Canyon Grizl Review: Refined Gravel Platform With Suspension and Dynamo Options

Introduction

The Canyon Grizl has been fully updated, and the new generation is best understood as a careful refinement rather than a clean-sheet redesign. Everything that made the previous model a straightforward recommendation has been retained, with improvements concentrated in the areas that matter most to riders who mix fast country lanes with loose, rough tracks.

The bigger story is the breadth of the range. Buyers can now choose between a rigid carbon fork and a short-travel suspension fork, and there is a dedicated adventure build with an integrated dynamo lighting and charging system. That turns the Grizl from a single well-rounded gravel bike into a platform that can be configured for fast gravel racing, mixed-surface day rides, or fully unsupported long-distance events.

Who the Canyon Grizl Is For

The Grizl suits riders who want one bike that handles a wide range of surfaces without feeling specialised to the point of being awkward. It is a natural fit for gravel riders who spend time on country lanes, bridleways and byways within the same ride, and who value stability and comfort over an aggressive race position.

The adventure-focused build extends that idea further. Riders planning multi-day bikepacking trips, or long unsupported events where mains power is hundreds of kilometres away, are the clearest audience for the dynamo-equipped version. The optional aero handlebar with time trial extensions is aimed at ultra-distance riders who want another position to rest their upper body during long hours in the saddle.

Frame Updates and Tire Clearance

Tire clearance has grown to 54 mm, which leaves room for the big, chunky tires some riders prefer and even allows a mountain bike tire to be fitted. There are also more mounts for cargo capacity and bottles, and both fenders and racks will fit.

The geometry has been refined and pushed a step further from the previous bike, with the aim of making the Grizl more capable off road. Cable routing is semi-internal: the brake hoses run from a regular handlebar and stem setup into the top cap of the headset and then into the frame. Other practical details include an external seat clamp, a round 27.2 mm seat post, and a regular 1 1/8 inch steerer tube. The bottom bracket remains press fit.

Both builds also include internal frame storage, with a hatch in the down tube for spare parts, inner tubes and a pump. A mounting system along the top tube accepts an optional frame bag. The new Grizl uses a single carbon fibre frame rather than the tiered carbon layups offered on some other models in the range.

Suspension Fork Option

The original gravel build, referred to as the OG, can be ordered with a rigid carbon fork or with the new DT Swiss F132 suspension fork. That fork provides 40 mm of travel, its air pressure can be adjusted for different rider weights, and a rebound adjuster dial sits on the outside of the leg.

On the road, the 45 mm tires are not the fastest rolling option and they are noticeably noisy, though tire choice is always a compromise across surfaces. Off road on dry, loose and scabby ground the tires make far more sense, and the suspension fork keeps the ride smooth over roots and rougher sections. The split seat post also does a good job of keeping impact out of the rider.

The trade-off is familiar. A suspension fork adds weight and complexity and gives up some of the simplicity and purity of a rigid gravel bike. In return it brings more comfort, less upper body fatigue over long distances, and more control on rough trails. The main practical concern is the short service interval of around 50 hours on the DT Swiss fork.

Eclipse Dynamo Lighting and Charging

The Escape version of the Grizl is built around the new Eclipse system, and it arrives with a distinctive camouflage paint finish. A dynamo front hub draws roughly three watts of drag, which is negligible in practice, and it powers front and rear lights integrated into the bike.

A battery inside the down tube stores charge and keeps the lights running even when the rider stops pedalling. There is also a USB-C port for powering a computer or charging a phone, a power bank, or other devices needed during a long event. The concept has some similarity to other integrated lighting systems on the market, but the dynamo is what sets this one apart, and it makes a great deal of sense for the kind of riding the bike is intended for.

That intent is fully self-sufficient riding, far from mains power. It is a natural match for an 800 kilometre unsupported event or a two-week bikepacking trip across Europe, where lighting and device charging need to come from the bike itself.

Groupsets, Wheels, and Build Options

The OG build pairs a 1x13 drivetrain with a regular handlebar and stem. In this configuration it uses a SRAM Rival XPLR groupset and DT Swiss G1800 wheels, and it retails for around £3,300. The 13-speed cassette covers a 10-46 range, and the hoods and brake levers are comfortable and easy to use. The one omission is the extra shift buttons on the hoods, which some riders will miss on long climbs.

The Escape build moves to a Shimano GRX 1x12 mechanical groupset with a mountain bike cassette, which brings bigger gearing for steeper hills and tougher terrain. It runs 45 mm Schwalbe G-One Overland performance tires and lighter DT Swiss G1600 wheels, and it retails for around $4,000.

There is also an optional handlebar with integrated time trial extensions. It adds an aerodynamic position and, more importantly for many riders, another place to rest the arms and relieve pressure from the hoods and drops during long nights on the bike.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The suspension fork is the biggest decision. It delivers real comfort and control benefits off road, but it also brings weight, complexity and a service interval measured in tens of hours rather than seasons.

Riders who want the lightest, simplest possible gravel bike may prefer the rigid carbon fork. Those who prioritise comfort and control on rough trails will get more from the suspension version.

It is also worth thinking about fit. The suspension fork raises the front end, and the setup uses a short stem with a wide, flared handlebar, which creates a relaxed position. Reach to the hoods is neither cramped nor stretched, and the front end sits quite high with a number of spacers under the stem. That is a good starting point for fun gravel riding and it helps when descending, but riders who want a longer, lower, racier position may want to adjust it.

Finally, the semi-internal routing keeps a conventional handlebar and stem while still running the hoses into the frame, and the press fit bottom bracket remains a point some riders have opinions about.

Buying Advice

The right Grizl depends on the riding you actually do. For mixed-surface riding with an emphasis on simplicity and lower weight, the OG build with the rigid carbon fork is the straightforward choice. If comfort and control on rough terrain matter more, the suspension fork version earns its place, provided the service interval is acceptable.

For riders planning long unsupported events or multi-week bikepacking trips, the Escape build with the Eclipse dynamo system is the most coherent option. Integrated lighting, stored charge and a USB-C port remove a genuine logistical problem from long-distance riding.

Across the range, the value proposition looks strong. A carbon frame with a suspension fork and a drivetrain of this standard at around £3,300, and a dynamo-equipped adventure build at around $4,000, is a lot of bike for the money.

Conclusion

The new Grizl is a safe but well executed update. It keeps everything that worked before, adds useful tire clearance and mounting options, refines the geometry, and opens up suspension and dynamo configurations that suit very different kinds of gravel riding. It remains an easy bike to recommend, particularly when the price and equipment are taken into account.