Canyon Grizl in the endurance test: Interim conclusion after 2000 kilometres

The Canyon Grizl CF8 w/Eclips has become a real long-term favourite for me. Rarely have I put so many kilometres on a long-term test bike so quickly. This is partly due to the high commuting load of 62 kilometres four times a week, and partly due to the versatility of Canyon's gravel bike. Over the winter months in particular, I used the Grizl with lights and mudguards for training rides and relaxed weekend rides. The bike had to put up with everything from heavy rain to snow and from road salt to dust. Winter is over, the bike season has begun. After 2000 kilometres, the carbon gravel bike has to face an interim report. No mercy for the calf - or in this case for the Canyon Grizl!

The most important information about the Canyon Grizl CF8 w/Eclips

• Application: Gravel bike
• Price: 3999 Euro
• Tested accessories: Canyon Defend Grizl Fast Fender mudguards (€ 119.95), Canyon Load front pannier rack (€ 39.95), Canyon Load FidLock QuickLoader (€ 139.95)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Fork material: Carbon
• Weight: 9.9 kg (BIKE measurement size XL incl. Eclips system, without pedals and other accessories)
• Special features: Eclips lighting and battery system incl. hub dynamo, Full Mounty cockpit, Canyon VCLS leaf spring seatpost

Equipment

• Shifting: Shimano GRX RD-RX822, 1x12
• Gear ratio: 40 / 10-51 (510%)
• Brakes: Shimano GRX BL-RX820, 160/160 mm
• Wheels: DT Swiss GR 1600 Spline incl. Son 29S hub dynamo
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Overland Performance, 45 mm
• Lighting: Lupine C14 / SF AL Nano

Comfort, stability and suitability for everyday use

In practical use, it quickly became clear that the Canyon Grizl CF8 W/Eclips is designed more for comfort, stability and suitability for everyday use than for maximum dynamics. Although the carbon frame generally ensures a comparatively low weight, accessories, luggage and lighting significantly increase the overall weight. This makes the bike feel less lively than classic sporty gravel bikes, especially in city traffic or on longer journeys to work. The Grizl really comes into its own in difficult conditions. On wet gravel, dirty cycle paths or loose surfaces, the bike provides a high level of safety. The stable geometry and the relatively wide tyres ensure that potholes, branches or gravel passages are filtered away with ease.

The Canyon Grizl CF8 ESC w/Eclips is aimed at riders who not only want to use their gravel bike for sporty tours, but also as a reliable everyday bike. With a hub dynamo, integrated lighting system and optional accessories such as mudguards or front carrier, the concept clearly follows the idea of a commuter bike that can be used all year round. In terms of equipment, Canyon relies on robust components suitable for touring. The Shimano GRX 1x12 drivetrain with a large cassette makes riding with luggage or steep climbs easier. The special "Full Mounty" cockpit was less convincing in the test. Although the handlebars offer additional grip positions and numerous mounting options, the practical benefits in everyday use remained limited. The concept may have advantages for extremely long tours, but the added value is rather limited on normal commuting routes. The many mounting options for bags and accessories emphasise the versatile character of the Canyon Grizl special model.

The Eclipse system

The integrated Lupine light system with powerful illumination and high beam function is particularly impressive on dark commuting routes; the so-called Eclips system combines hub dynamo and battery. This means that not only can the front and rear lights be operated, but external devices can also be charged via USB-C. This integration has advantages in everyday use, but the test also showed that the system requires some attention. If the battery is completely discharged, the energy from the dynamo alone is not enough to supply the powerful lighting with full power on a permanent basis. In addition, the battery status is primarily monitored via the smartphone app.

After the system repeatedly discharged seemingly at random during the test, we consulted the Canyon engineers. After extensive checks, they discovered that the automatic switch-off function on our test bike was faulty. They suspected the sensitive USB-C charging socket. A contact in the system wakes the Eclips technology from its slumber. Unfortunately, this contact can also be activated if, for example, humidity condenses on the socket. Uncontrolled switching on can then drain the battery after just one night's standstill. Canyon has long since reacted and is replacing problematic hardware on customer bikes. A software update for better energy management is also planned

Winter wear

There's no doubt about it: in the conditions to which the Canyon Grizl CF8 W/Eclips was exposed in the endurance test, sooner or later every wearing part will come to its knees. There are no real functional failures yet, but the wear on the chain, cassette and chainring is already visible after 2000 wet and muddy kilometres. The brake pads still have plenty of meat and the tyres did a good job even in winter despite the tame tread. Although Canyon adapts the Fid-Lock frame bag to different frame sizes, the fit is not as secure as with bags that are fastened with straps. I'm soon planning a big bikepacking trip through Tuscany with the Grizl. For the rough Italian hinterland, I will make use of the Canyon gravel bike's large tyre clearance and fit some really fat tyres. Stay tuned!

Conclusion

All in all, the Grizl CF8 ESC w/Eclips is a well thought-out gravel bike for people looking for a versatile all-season bike. Safety, lighting technology and suitability for everyday use are among the biggest plus points. On the other hand, those expecting a particularly light and aggressively sporty gravel bike may be bothered by the higher system weight and the rather sluggish handling. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor