Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 Shimano GRX 2025: Test, Review, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions – Everything You (Really) Need to Know

Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 Shimano GRX 2025: Test and Review – Build Quality, Frame, Assembly, Comfort, Handling, Performance, Pros, and Cons

Build Quality

The overall quality of the Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 Shimano GRX 2025 is very good, with solid assembly. The range of available sizes and colors is also commendable. It's not exorbitantly priced, offering excellent value for money. The Shimano-assembled version costs around €2700. The only real drawback is that it's exclusively sold online.

Frame

The frame is entirely new and perfectly crafted. It features new gravel-specific geometries and integrated cable routing, all very well executed. The fork is also specific to this version. The weight is decent, with the Shimano-assembled version weighing 9.7 kg. Not bad at all.

Assembly

The proposed build kits are good and offered at a consistently competitive price. In every available version, the value for money is excellent. It's a good quality gravel bike with a strong price-to-quality ratio.

Comfort

Comfort is exceptionally high, surpassing many competitors. Overall, it ranks among the absolute best gravel bikes for ride comfort, just slightly below full-suspension versions, which are significantly more expensive and heavier. Comfort could still be improved with a better saddle. In terms of ride comfort, the Canyon Grizl 2025 is unrivaled, at least for its frame type.

Handling

This is a true gravel bike: stable, secure, and above all, maneuverable and easy to ride. It's an extremely stable gravel bike, perfect for touring—an excellent option for anyone looking for all-around touring capabilities. It's maneuverable, but also remarkably stable, secure, and predictable, with confident steering at high speeds. The braking performance is also very good.

On the road, it approaches the handling of an endurance road bike. Off-road, it's equally competitive, especially on fast courses. It's more challenging to ride on technical off-road trails and steep climbs. This is an excellent gravel bike for those who prioritize safe and comfortable riding.

Performance

The Canyon Grizl is a fast gravel bike, competitive on flat courses. Its performance is on par with other gravel models of similar weight, often much more expensive. It performs excellently on flat roads and off-road, on smooth and fast surfaces. Its climbing performance is equally competitive, except on the most difficult ascents where its weight becomes noticeable. It struggles on truly difficult, almost MTB-like off-road trails, but where the bike can be let loose, its performance is top-tier for its category.

Pros and Cons

The Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 Shimano GRX 2025 is an affordable yet high-quality gravel bike with excellent performance. Its main drawback is being sold online only. Its strengths include its overall performance, versatility, and secure handling, in addition to an enviable value for money.

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Editor's Note: The photo does not depict the specific bike tested in this review.