How to choose the best gravel bike: Your ultimate buying guide

The reasons to buy a gravel bike are as varied as the terrain you ride and deciding on which bike can be just as difficult as descending a steep and winding road. But it doesn’t have to be. This gravel bike buyer’s guide will help you figure out which gravel bike you should choose and why. 

Imagine if a road and mountain bike had a baby; odds are, it’d look like a gravel bike. Boasting wide tires, long wheelbases, and handling between an endurance road bike and an MTB, these rugged machines allow you to tackle mixed tarmac, dirt, and gravel surfaces with ease. Gravel bikes are designed for versatility, providing plenty speed on the road while offering the durability and stability needed for off-road adventures. Whether you're riding through gravel paths or navigating rough trails, a gravel bike is built to handle it all without compromising comfort or speed. 

For more than a decade, gravel riding has been one of the most popular segments of the bike industry. There’s something exciting about discovering a lonesome gravel road disappearing into a forest or up a mountain and thinking to yourself, “I’m going to follow it until it ends.” 

There are gravel races and events everywhere now and new riding groups full of friends you haven’t met yet, who are looking to explore forest roads and a never-ending series of gravel backroads too. Because gravel bikes are totally happy riding into town for the groceries, a coffee or a commute, a gravel bike may also be the most versatile bike you can own. We’ve really leaned into that with the latest Canyon gravel bikes too, making them the ultimate, adaptable freedom machines.

Gravel bikes generally offer comfort, versatility, and ruggedness, with Canyon boasting a few different options depending on the style of riding you enjoy and do most. 

The Grail is Canyon’s bike designed for gravel racing. The 42mm tire clearance isn’t as wide as what you’ll find on its more adventure-oriented siblings and cousins, but the Grail is lighter and designed to be faster, using aerodynamic tube shapes to cut through the wind on those wide-open gravel courses. The Grail also handles more responsively, which is an advantage when you’re riding in a pack and trying to avoid road obstacles. The Double Drop cockpit has integrated mounts for aero bars and there are aero bag options that will make your Grail even faster too. 

For the toughest mountain races or rad rides where you need big tyres and MTB suspension to get you through, the Exceed hardtail is an unstoppable choice. The Exceed’s light and efficient carbon frame (with components and handling to match), are packaged with full bikepacking mounts so you can keep race pace up day after day whatever the terrain. 

While not technically a gravel bike, the Inflite is a fast and agile cyclocross machine that can also serve as a gravel racer if you participate in both activities. 

If you’re looking for a do-it-all bike that’s as happy on the streets as it is exploring single trails, the Grizl OG is the one. Built around a lightweight but super tough carbon-fibre frame, the Grizl OG is a true freedom machine designed to make very ride fun. It comes with high-traction tyres as standard equipment and space to accomodate XC MTB rubber for really rough trails. However swap out the more rugged tires with some road slicks, and you can use the Grizl as your everyday road bike. Multiple cargo mounts, internal LOAD storage, bespoke bags, custom racks make carrying whatever you need easy, whether that’s for an overnight camp or drinks for the party. ECLIPS endless adventure power and RIFT suspension options mean the fun doesn’t stop when it gets dark or the trail gets super rough. 

Grizl Escape uses the same light-yet-tough, big tyre friendly carbon frame as the Grizl OG. The Escape also gets the same multiple cargo mounts, internal LOAD storage, bespoke bags, custom racks. Plus ECLIPS endless power and RIFT suspension options too. The radical Full Mounty ‘go far handlebar’ gives multiple hand and kit mounting options that lets the Escape truly live up to it’s name. Add extended-range “mullet” gears for the steepest mountains, heaviest loads and longest rides, plus tyres that are as fast and tough as the frame, and what you get with the Grizl Escape is a truly innovative, enabling explorer. 

If you’re bikepacking or looking for adaptable adventure on a tighter budget, then Grizl AL is perfect. The alloy frame makes it less expensive and means it can take a bit more of a beating around town or on top of a bus in Mongolia, but it still rides with real joy. 

If you spend most of your time on singletrack or exploring mountains and forests, Canyon’s Grand Canyon hardtail mountain bike is unmatched as a beefy bikepacking rig. Full cargo and lifestyle mounts, fast-but-tough MTB component choices and surefooted handling makes Grand Canyon the ultimate everywhere, everyday bike too. A full family size range from XXL to XXS means nobody gets left out of your adventures either.

