New electric gravel bike sports compact 4kg Bosch motor/battery and a range of add-ons for versatility

By Paul Norman

Published: Tuesday, 05 March 2024 at 10:00 AM


Canyon has expanded its range of e-gravel bikes by electrifying the Grizl to create the Grizl:ON.

With a carbon frame, a suspension fork across the range, integrated lights and the latest, compact Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55Nm of torque, the Grizl:ON takes, according to Canyon, a fresh approach to e-gravel, compared to the brand’s existing Grail:ON.

Four models are available at launch, with UK prices ranging from £4,799 for the Grizl:ON CF 7, up to £7,649 for the Grizl:ON CF Trail.

New Bosch motor system

Canyon/Pol Foguet

While Canyon’s first foray into electric gravel bikes, the Grail:ON, was equipped with a chunky Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 85Nm torque and 250 watts power output, the new Grizl:ON’s Performance Line SX motor provides 55Nm peak torque.

Canyon says this is better suited to a more “active” riding style, rather than the rider relying on the motor to pull them up inclines.

There’s a weight decrease too, with the new motor, along with a 400Wh battery, having a claimed 4kg all-in mass. Canyon says you only get peak motor power at higher cadences and, according to the brand, the lower weight leads to a more natural ride feel.

Canyon/Pol Foguet

In Europe, the motor is speed-regulated to provide power up to 25km/h. US riders get the full Class 3 ebike experience, though, with power provided up to 28mph. US riders get a larger 44-tooth chainring to help make use of the extra assistance.

Canyon quotes a range of around 100km for the Grizl:ON from its testing, but you can fit a range extender to the down tube in place of a bottle cage, which adds 250Wh for a total battery capacity of 650Wh.

Bosch’s motor system provides an app, which incorporates a two-stage alarm and a location tracker. Canyon includes a year’s subscription to the alarm/tracking service with the bike. Canyon says the app also provides you with a full range of navigation and ride data, as well as Strava connectivity.

Slack geometry and suspension

Canyon says its development team for the Grizl:ON was also behind its Spectral:ON and Strive:ON electric mountain bikes. The team has carried over its eMTB experience to provide the Grizl:ON with slack front-end geometry.

The 69.5-degree head tube angle for all five sizes is down from the non-assisted Grizl’s 70 to 72.75 degrees across the size range, and on a par with some of the slackest gravel bikes.

The seat tube angle is steeper than the Grizl, though, at 74 degrees versus 73.5 degrees, which Canyon says promotes efficient climbing.

All spec levels of the Grizl:ON are also fitted with a Rockshox Rudy XPLR suspension fork with 40mm of travel. The two higher specs get the Rudy XPLR Ultimate, while the two lower-priced Grizl:ONs are equipped with the standard Rudy XPLR.

All but the top spec Grizl:ON have the VCLS carbon seatpost fitted.
Canyon/Pol Foguet

Front-end suspension is paired with Canyon’s VCLS split-shaft carbon seatpost, designed to provide an element of rear-end comfort. The VCLS seatpost fitted, paired with the steep seat tube angle, is designed to place the rider over the pedals, according to Canyon – another feature of progressive MTB geometry.

The top-spec Grizl:ON CF Trail swaps the VCLS seatpost for a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR wireless gravel dropper post. This can be raised or lowered by 75mm, and, according to RockShox, also provides ride damping when locked out.

In typical MTB fashion, the Grizl:ON’s slack geometry has been paired with a short 60mm stem and wide handlebars. There’s front-end cable integration, which uses the Acros system to route all cables and hoses through the stem and headset, except the front brake hose. 

All the accessories

Canyon/Pol Foguet

Canyon has added a lot of versatility to the Grizl:ON. There is lighting powered by the central battery as standard and a whole range of options to equip the ebike for commuting or longer adventures.

Canyon has worked with Lupine to integrate the lights into the bike. There’s a pair of rear lights fitted into the rear dropouts, one on each side of the frame, to provide dual-sided visibility.

