Width: 45mm
Weight: 540 g
Thru Axle
Canyon Thru Axle
Axle dimension: 12×100 mm
Axle dimension: 12×142 mm
Stem
Canyon ST0035
Fork steer tube diameter: 1 1/4″
Clamping diameter: 31,8 mm
Handlebar
Canyon HB0064 Ergo
Clamping diameter: 31,8 mm
Width: 440 mm
Handlebar Tape
Canyon Ergospeed Gel
Saddle
Fizik Argo Terra X3
Weight: 238 g
Seatpost
Canyon S15 VCLS 2.0 CF
Material: Carbon
Setback: 13 mm / 25 mm
Technology: VCLS 2.0 | Fliphead
Weight: 220 g
Pedals
Canyon MTB Performance Flat Pedals
Size: 36-42
Weight: 380 g