If you want the extra power boost a gravel e-bike promises, then the Grizl:ONfly should be at the top of your list. Its Bosch Performance Line motor will help you power up the steepest hills and makes hitting faster speeds much easier than relying on your legs alone. This is one of the lightest and off-road capable e-bikes that you’ll find on the market today. It even offers integrated lights and theft protection, as well as smart navigation and fitness capabilities via the Bosch ConnectModule and Flow App. 

Decided which gravel bike type is right for you?   

Now it’s time to pick which exact model you need! Luckily, at Canyon we’ve got a logical naming system that makes it a bit easier.  

If you’ve browsed through a couple of our bikes, you’ll have seen that a typical Canyon gravel bike name might read something like ‘Grail CF SLX 8 Di2’ or ‘Grizl 5’, to use two examples.  

This is what it all means.  

In short – the higher the number in the name, the more premium the components.  

In general it’s important to remember: even on our most affordable gravel bikes, the standard of modern bike components is very high in terms of reliability and durability. That’s to say, even on a Grizl 5 you could ride across entire continents or around the entire globe (as long as you keep your gravel bike well maintained and looked after).  

However, on the higher-number bikes, the higher-quality components are significantly lighter, and feel more premium and more comfortable, which makes a major difference the more time you spend in the saddle.  

Example of upgrades you’ll see at higher levels include things like electronic gear shifting, carbon wheels, more premium tyres – all feel awesome and we can promise that upgrading to parts like these gives you a major boost in terms of speed and comfort. BUT: functionally, remember it’s nothing you absolutely need to take on epic rides and love them. 

In most cases, this refers to the frame material – CFR bikes using the world’s best carbon, CF SLX using high-end advanced carbon, and CF SL using high-quality carbon fibre. Of course, we tend to fit a higher spec of component onto the higher-end models.

Sometimes, you’ll see a bike name with an extra word or phrase added on the end, like Di2, AXS, RIFT, ECLIPS or AL. These words typically describe a standout feature or characteristic of the bike that makes it standout. 

For example, ‘Di2’ and ‘AXS’ refer to the electronic shifting systems of Shimano and SRAM that they feature, RIFT means it has a suspension fork to better manage rough roads and singletrack. ECLIPS stands for Endless Charge & Lighting Integrated Power System. A unique, innovative dynamo, battery, light, controller and USB-C output system that means you’ll never get left in the dark or have devices go flat on your adventures. AL refers to the bike’s alloy frame.

We recommend reading the short description on a bike’s product page for a clear idea of what the standout features of one of these bikes is. 

Consider these important elements when buying a gravel bike. The right setup can make all the difference on mixed terrain – whether you’re tackling smooth forest paths or rough, rocky trails. Key factors like wheels, tyres, suspension, gearing, drivetrain, weight, and handling all influence how your bike performs and feels on and off-road. 

Arguably the most important components on your gravel bike are your wheels and tires. They connect you with the road and can make a huge difference on both your speed and comfort. 

Gravel bikes’ wider forks give the needed clearance for wider wheels and tires. Most gravel bikes you see will have between 40-50 mm tires, generally the sweet spot that offers the best combination of road efficiency and off-road grip. The Grail comes with 40 mm tires standard, with clearance for 42 mm tires. The more-rugged Grizl rolls out of the factory with 45 mm tires, but allows up to 54 mm, allowing you to go nearly anywhere.

Consider setting up your tires tubeless; riding gravel means rolling over loose and often sharp rocks that can easily puncture a bike tube. Spend a little more time setting them up at home and you’ll spend a little less time fumbling about on the trail. When buying your new Canyon, be sure to also click on the tubeless kit and accessories you need for the conversion. 

Whether or not you need suspension depends on how and where you ride. If you pedal primarily on pea gravel with few roots or big rocks to ride over, then a carbon fork and seatpost should be enough to make the ride comfortable; adding a suspension fork would just add unneeded weight and complexity to the bike. But if you’re unafraid of taking your rig on singletrack or more gnarly roads, then a suspension fork may be a good idea. Bikes like the Grizl CF SLX 8 AXS Trail come equipped with the RockShox Rudy Ultimate 30 mm suspension fork, which helps smooth out bumpy rides and allows you to roll over small obstacles. 

Gravel bikers typically must choose between single- and double-chainring setups. If you spend a chunk of your time on the road, you need speed, in which case a 2x drivetrain is the perfect solution. The gaps between each gear on a 2x setup are smaller, so you won’t find yourself suddenly spinning or grinding during gear changes. 

