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Like it, or loathe it, Canyon’s Grail brought some fresh ideas to gravel bikes with its funky Double-decker handlebars. The standard Grail CF underwent a refresh for 2020 and the 2021 model range sees the greatest evolution yet for the gravel range. If you know your Canyon’s you’ll know that the ON label tells you it’s an eBike.
Who’s it for?
Manufacturers often market their eBikes claiming they’ll help you explore and ride further than ever before. I’m certain many of you have felt this is contradicted by the effective range offered. Canyon have other ideas, the Grail:ON is designed whisk you out of the city and maximise your quick blast.
Wave goodbye and escape the city!
What’s new?
The Grail:ON isn’t just a standard Grail with a fat downtube, there are a raft of changes to take advantage of, and tame the electrical assistance:
- Longer wheelbase & chainstays for increased stability (+20mm)
- Clearance for 700 x 50mm Schwalbe G-One Bite tyres (+10mm)
- Progressive MTB style Short stem & wide bars (75mm & 440mm on an M)
- Increased stack to reach ratio to give a more upright position
- DT Swiss HG wheelsets featuring stronger spokes and hub internals
- Rear Boost hub spacing to increase clearances and optimise the chainline
- Extra clearance to accommodate up to 180mm brake rotors
- Custom mudguards & mounts to keep you clean while avoiding the dreaded toe-overlap
The powerpack
The Grail:ON is fitted with the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 motor. It tops out with 85Nm of torque, so when turbo-mode is engaged riders could see a 340% boost to their power! As with all good eBikes the power is fed in progressively as the rider ups their output. The system offers four modes, Turbo, Sport, Tour & Eco. Turbo and Sport emphasise responsiveness while Tour and Eco provide a steady delivery regardless of your cadence. The battery has a 500wh capacity and can be removed from the bike for charging. Handy if you want to sneakily charge it in the office, or if your bike store lacks power. The supplied Bosch compact charger takes 8hrs to charge the battery from empty. By investing in an aftermarket fast-charger you’ll see those times slashed to under 3 hrs. That’s great news if you want make full use of the Turbo setting, but remember, as with all road-legal eBikes the Grail cuts assistance once you’ve passed 25kph.
In no time you’ll be shredding the trails!
Something for everyone!
Canyon have used their resources to optimise the Grail:ON for as many riders as possible. There are a staggering SEVEN frame sizes available. The smallest three sizes come fitted with 650b wheels while the rest take full-size 700c hoops. Canyon’s shock-absorbing VCLS 2.0 seatpost and unique bi-plane Double-decker bars return to set the grail apart from its rivals and dampen trail-buzz. The Grail:ON CF 7 WMN will match the spec of the CF7 model but with contact points optimised for women.
You can’t mistake the double decker for any other cockpit combo!
The Grail:ON range
The Grail:ON comes in four spec levels and all models feature the same carbon frameset, Bosch motor & battery, Double-decker cockpit, VCLS seatpost and colour schemes. It’s the drivetrain and wheelset specification that sets them apart.
Grail:ON CF7 & CF7 WMN
- £4699 / 4999€ / $5199
- Shimano GRX RX600
- DT Swiss HG 1800 Spline DB wheelset
- Fizik Argo Tempo R5 saddle
- Cloud grey, Discovery blue or Rosewood red paint
- 17.1kg
Grail: ON CF8
- £4999 / 5299€ / $5449
- Shimano GRX RX800
- DT Swiss HG 1800 Spline DB wheelset
- Fizik Argo Tempo R5 saddle
- Cloud grey or Discovery blue paint
- 16.7kg
Grail: ON CF8 ETAP
- £5699 / 5999€ / $6149
- SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD
- DT Swiss HG 1400 Spline DB wheelset
- Fizik Argo Tempo R3 saddle
- Cloud grey or Discovery blue paint
- 15.9kg
For more details and to buy a Grail:ON head over to CANYON.COM
Take in the beautiful vista with less sweat in your eyes!
Last modified: 22nd July 2020
