I’ve been researching race gravel bikes for a while now and have narrowed it down to two contenders: the Rose Backroad FF GRX RX825 Di2 and the Canyon Grail CF SLX Di2. Both are performance-focused gravel bikes from German brands in a similar price range.
What I like about each bike:
Canyon Grail CF SLX Di2
- The versatility of the Canyon really stands out to me: the tube storage, fenders, computer mounts, and Fidlock bags make it super practical for long rides or bikepacking.
- But I’m a little worried about comfort—some reviews mention it being a bit stiff and rough on more rugged terrain.
Rose Backroad FF
- The built-in power meter is a huge plus for me—it’s something I could really use for tracking my performance.
- It also comes with some cool accessories, including sleek bags and a Find My iPhone tracker, which is a neat safety feature.
- The paint job Rotten Candy is gorgeous and unique
- However, it lacks the same level of accessory options and versatility as the Canyon, and it is not tested as much as the Canyon, especially with the new GC50 wheels.
My riding style & priorities:
- I’ll mostly be riding FAST on the road, but I want the option to adventure into the woods and hit gravel trails now and then.
- I’d love to be able to do some light bikepacking—nothing crazy.
- Comfort matters, but I still want something fast and performance-focused.
Given that they’re so close in price, I’d love to hear from folks who have ridden one (or both)! What would you pick and why?
by PineappleQuiet6281
4 Comments
If going by color, purple all day every day.
They both seem like solid bikes. I don’t know anything about Rose brand
I would take the canyon in terms of looks. The paint of Rose you will see a lot in future, due to social media where many with this kind of paintjob are getting viral.
In Terms of Performance i think both are very close to each other. Due to what u wanna ride i would take the canyon and if its really too stiff, go with a redshift stem.
Customer Service from Canyon has become a pain. Rose Service i dont know, but since i was watching some interview of the founder i am not so much into Rose…. but yeah thats very subjective^^
You should also consider if u wanna go 1by or 2by.
I am driving atm a grizl SLX, which offers a stiffer frame than the Grizl SL, but still more adventures than the Grail CF SLX. I am quite happy with the bike, but have to admit i changed the bar to a BeastComponents Gravelbar a real game changer for me personally.
I had to decide between a Backroad and a grail a few weeks ago.
After testriding both, i was 100% convinced with the backroad. It felt more comfortable, but thats a personal thing, i guess.
Do you have the chance to test them?
The canyon grail only has a tire width of 40mm and is thus completely unequipped for modern gravel racing. The trend now goes towards 50mm or even beyond, I recommend you watch some Dylan Johnson videos about it if you are into gravel racing. Also the grail is not at all aero, that’s another minus. If I were you I’d have a look at the new Cannondale Super X. It’s aero and fits tires up to 48mm. Completely different level (also on the price unfortunately).
The Rose FF I don’t know, but I remember it had a very aggressive geometry, another factor to consider