On the other hand, rockier and loose terrain requires sudden changes in cadence, and a 1x setup is better suited for that. One chainring in the front and a big cassette in the back provides an ample gear rangeing for off-road riding. The gaps between the gears are wide ranging, so you’ll notice a bigger difference when you change up or down. 

Most 1x drivetrains are heralded for their simplicity and low-maintenance. It’s one less thing to go wrong when you only have one front chainring, which is helpful if you’re off the beaten track. Most 1x drivetrains have clutch rear derailleurs which help maintain chain tension. If your chain is bouncing around while you’re traversing a technical trail, the last thing you want to deal with is a dropped chain. 

Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX groupset offers both 1x and 2x setups, and SRAM’s 1x XPLR serves as its gravel offering. Shimano 1x configurations will likely have an 11-42 cassette paired with a 40 or 42-tooth chainring. SRAM 1 x will likely come with a 10-46T XPLR and a 40 tooth chainring. Grizl Escape bikes pair a 40 tooth gravel chainring with 10 - 52 tooth MTB cassettes for a mountain beating ‘mullet’ transmission.

On 2x setups, 48 and 31 tooth chainrings with an 11-34 cassette (standard on many Grail and Grizl models) are most common (We help you find the best option for your bike in out gravel bike gearing guide). 

If you plan to take your gravel bike out in the world, you’re going to need some gear. 

Created specifically for the Grail, the Canyon LOAD FidLock Quickloader bikepacking bags can be instantly attached and removed using a special clip system. Not only does it work perfectly with the frame, it also improves the bike’s aerodynamics. To ride fully prepared: equip your Grail with other purpose-built accessories including the internal downtube tool pack, extra bags, bottle cages, and more. 

The Grizl has multiple attachment points along the frame and fork (adaptor sleeves needed for front suspension bikes) and even the Full Mounty cockpit on Grizl Escape. These are perfect to direct mount bikepacking bags and gear, but custom fit racks are available for panniers and random cargo too. 

Grand Canyon adds to its bike packing bag fixtures with an optional trailer axle kit so you can tow kids, dogs or whatever else you can’t fit on your bike. 

Before ordering your new gravel bike, you’ll need to find your Canyon bike size. You’ll need to know both your height and inseam in cycling shorts. 

Each bike’s fit will be different, at least in part, because of its stack and reach. Stack refers to the vertical height from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube, while reach is defined by the horizontal distance between the center of the bottom bracket and the head tube. A longer reach means you’re more stretched out on the bike, with your hands moving further forward. A bigger stack means a more upright riding position. 

The Grizl in a size medium will feel different to a medium Grail because their stack and reach are different. If you buy either of those bikes, the fit and feel will be different than the road or mountain bike you’re currently riding.  

Learn more about Canyon's Perfect Positioning System (PPS) to ensure the ideal fit for your riding style 

So how do you choose between these options, particularly if you want to both race and bikepack? That could be the toughest choice of all. The easiest answer would be to buy both a Grizl and a Grail, but if you don’t have an unlimited budget or a garage big enough for your ever-expanding bike collection, that’s probably not an option. 

If you’re a dedicated racer, your best option is likely going to be the Grail. Not only will it help you dominate your local race series, but odds are, if you’re going bikepacking, it’ll likely be with similarly fast riders. While the Grail doesn’t offer as many mounting points as the Grizl, you can fit a lot in our custom aero bags or strap on third-party gear for a weekend trip. 

If you want that kind of performance and cargo capacity, but with 100mm of suspension travel, flat bars and MTB tyres for the wildest races and events, then choose Exceed.  

Riders who dig exploring new roads and trails, but may occasionally pin on a race number, should stick with the Grizl OG. You’re paying a bit of a weight penalty on this bike versus the Grail, but just lay off desserts and beer a month before the race and you’ll be fine. (Or keep eating and drinking and just have fun anyway!) The Grizl doesn’t handle as nimbly on the smooth roads, but is more surefooted when things get fast and rough. 

Grand Canyon builds on this versatility even further with town smarts (such as kickstand mounts) plus bikepacking mounts. Teamed with 120mm suspension forks, mountain bike geometry and an Alpine-tough frame and components, it really is the ultimate shopping to summit all-rounder. 

If you love to ride, but you need that slight extra bit of help to make it up the toughest hills and mountains, then you should buy the Grizl:ONfly or Grand Canyon:ON. Remarkably lightweight for power-assist bikes, their Bosch motors and high efficiency internal batteries shrink the hills and the distances, opening up adventures you never thought possible.

Aaand… that’s it – enjoy the ride on your new Canyon dream bike🤙!