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Canyon vs. Rose - Adventurous
After the close test results in the competition and marathon class, it should come as no surprise that Canyon and Rose are also on an equal footing in the gravel bike segment. The number of different equipment options alone shows how important off-road bikes have become in the portfolio of the two largest mail order companies in Germany.
Both manufacturers offer almost 20 models each of Grizl and Backroad, which are among the best-selling bikes with curved handlebars. Together with the sportier Grail model, the first gravel bike from the Koblenz-based company, Canyon even has almost 30 models for use on gravel tracks and easy trails.
According to the manufacturer, the most popular bikes available during the test period are the Grizl CF SL 7 eTap and the Backroad Rival eTap, with the Rose coming out of the duel as the narrow winner. The Backroad earned a tenth better TOUR score thanks to its lower overall weight. Compared to the Grizl, it weighs 250 grams less, which is due to the lighter, in-house aluminium wheelset.
Details of the Canyon Grizl in the picture gallery
The framesets of both models are on a par apart from a few grams difference. At around nine kilos, they are on a par with comparable mid-range models.
Somewhat surprisingThe Grizl is only slightly ahead of the Backroad in terms of suspension comfort. Although it absorbs impacts a little better at the rear thanks to the tried-and-tested leaf spring seatpost, the Rose counteracts this effectively with its extended carbon seatpost and more comfortably tuned front end. However, the Grizl offers more reserves on rough terrain, taking up to 50 millimetre wide tyres on the standard 28-inch wheels.
A maximum of 47 millimetre tyres fit through the fork and frame of the Backroad, but these require a change to smaller 650B wheels. Ex works, the 28-inch wheels stop at 45 millimetres.
The greater tyre clearance of the Canyon, which is the newer model compared to the Rose, fits in somewhat better with the overall concept: after all, the comparatively robust gravel bikes are suitable for bikepacking, not least thanks to numerous mounting points for luggage and special drive systems with gear reductions, which also take challenging terrain under the tyres. On the other hand, both bikes have a relatively sporty riding position (STR 1.50); specialists for long gravel adventures are characterised by an STR ratio from around 1.55.
The Grizl and Backroad also show their sportier side when it comes to steering behaviour and are just as direct on asphalt as a marathon bike. The duo earned top marks in the TOUR test lab for stiffness, although the frame and fork of the Rose performed a shade better. Both the Grizl CF SL 8 eTap and the Backroad Rival eTap are among the best gravel bikes in TOUR's test history, and both models are also fairly priced.
Details of the Rose Backroad in the picture gallery
In the end, details and individual preferences are likely to be the deciding factors in favour of which bike you choose. The best example of such details - even on gravel bikes - is the topic of system integration. While many find the Rose's tidy cockpit a success, others will welcome the Canyon's easier maintenance and handlebar adjustment thanks to external cables.
In the extensive product range of both manufacturers, you have the choice between aluminium and carbon frames or single and double drivetrains from Campagnolo, Shimano or SRAM. Canyon's specialities include six models with Rock Shox suspension forks, Rose's two randonneurs with lights and mudguards and the Backroad Classified, which offers a huge range of gear ratios thanks to the combination of hub and derailleur gears.
The Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 eTap in detail
- Price: 3299 Euro
- Weight: 9,2 Kilo
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1043/509/55 grammes
- Frame sizes** XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 520/565/138 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 594/396 millimetres/1.50
- Wheelbase/caster 1035/64 millimetres
Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 eTap - Equipment
- Drive/gear shift SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.)
- Brakes SRAM Rival (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss G 1800 Spline/Schwalbe G-One Bite 45 mm (front/rear: 1857/2400 g)
>> The Grizl gets an overall TOUR score of 1.8
The Rose Backroad Rival eTap in detail
- Price: 3299 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 9,0 Kilo
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1103/451/91 grammes
- Frame sizes** 47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62
- Seat/top tube/head tube 520/570/149 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 588/393 millimetres/1.50
- Wheelbase/caster 1040/68 millimetres
Rose Backroad Rival eTap - Equipment
- Drive/Circuit SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.)
- Brakes SRAM Rival (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Rose G-Thirty/WTB Raddler TCS Light 44 mm (front/rear: 1729/2268 g)
>> The Backroad gets an overall TOUR score of 1.7
*Weighed weights
**Manufacturer information, test size bold.
***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