The rear lights are always on when riding, Canyon says, and are housed in alloy mounts that are screwed onto the frame, above the Universal Derailleur Hanger on the right side. This, Canyon says, makes them easy to service if needed. 

Canyon/Pol Foguet

The front Lupine Nano SL headlight is controlled via a bar-mounted remote. It’s compliant with the German StVZO regulations, so you shouldn’t dazzle oncoming vehicles on-road. 

Canyon says the lights will keep running for two hours, even after the battery’s capacity to power the motor has been exhausted.

Canyon rates the Grizl:ON for a 130kg total system weight, allowing you to load up for adventures.

Canyon/Pol Foguet

As with the Generation 2 Canyon Grail, there are Fidlock Quickloader mounting points to quickly add a strap-free half-frame bag inside the main triangle (as pictured above). The Grizl:ON’s bag is a little larger than the Grail’s though and there are more access points to its contents.

You can also fit Canyon’s proprietary full-length mudguards, which work with tyres up to 45mm wide, according to the German direct-sales brand. These are sold separately, apart from on the Grizl:On Daily spec.

Canyon/Pol Foguet

The front fender is designed specifically to work with the RockShox suspension fork. The rear mudguard has a built-in rack, to which you can attach panniers using Ortlieb’s clip system. Canyon and Ortlieb have partnered to provide a waterproof Ortlieb Gravel pannier with 14.5 litres capacity per side.

Canyon has looked to exploit the Grizl:ON’s versatility with the Daily spec, which is designed more for commuting than gravel adventures. It comes with the mudguards and rack already fitted, while the Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres have a less aggressive tread than the off-road-specific tyres found elsewhere in the range.

Canyon Grizl:ON specs and prices

The Grizl:ON comes at four spec levels as below.

At launch, only the Grizl:ON CF 7 and Grizl:ON CF 9 will be sold in the US market (prices TBC).

The five sizes available are from XS to XL, with Canyon saying they’re suitable for riders from 166cm to 194cm in height.

Canyon Grizl:ON CF Trail

Canyon

Frame: Canyon Grizl:ON CF R112
Fork:  Rock Shox Rudy Ultimate XPLR
Groupset: SRAM Force AXS / XO Eagle Transmission
Wheels: DT Swiss HGC1400
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite, 50mm
Gear ratios:  42t / 10-52t
Bars: Canyon HB0064 Ergo AL
Stem: Canyon ST0037
Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra X5
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR, 75mm
Claimed weight: 15.5kg
Price: £7,649 / €7,999

Canyon Grizl:ON CF 9

Canyon

Frame: Canyon Grizl:ON CF R112
Fork:  Rock Shox Rudy Ultimate XPLR
Groupset: SRAM Force AXS XPLR
Wheels: DT Swiss HGC1800
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite Evo, 45mm
Gear ratios:  42t / 10-44t
Bars: Canyon HB0064 Ergo AL
Stem: Canyon ST0037
Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra X5
Seatpost: Canyon S14 VCLS 2.0
Claimed weight: 15.3kg
Price: £6,699 / €6,999

Canyon Grizl:ON CF Daily

Canyon

Frame: Canyon Grizl:ON CF R112
Fork:  Rock Shox Rudy XPLR
Groupset: Shimano GRX 822 12-speed
Wheels: DT Swiss HG1800
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Overland, 45mm
Gear ratios:  42t / 10-45t
Bars: Canyon HB0064 Ergo AL
Stem: Canyon ST0037
Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra X5
Seatpost: Canyon S14 VCLS 2.0
Claimed weight: 17.6kg
Price: £5,249 / €5,499

Canyon Grizl:ON CF 7

Canyon

Frame: Canyon Grizl:ON CF R112
Fork:  Rock Shox Rudy XPLR
Groupset: Shimano GRX 812 11-speed
Wheels: DT Swiss HG1800
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite Evo, 45mm
Gear ratios:  42t / 10-42t
Bars: Canyon HB0064 Ergo AL
Stem: Canyon ST0037
Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra X5
Seatpost: Canyon S14 VCLS 2.0
Claimed weight: 15.9kg
Price: £4,799 / €4,999