


Hey everyone,
I’m moving to Flagstaff, AZ and selling my current road bike (Trek Émonda rim brake). I want to switch into something more versatile that can handle:
Fast road riding (group rides, climbing, long days)
Gravel / rough chip seal / forest roads around Flagstaff
Ideally one bike setup with a second wheelset for road OR a “do-it-all” platform
I’ve narrowed it down to 3 Canyon options and would love real-world feedback from people who’ve ridden them in mixed terrain.
I’m 6’6 hence the 2XL lol
by Newt-Artistic
8 Comments
If you are planning to use it as a road bike, I would recommend the 2x setup (slx 8 atr).
I actually have the same, I ride it mostly as an endurance road bike and I love it. The other 2 would be better if your main focus is gravel because of the 1x in my opinion.
Also note that they will very likely announce a new grail with wider tire clearance in the next few weeks
This is my calling. I’m 6’6” as well and picked up Grail CF SLX 8 AXS about a month ago in the sand/black. In my area of the world there’s a mix of road and packed gravel and the bike has given me the freedom to do whatever. I love the bike and will continue to love it for many many years.
If I had to gripe about one thing is that you should find a cockpit computer or get the one from the canyon website because it’s a little complicated finding something to place a cycling computer and light.
go shimano over sram, always. Just less hassle down the road.
I am a big fan if 2×12/11. As I do a much more road driving I prefer smaller steps in the gear. Very happy with the Shimano Grx8xx!!
I have have the Shimano 2by (just the older 11s), if you plan on using it for both road and gravel, I would suggest this option. I bought a second set of wheels and now I have both a gravel and a road bike in one
https://preview.redd.it/tndw6yi3a3yg1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e11d7fc3760a55db4184ac79980392b3910ac639
To be honest. I bought two of them in 2XL in Germany. And both weren’t correctly assembled and the mechanic in Koblenz meant it will take him two days to configure the bike right.
i would recommend the shimano one