My New Canyon Grail CFR: A Roadie’s Transition to Gravel

Hello everyone! I recently picked up a Canyon Grail CFR, and I am so thrilled with this bike that I just had to jump on here and share my thoughts.
To give you some context: I’m 172cm tall with an 82cm inseam, weighing in at 63kg. I’ve been a roadie for over a decade now. My FTP isn't exactly groundbreaking—hovering around 230W—but I live for the ride. My current stable includes a rim-brake Canyon Ultimate CF SLX and a disc-brake Canyon Aeroad CFR, both in Size S.
Before buying the Grail, I was torn between XS and S. The consensus on Reddit seemed to be that the Grail runs large, and if you’re between sizes, you should size down. Luckily, during a trip to Germany, I had the chance to visit the Canyon Showroom in Koblenz to test the fit and ride feel in person.

First, I hopped on the XS and S Aeroads just for comparison. It reaffirmed my choice of Size S; the XS felt noticeably cramped, and my upper body felt like it couldn't fully stretch out. It might just be a lack of familiarity, but I definitely preferred the "roomier" feel of the S.

However, when I switched to the Grail, the tables turned. My body immediately clicked with the XS. Everything felt like it fell perfectly into place. In contrast, the Size S Grail felt overstretched—even more so than my Aeroad in Size S—which I didn't like at all. That test ride cleared up all my doubts: Size S is my sweet spot for road bikes, but XS is definitely the way to go for the Grail.

As soon as I got home, I pulled the trigger on a Grail CFR (XS), equipped with SRAM Red XPLR E1 and ZIPP 303 XPLR SW wheels.
I have to say, the ride quality has been a total surprise. I expected a gravel bike to feel sluggish and slow due to the geometry, weight, and wider tires. But on the road? It’s a completely different story. It’s snappy, the steering is agile, and the power transfer is incredibly direct. It honestly holds its own against the Aeroad, which completely shattered my preconceptions. I’m not saying I’m out there breaking all my Aeroad PRs, but the fun factor is off the charts. Plus, the comfort of those wide tires is just heavenly!
While I haven't tried other gravel bikes, I couldn't be happier with the Grail. I can't wait to get it back out there and get it properly covered in mud!