Parts carrier ride test: Arc8 Eero vs. Canyon Grizl

Arc8 Eero

The founders of the still young Arc8 brand, developer Jonas Müller and industrial designer Serafin Pazdera, seem like the opposite of market criers. Both have been making their mark in the industry for some time, including with a renowned Swiss racing bike brand and leading production facilities in the Far East. The now independent duo offer their services on a website. As a taster, they present a clear portfolio of high-end sports bikes, including the Escapee road racer, which we were able to test in 2022. However, you hardly ever see the own brand in shops and the relevant online shops, and you have to look for marketing activities with a magnifying glass. Instead, the company relies on traditional word-of-mouth advertising, small events and the self-promotion effect of social media.

As the name suggests, the Eero gravel bike comes with aero shapes and a decidedly sporty look. You can love or hate the dusky pink and blackberry colour scheme, but apart from that, the bike looks like many all-round competition bikes these days without wheels: Graceful, as if cast from a single mould, but also no longer particularly exciting. The combination with the 47 millimetre thick tyres, on the other hand, looks kind of funny. And to be clear, it rides like one too. The fact that the Arc8 leaves a lasting impression is largely due to the "extra-wide" Cinturato Gravel Tubeless tyres from Pirelli. It surprises from the very first pedal strokes with smooth, easy running on tarmac, shines on firm, dry surfaces and has a minimum of grip on loose ground or mud thanks to its side lugs. The pressure range is large and can fall below two bar at medium weights.

• Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes
• Stack/Reach/STR: 582/369 mm, 1.58
• Maximum tyre clearance: 50 millimetres (650B)
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL (test size bold)
• Prices: 2599 Euro (frame set)

The riding position is not extremely sporty, rather neutral, the handling is optimised for the thick tyres and wonderfully balanced. This makes the bike ideal for longer tours and travelling, especially as the seat post, stem and handlebars are simple and easy to adjust mass-produced parts. The 2x12 gearing of the new Shimano GRX installed on the bike is also suitable for travelling: The ability to shift gears in fine increments from below walking speed to well over 50 km/h is still a convincing argument - as is the mechanical gear shifting, which is somewhat more complicated to operate but technically easy to understand.

Strictly speaking, the combination we rode shouldn't even exist, as Shimano officially only allows the front derailleur up to a tyre width of 42 millimetres - a dimension that would only make the Eero half as much fun. However, the bike has been specially designed with the aim of pairing double chainrings with the widest possible tyres. Up to 50 millimetres should be possible, but probably on smaller 27.5-inch wheels (650B). Our 47-millimetre tyres cause problems in extreme cases: With heavier riders, the tyre grinds close to the front derailleur cage when pedalling on the small blade; in mud at the latest, the narrow section could become critical.

But that's the only thing that could be criticised about the design of the Arc8 Eero. If you have other preferences, you can think from the ground up: Initially, the bike will only be sold as a frameset (with stem, handlebars and seatpost) for 2599 euros. Our test bike with aluminium rims from DT Swiss is likely to end up at a good 4000 euros.

Canyon Grizl Apex XPLR

After the Grail, the first gravel bike from Canyon, the Koblenz-based company presented another off-road platform two years ago: the Grizl. In contrast to the sporty Grail, whose striking double handlebars triggered heated (taste) discussions among racing cyclists, the Grizl was intended to appeal to a wider audience as a comparatively uncomplicated model. And the plan seems to have worked. The carbon models are regularly sold out in the online shop - and can often be seen on gravel or forest tracks. But why is the gravel bike from the German mail order company and manufacturer so popular?

First of all, the Grizl scores with attractive prices. The cheapest carbon version (CF SL) has become 300 euros more expensive since its market launch and is no longer available for less than 2000 euros. However, Canyon now also offers aluminium-based models from 1799 euros. The most expensive version in high-quality carbon (CF SLX) and suspension fork costs 5299 euros.

• Weight: 8.6 kilogrammes
• Stack/Reach/STR: 595/395 millimetres/1.51
• Maximum tyre clearance: 50 millimetres
• Sizes: 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL (test size bold)
• Prices: 1799-2499 Euro (AL), 2299-3499 Euro (CF SL), 4599-5299 Euro (CF SLX)

As in the first TOUR test of the Grizl the model provided by SRAM impresses with its all-round characteristics. The Canyon with its comparatively sporty riding position cuts a fine figure both on tarmac and off-road. Mounts for a third bottle cage under the down tube, a top tube bag or a fork rack equip the bike for adventure. With mudguards, it also makes a reliable commuter bike.

In contrast to the standard model, which we had hanging on the scales in various versions (CF SL) weighing just over nine kilograms, the exclusive parts carrier impresses with its agile handling. The reason: SRAM fitted exclusive carbon wheels from Zipp, a subsidiary brand of the US gear specialist, to the frame. Thanks to the low weight of the 303 S (1380 grams, 1100 euros), the Grizl accelerates like much more expensive gravel bikes. The fact that the Grizl only has a mediocre weight in the tested configuration is due to the relatively heavy Apex XPLR.

In terms of suspension comfort, the model, which is not commercially available, does not quite come close to the standard version. The carbon Zipp dropper post in combination with the 42 millimetre wide Teravail tyres, which are also part of the SRAM cosmos, provides plenty of suspension and is by no means uncomfortable. However, the leaf spring support fitted to almost all Grizl carbon models and the slightly wider tyres on the standard wheels provide better damping. Like the Arc8, the Canyon also offers space for up to 50 millimetre tyres, although there is no need to switch to the smaller 650B wheel size.