I'm considering getting my first gravel bike but can't make my mind up.
I'm 157cm tall and have a 73cm inseam so that puts me in the 2xs sizing but when you compare the range for all the sizes above I'm further down the box. This is even more apparent for a Grail than a Grizl so I suspect I would find a Grail a bit of a stretch. I currently ride a 3xs 2022 Endurace CF SL 8 as my road bike with no sizing concerns.
I haven't done any gravel riding so I don't know whether I'd be perfectly happy with the Grizl 5 in the long run or whether to go for a higher spec (or CF) bike but need to spend at least £500 more. One concern is that AL bikes are heavier and I'm small. I also don't intend to do any bike packing and don't necessarily need all the attachment options of the Grizl so would I be better with the Grail for speed reasons (but then I don't know if it would simply be too big)?
I don't think I'll be doing anything particularly technical, particularly to begin with, so maybe one final question is whether I'd simply be better buying a different wheel set for my endurace, although it currently has 650b wheels and I don't know what my options would be. I also think having a second bike would be an easier option without having to constantly swap wheels and for winter when I have my endurace on the turbo trainer.
Sorry for the long ramble but hopefully someone in a similar position can advise what they went with.
by aldoughnut
1 Comment
Not the same size as you, but looking at the geometry charts for the Grail vs Grizl there are minimal positioning differences between the two (+5mm Stack,+ 3mm reach on the Grail vs the Grizl). this is low enough that these differences can more or less be factored out with things like shifting the saddle/shifters, etc. The biggest difference will be felt going from the 3XS Endurace to the 2XS gravel bike where the differences are +20-30mm in stack/reach, which is “swapping components” territory. doesnt look like Canyon makes 3XS frames anymore, which sadly means you might be better suited on a different brand.
Not sure what type of gravel you’re riding but better option might be to buy a secondary wheelset with wider tires for your offroad riding and swap. a bike shop can help you with selection so that it SHOULD be as easy as plug and play between wheel sets.