Do You Need a Road Bike Anymore (If a Gravel Bike Does the Job Just Fine) ???
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- I’ve been wondering if a gravel bike without any changes to the wheels or tyres can actually work just fine as a road bike for winter riding when the roads are wet and slippery? The new Canyon Grail with its fast rolling wide tyres and mudguards has got me wondering this very question so I went for a ride to see if it worked or not?
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It may seem cliche, but I really do want to see a comparison between the Endurace and the Grail where they both have the same tyres.
Yes, would love to see this as well
Would be great! It's such a difficult choice.
Not sure why it's cliche..I am in the market for a bike and can't decide between endurace vs grail...I am a roadie( have a old road bike) now and trying to get in to gravel. Need this comparison to decide.
I was having this internal debate recently, "If I could only have ONE bike...?" I reached the same conclusion as David Arthur.
That is, my gravel bike is very adaptable to the changing demands of the seasons and surfaces, just by changing or removing fenders and wheelsets.
This is particularly true since I am a recreational rider. The variety of bikes I have are more because I am old and sentimental and not because I *need* them.
This makes perfect sense for the UK winter. Mudguards, wide tyres, good gearing and comfort.
This was my situation recently... I went from having dedicated bikes for each discipline. Now I have a 3T Exploro Ultra with 2 wheelsets. On it's road configuration, it is every bit as fast as my road bike. This Canyon (if you don't need big tire clearance) is a mighty good contender for quiver killer as well!
how is swapping wheels any better than having two bikes? I have a road bike and a gravel bike and the great bit is I have a whole spare bike if necessary.
@@lechprotean there are many reasons which may not apply to you: only 1 bike fit to maintain, 1 bike to upgrade, takes less room in your home, etc.
@@lechprotean oh it's easy. Not enough money to have two electronic setups on two carbon bikes. And storage, its hard to fit two bikes in a space for one =)
@@lechprotean 'cause two bikes is twice the complexity, set up, cost, maintenance, storage, etc, innit.
one versatile, and dialed bike FTW.
@@lechprotean In my case, it's money. 2 Wheelsets on 1 amazing bike is better than 2 mid-level bikes. Of course, 2 high-end bikes would be better, but at least for now, I'm happy with my setup.
this is exactly where I am, considering a gravel bike as a winter bike, and looking closely at Canyon. Just the content I needed at the time I needed it!
Yes, fast gravel bikes are the new Allroad Bikes for everyday and trainings BMC Kaius for me.
the BMC Kaius is a sweet bike, could easily see one of those being my quiver killer with light, fast wheels/tires and a low front end.
Damn I really think that I've found the bike I'll buy now. Pretty sure I will take the new Grail. Just didn't like the double cockpit from the older versions, but this one has everything I am searching for. I especially like the opportunity to have good mudguards - for example for travelling to work etc.
Thanks for the video!
You could still consider the grizl. It’s even more relaxed, with bigger tyre clearance. And has more mounting points for bags. I bought one last year and because it’s also my commuter I ordered it with canyon mudguards aswel. But this grail is more racy I believe.
Yes can make perfect sense particularly if you have limited space at home . If l could add one piece of advice tyre choice is important with the tread pattern for mixed riding choose a tyre with a close tread not big knobs as l have found the big knobs become a little slippery and a bit unstable on wet grease tarmac . I have had Cinturato gravel H or good year connectors to be excellent in mixed roads and the good year connectors are very good on loose gravel . Commenting on past experience . Happy safe riding to everyone . Cheers
It is definitely a contender for one bike to do it all which makes a lot of sense, I would just prefer to have road tyres on for the winter but also have the option to go off road with the bigger tyres,
I mean if you had a bike for every discipline you end up having to have about 4 different bikes, the only downside is that it’s a 7k winter bike which does sound silly even tho I am very tempted.
We use our gravel bikes as primary now. Main reasons (1) roads have become more dangerous than ever (2) we ride for adventure, and it fits the style more since we can hit cool paths we find. We keep the road bike and mountain bikes for more specific rides, but the gravel is the jack of all trades for us. BTW, I have the exact Fairlight Secan you have, and I've tried switching out wheels (narrow) for specific rides, and it's great. So that's an option, too. Just have one gravel endurance frame and then switch out wheels.
Statistic say it’s safer than ever, right? But away from streets is safest :)
Makes sense, gravel bike with wider tyres set up tubeless , less chance of punctures on wet roads. I used to hate repairing punctures in wet tubes and tyres, by the side of busy dark roads. As road surfaces deterioate in winter better to cope with potholes and rough surfaces.
Endurance bike with ~35 mm tire clearance is the sweetspot for me. Enough clearance to do gravel (I don't ride gnarly stuff) and touring or slap on 28 mm tires and go fast.
Totally agree ! For me this is the perfect all in one
Limited to pretty tame gravel though surely?
Its perilously close to being spot on IMO. Non-proprietary seat post and a threaded BB and it’s more or less there.
Agreed! I'm tired of proprietary seat posts; round, 27.2 works for me.
