Canyon Launches Third-Generation Grail Gravel Bike with 57mm Tyre Clearance and Race-Optimised Aerodynamics

Canyon has unveiled the third generation of its Grail gravel race bike, a significant evolution that increases tyre clearance from 42mm to 57mm and enables the use of 2.25-inch tyres. The redesign also reworks the bike’s aerodynamics specifically for the larger tyre sizes and the typical 35km/h speeds seen in gravel racing, reflecting how much the discipline has matured since the first Grail appeared.

Pro and Amateur Needs Converge on the New Grail

Canyon highlights that the gap between professional and amateur gravel requirements has narrowed considerably. The design was heavily influenced by gravel pro Rosa Klöser, who made clearance above 50mm a condition when discussing joining Canyon’s roster. That stipulation drove several engineering decisions, including a 1x-only drivetrain configuration and a solid driveside chainstay to provide sufficient clearance – a first for Canyon.

The frame uses a PF86 bottom bracket, chosen for its combination of tyre clearance, stiffness, and reliability compared to the BSA thread-in-carbon approach Canyon previously used, which the company says can suffer from bonding issues.

Context helps illustrate how fast gravel racing has become: Canyon notes that Ted King’s winning time for the men’s 2018 Unbound 200 was 10 hours 44 minutes, while Mads Würtz Schmidt won the same race in 2026 in 9 hours 14 minutes despite muddy conditions. King rode a Cannondale SuperX with 38mm tyres; Schmidt used a Specialized Crux 5 with 50mm tyres.

Race-Pace Aerodynamics Tested Against the Competition

Canyon tuned the Grail’s aerodynamics using its pedalling mannequin across yaw angles up to ±20 degrees, testing in the GST wind tunnel against the Factor Ostro Gravel, Cervélo Aspero-5, and Rose Backroad FF. With identical 50mm-deep wheels and 45mm tyres, the new Grail came out fastest.

Against the second-generation Grail running 40mm tyres, the new model is up to 5 watts faster at race pace, and it remains quicker even when fitted with the maximum 55mm tyres. This matters because wider tyres are no longer just a comfort concession – they’re a speed advantage at gravel-race speeds.

The frame is available in three carbon grades. Canyon quotes raw size-M frame weights of 989g for the CFR, 1,095g for the CF SLX, and 1,128g for the CF. While the CF is heavier than its predecessor, Canyon argues the extra tyre clearance and aero profiles make it faster in real-world conditions.

All specs ship with 45mm Schwalbe G-One tyres as standard, though Canyon positions this as a baseline for riders who want to go wider. The CFR and CF SLX include in-frame storage, while the CF SLX and CF can accommodate Canyon’s Defend mudguards.

New Pace Cockpit with Control Drops

Geometry changes are minimal since the gen 2 Grail’s handling was well received: Canyon added 10mm to the wheelbase to accommodate the wider tyres while preserving the same handling dynamics. Mid-sized frames have a 71.5-degree head tube angle and 69mm trail, which the company says lets its sponsored athletes push harder through technical sections.

The stack has been lowered by 15mm, reach remains unchanged, and shorter stems are fitted. There’s no suspension fork option – Canyon says wider tyres eliminate the need.

The CFR and CF SLX receive Canyon’s Pace variable-width, adjustable-height cockpit, now with a new Control Drops shape offering 17 degrees of flare and 370mm, 395mm, or 420mm widths. Four drop shapes are available in total (Classic, Race, Compact, Control), each adjusting effective reach by 10mm. The Gear Groove system continues for bar extensions, lights, or computers.

Canyon has also ported over the VCLS Aero seatpost from the new Endurace CFR, claiming 25% more compliance than a rigid post. For dedicated racers, the Endurace CFR’s Race cockpit is compatible with the Grail.

Lightweight Cyclite Luggage for Fast Feed-Station Changes

Working with Cyclite, Canyon designed low-weight luggage that avoids any aero penalty – a shift from the gen 2 approach, where luggage contributed to aero performance. The priority was fast removal and attachment so ground crews can swap packs quickly at feed stations.

The new Midloader frame bag weighs around 100g, down from 300g on the previous generation. It uses a push-to-release mechanism instead of the former Fidlock system and includes internal organisers. A different bag size matches each frame size, with a matching top tube bag for lighter loads.

Canyon GR 50 CF Carbon Gravel Wheels

Canyon has introduced its own carbon gravel wheels to complement the new Grail. The Canyon GR 50 CF wheels weigh 1,675g per pair and feature a 27mm internal / 38.5mm external width hookless rim on DT Swiss 350 hubs with Aerocomp II spokes. They ship with an HG11 freehub and include an XDR freehub and valves; Micro Spline is also available.

The wheels come pre-fitted on the CF 7 AXS and CF SLX 7 Di2 specs and are available aftermarket for €999. Canyon is also offering 10% off the new wheels for anyone who bought a Canyon gravel bike with alloy wheels in the last three years.

Pirelli-Powered Tyre Pressure Calculator

As tyre pressures decrease, small variations have a larger effect on performance, making correct pressure critical. Canyon says many riders are still over-inflating their gravel tyres and has partnered with Pirelli to build a customisable pressure calculator. It recommends 20% tyre sag as optimal for gravel tyres, though acknowledging that’s hard for riders to assess by feel.

New Canyon Grail Specs and Prices

Canyon will sell the Grail in seven sizes (2XS to 2XL), fitting riders from 158cm to 204cm. Six specs are available, with EMEA buyers able to use MyCanyon for four additional colourways, alternative wheelsets including Zipp 303 XPLR SW and Scope Artech 4G, different cockpit dimensions, saddles, crank lengths, and chainring sizes including aero options. MyCanyon customisation is planned for other geographies in future.

Grail CFR AXS

• Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR AXS w/ dual-sided power meter
• Wheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1100 50mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RS Pro 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon Pace bar with Control drops
• Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo X1
• Claimed weight: 7.9kg
• Price: £7,600 / $8,999 / €8,000

Grail CFR Di2

• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX825 Di2 w/ 4iiii single-sided power meter
• Wheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1100 50mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RS Pro 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon Pace bar with Control drops
• Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo X1
• Claimed weight: 8.4kg
• Price: £6,200 / $7,999 / €6,500

Grail CF SLX 8 AXS

• Groupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS w/ single-sided power meter
• Wheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1400 50mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon Pace bar with Control drops
• Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo X3
• Claimed weight: 8.9kg
• Price: £4,799 / $5,999 / €4,999

Grail CF SLX 7 Di2

• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX715 Di2
• Wheelset: Canyon GR 50 CF 50mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon Pace bar with Control drops
• Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo X3
• Claimed weight: 9.5kg
• Price: £3,899 / $4,999 / €3,999

Grail CF 7 AXS

• Groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS
• Wheelset: Canyon GR 50 CF 50mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon CP0039
• Saddle: Selle Royal SRX
• Claimed weight: 9.1kg
• Price: £3,499 / $4,299 / €3,499

Grail CF 7

• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX610 mechanical
• Wheelset: Newmen Advanced G.34 28″ CL
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R 45mm
• Cockpit: Canyon CP0039
• Saddle: Selle Royal SRX
• Claimed weight: 9.2kg
• Price: £2,499 / $3,499 / €2,499

Canyon’s third-generation Grail makes a clear statement: gravel racing has outgrown the cosy-niche phase. With 57mm clearance, aero tuning at race speed, and pro-influenced geometry, the new Grail is built for where the sport is now, not where it was.

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