Affordable gravel biking: We review the Canyon Grizl 5 for 1,299 euros

​The Canyon Grizl 5 marks the entry point into the Koblenz-based company’s gravel bike range. With a price tag of under 1,300 euros, it is clearly aimed at price-conscious gravel newcomers. The Grizl 5 has little in common with high-end race gravel bikes, some of which cost ten times as much. The focus is more on versatility and reliability than on a purely sporty design. But how much substance is there really behind this promise of versatility?

​Conclusion

Beginners looking for a sturdy, high-quality gravel bike at an attractive price – and perhaps fancying a leisurely cycling trip – should snap up the Canyon Grizl 5, even if it’s an older frame. Anyone who also uses their bike for sporting purposes should be prepared to spend a bit more. For them, the budget aluminium Grizl is likely to be simply too heavy. - Jan Timmermann, TOUR editor

Info: Canyon Grizl 5

• ​Intended use: Gravel
• Tyre width ex-works: 45 mm
• Maximum tyre clearance: 50 mm
• Frame material: aluminium
• Fork material: carbon
• Weight: 11.1 kg (size M, BIKE measurement excluding pedals)
• Maximum permissible system weight: 120 kg
• Price: 1,299 euros
• Special features: Top tube mounts, three bottle holders, luggage mounts on the fork, mount for a luggage rack and mudguards

Facilities

• Drivetrain: Shimano Cues (1 x 11), 40; 11–50
• Brakes: Shimano Cues, 180 / 160 mm
• Seatpost: Canyon VCLS
• Wheels: Alex Rims GVX24P
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One RX Performance 45 mm

Old frame, same purpose

Please note: Until recently, the Grizl 5 was still on display in the virtual shop window with a frame from the previous generation. The bike featured in this review is also not from the current range. This frame is now only available on the second-hand market, as Canyon recently upgraded even the most affordable Grizl to the latest aluminium frame. This is evident, for example, in the 50-millimetre tyre clearance, whereas the latest model can accommodate tyres as wide as 54 millimetres. Nevertheless, the character of the old and new bikes remains similar.

The Grizl is the direct-to-consumer retailer’s bikepacking and adventure gravel bike, designed more for long tours with luggage than for full-throttle rides. It features three bottle cage mounts on the frame and various mounting points for accessories. A nice touch: a carbon seatpost helps filter out vibrations from the road surface and is designed to enhance riding comfort.

A tough one

Whilst the frame has now been given a facelift, the spec of the Canyon Grizl 5 remains largely the same. In typical Canyon fashion, the package is competitively priced and functional. The wheels, fitted with Alex Rims rims, offer a generous inner width, ensuring that the Schwalbe tyres can sit wide. The Cues groupset on the Canyon Grizl 5 does away with a front derailleur, giving it a nice, modern look. However, it offers only 11 gears and therefore a limited range of gear ratios. Gravel cyclists looking to tackle significant elevation gains will miss having a heavier and a lighter gear.

Weighing in at 11.1 kilos in size M, Canyon’s aluminium gravel bike is on the heavy side. Given the price, this might be acceptable, but customers shouldn’t expect a light and nimble ride. In our experience, gravel bikes that really spark a desire for fast riding weigh at least two kilos less – which is quite a lot! The Canyon Grizl 5 is better suited to gravel cyclists who use their bike for commuting or want to take a leisurely ride over gentle terrain. This heavy gravel bike isn’t designed for setting record times.

Strengths and weaknesses

Pro

• an affordable, versatile gravel bike
• plenty of mounting points
• functional features

Cons

• old generation of frames
• heavy and sluggish
• concise translation

>> What do you think: is a gravel bike, for you, primarily a piece of sports equipment or a means of transport? Share your thoughts in the comments!