Canyon’s new aluminum Grizl AL gravel bike has just dropped the cost of entry for their adventure bikepacking range, even adding more carrying capacity in the new bike. And while the entry-level alloy bike is only a few hundred bucks less than the entry carbon model, the new Grizl AL also debuts an aluminum RockShox Rudy suspension fork model that’s less than half the cost of the suspension-equipped carbon build…
Canyon Grizl AL affordable alloy adventure gravel bike
Debuted just back in May with big 5omm tire clearance (spec’d with 45mm tires) and more bikepacking-ready mounts, Canyon’s latest Grizl adventure gravel bike was built to go further off-road. A rough gravel evolution of their original and divisive Grail, the Grizl was just a versatile, capable do-it-all off-road adventure bike, no Hoverbar required.
Now, an aluminum Grizl AL version does everything the original did, cheaper and just a few hundred grams heavier. So let’s not forget, when you are hauling everything but the kitchen sink, what’s the difference of adding the equivalent extra weight of a single bottle full of water?
What’s new in Grizl 1.2?
Two little changes to the Grizl AL over the Grizl CF make it a better bike. First, with the move to a new welded alloy frame, Canyon was able to add rear rack mounts, so you can strap on a set of off-road paniers to carry more gear, further. That’s especially helpful for smaller riders, who often don’t have enough space between their saddle and rear wheel to safely fit the giant saddlebags popular with most bikepackers.
Speaking of smaller riders, the lower volume production that’s possible with an alloy frame (no need to justify another carbon mold to build just a couple hundred frames) also allowed Canyon to add another smaller size. Now available down to a 3XS in 8 sizes (XXXS-XXL), with the three smallest bikes fitted with 650b wheels to preserve all-terrain handling.
Fit is unchanged on the AL bikes vs. CF, but geometry does get a slight tweak. Stack, Reach, chainstay length & seattube angle are the same, but the alloy bikes have generally 0.5-1° slacker head angles for more off-road control.
Tech details
Besides carrying over the 50mm tire clearance (700c or 650b, depending on frame size), the bikes still feature 3 cage mounts in the front triangle, a toptube bag mount, and 3-bolt anything cage mounts on each fork leg – plus custom full-coverage fender compatibility.
The alloy bikes are 1x or 2x compatible with conventional internal cable routing, and feature 1.25-1.5″ tapered steerer, flat mount disc brakes, 12mm thru-axles, a PressFit BB86 bottom bracket, and a regular binder clamp for the 27.2mm seatpost.
2022 Canyon Grizl AL – Pricing, options & availability
The new aluminum Grizl is more affordable than the carbon version, but interestingly not that much cheaper, really. Part of that likely comes down to the fact that bike prices are generally going up recently, the rest to the fact that this alloy bike shares the same carbon fork and high-quality spec as many more premium bikes.
The new alloy frame is available in 4 complete bike builds. The 2022 Canyon Grizl 6 & 6 WMN is the lowest-priced AF build at $1900 / 1500€ with a Shimano GRX 400 2×10 group and alloy DT Swiss Ratchet LN wheels – at 10.74kg, less than 1kh heavier than the carbon build with lighter wheels.
Step up to the $2200 / 1800€ Grizl 7 and the same AF alloy frame gets an upgrade to GRX 800 2×11, or for the same price the Grizl 7 1by with GRX 1×11 AND a short 80mm dropper post. All of these rigid carbon fork builds are expected to start shipping as early as mid-November through the end of the year.
The last new aluminum build could be the most interesting, and the cheapest bike yet to get a Rudy fork. The $2400 / 2000€ Grizl 7 Suspension combines a GRX 2×11 groupset and RockShox’s new Rudy 30mm fork. The trick here is you’ll have to wait until at least January to get ahold of one of these.