Yeah I’ve got a road bike, gravel bike, and xc mtb but its the gravel bike i use much more often. Especially in winter. The road bike restricts which roads i can take and i have to avoid any roads under construction. I like the freedom and adventure of the gravel bike, more often. I have 10x the route options and im typically not needing a bike computer. But during the winter season i have not ridden my road bike in 3 years.
I replaced three bikes with a ti gravel bike. I'm not doing much group road riding these days so being at the front is no longer a concern but with narrow tires I think it would still be fast enough. That said, I just moved to the mountains and I'm wanting another climbing bike. I love climbing so the search is on!
I avoided the issue by living in Australia.
What do you mean?
@@jamesk7777 the issue of needing a winter bike. With no snow or grit on the roads you just don’t need one
I had the older model (Grail SLX) that I used all year round in where I live in Colorado. I had 2 wheel sets that worked great. Gravel most of the winter, and road in summer. Road long rides like the Triple Bypass on it with no issues. Just as fast as my regular road bike (Canyon Endurace) and more versatile. I sold the Grail last year and bought an Allied Echo and use it the same way as I did the Grail.
What was it about the Grail that led you to sell it, especially since it worked well for you on roads and gravel? What do you think of the Allied? I have been comparing the two and a few others as well in search of that one bike (and two wheelsets) to do it all. Thanks.
@@joeg4487 I liked the Grail and there was nothing wrong with it. The Allied with its clean lines and fully integrated cables just captured my imagination. I liked the fact that on the Allied I can easily swap out just about all of the parts. I never really noticed any difference with the Grail hover bar. I did like the grip on it, but really did not like the messy cables hanging down. Both bikes produce very similar speeds at the same power on my rides. The Allied my favorite bike that I have ever owned. I leave it in gravel mode, even with road tires. I was worried about breaking the hover bar and getting parts my the Grail in general.
That mudguard integration is the boss!
My road bike doesn't get used anymore since I got a Trek Checkpoint. Soooo comfy when on roads... I don't want to go back to narrow tires. Smooth and super-solid tracking geometry, no twitchiness (like my road bike) so I can ride hands-free with ease when I want to stretch my back for a moment.
I might as well sell the road bike because I have no use for it now.
Agree. My summer bike now on the trainer. Now moving to my BMC Roadmachine which is great. Ali frame, carbon fork and 1x mechanical gears. Guards fitted. Easy to clean. Obviously bigger gaps in the gears, but can do anything and explore the trails.
Absolutely agree. My Trek Damone disc is all you need. Remove the mudguards and add deep section Bontragers for the summer, hey presto!
Given I suck on the gravel bike and Im slow on a road bike and really cant handle an Mtb I just use a gravel bike for everything and very happy every minute of doing so.
Use my gravel bike as my main ride these days over my road bike, the gravel is plenty fast enough to do the job on the road sections, only have to tweak the tyre pressure to a more firmer ride if just doing road sections, other wise it a good mix of comfort/speed balence tyre pressure for mixed surface riding which is my normal now.
For those thinking that gravel bikes for road use are to slow compared too road only bikes, think again just changing the front ratio of the chain rings from a gravel compact to full road spread( careful shopping around of the gravel bikes needed for this) can make buying a road only bike a very expensive mistake, besides it will always come down to the engine powering the bike, a crappy set of legs will always be a set of crappy legs.
Have actually got to the point of thinking of selling off my last road bike in my collection but I still use it as the permanent mag trainer set up bike, it's like this now days for me - gravel first, the CX second, the road bike last & usually just for the mag trainer( a rather sad end to the usefullness of a full on razor sharp criterium bike), don't even bother riding mtb's anymore( they're just too boring these days, performance wise v risks).
That’s a really good point re gear ratios, I’ve often wondered if putting a more road set up on the gravel bike would make it quicker.
I use a Trek Boone with 35mm tubeless Schwalbe G-One speed tires for my winter bike. Setup as a 1X with 42x11-36. No trouble hanging in the group ride. 35km/hr. While 40mm Schwalble G-One RS tires are great they are def a bit too sluggish for just road riding.
Got a Trek Checkpoimt 1 month ago and it’s plenty fast enough for club rides. I’ve now put mud guards on it and I’ll ride it through the winter. Was riding on some narrow country lanes yesterday with grass and gravel in the middle and was really glad. I wasn’t on my road bike. In fact I’m seriously concurring getting rid of the road bike as I don’t know when I’m going to need it now 😀
As someone who just moved to the UK from Los Angeles, I regret only brining my road bike and not my gravel bike for these winter months. I think this hits the mark.
You don't regret moving to the UK?? ;)
@@davidarthur not yet ;D
Nice video! I agree - might not be the fastest, but a brilliant option for riding (not racing) in UK winter.
I ride a Diverge with mudguards and it is awesome for U.K. roads / small lanes in the Chilterns - they are beautiful but in winter are often covered in debris, sometimes flooded, and have lots of pot-holes. I also have a rack as I use the same bike for shopping.
The Canyon looks equally good! (No Future-Shock, but love the mudguards).
Keep thinking about getting a summer road bike too, but I don’t have a problem keeping up with my friends (and I don’t race), so not sure it’s worth it for me!
Hi David and thanks (again) for a very intuitive and nicely put video.
I own a Canyon Grail CFSL eTap 7 for some months now, the one with the double handlebar and I really like it, on and off road.
Obviously a lot of people never liked the idea of putting a double handle bar on a bike, particularly maybe on a gravel bike. But, the truth is that it gives me a lot of pleasure, comfort and makes my rides very pleasant.
The new Grail you are presenting, has a brand new handle bar, which I would be really interested to try, since the rest of its 'setup' is very similar to the Grail I own.
And also, where I live, in the mid/south Sweden, we soon need to change to winter tyres to cope with ice and later snow, but the Canyon mudguards I have on do a very well job.
Thanks again for all your videos,
Cheers from Sweden,
Antonis
Hi Dave
Prove it, replace the tyre with 28mm or 30mm, bring it to LaMarmotte or Fred Whitton or any big event that you’ve done before and compare the result.
Do you get much benefit from the comfort?
I was thinking the same things about the new Grail. Also, the lower BB and longer wheelbase adds stability in slippery situations.
Gravel bikes definitely makes you a stronger rider. UK winter is a test to any cycling enthusiast. If you can train on the comfort of a gravel bike than why not! A steel bike would be nice as well or any other bike for that matter. I use my Crux as a commuter and as a gravel bike. When I feel I want to just ride for hours and just enjoy the ride I aways opt for the Crux. When I want to chase KOMs I aways opt for my road race bike. In my optnion having both a gravel and a road bike is the ideal formula. In my opnion theres no such thing as a holy grail of a bike.
My winter bike has studded tires/fenders/internal gears in the hub/flashing lights. I wear a ski helmet, use bar mitts, Blivet winter boots with cleats.Only one water bottle as it freezes quite fast.This Canyon bike is really nice. Cheers from Canada.
One bike with two wheels is the way to go for all bikes IMO. I'm not knocking dedicated setups, if you've got one focus or the resources to own and store multiple setups then go for it but personally I cant justify having two bikes that are so close to each other and bikes are so good these days a wheel or tyre swap can transform the way it rides so why not.
My gravel bike has road and offroad wheels, I've done everything from bikepacking to muddy singletrack and 100 mile road rides without any complaints (all with a mate on his dedicated road and gravel bikes I might ad). But I've been on long road rides with gravel tyres and since the road wheels have 32c tyres I've survived light gravel adventures too. My enduro MTB also has 2 wheelsets, one for heavy duty (bikeparks, natural rocky rides with thick and sticky tyres) and light (trail centres and more pedal focused rides with thinner, faster rolling tyres), again I could ride everything on either wheelset at a push. Could say the same for a dedicated road bike with aero and lightweight wheels or XC with ultralight race setup and a more durable training set or even dry/wet tyres.
I was road only on a TCR went to a revolt with 2 wheelsets and never looked back. Maybe some where else with pristine roads may change my mind but having the option to cut through in small dirt sections even in road mode is just too good. I also do overnight bike packs etc.
i have always had a dedicated winter bike with full guards.& a carbon summer bike for the long faster rides.but if i was just starting out that type of do it all bike would tick a lot of boxes🚴👍
Hello David. You thinking is exactly why I bought a Genesis Croix de Fer Ti about 4 years ago. Gravel bike in summer and swap out for a set of road wheels with 30 mm or 32 mm road tyres and proper mudguard mounts. I could use bigger tyres if I brought larger mudguards. I have now taken the gravel as a road a step further. Recently bought a Basso Palto as a gravel race bike and to use as a road/Gravel bike linking bridal ways together via road sections. I regularly do 100 mile rides combining roads and and bridal ways. Just brilliant fun. Winter riding isn't that bad David. You just need to have the right mindset.
For riding on roads, it'd be great if Canyon made a fluro bag for visibility. And like you, David, I like that bag, nice design. And woohoo to mudguards, or fenders for us here in the States, tho' bright fenders would provide an extra measure of safety and I am all about visibility when riding among motor vehicles and I say that as both a cyclist and motorist, all of us on bikes can be hard to see sometimes, even by the most eagle-eyed drivers.
That's a terrific idea -- super bright and reflective fenders. In the weather when we're really needing them, visibility to motorists is often much worse than typical conditions.
Personally can't afford a new gravel bike so just put 35mm gravel kings on my giant defy instead, sooo comfortable on our crap roads and does surprisingly well off road too👍
Gravel bike good option for winter riding ticks all the boxes for me then use in the spring for your gravel rides
As a bit of a rim-brake retro grouch even I can see the appeal of this bike. Did my 6th Dartmoor Devil Audax the other week on my road bike with 25mm tyres, wider tyres and discs would have made the downhill sections with flooded roads and awful road defects that brinelled my wheel bearings easier.
Great video as always. I bought the new Grail (arrives tomorrow) with exactly that in mind. Swapped it for my Orbed Orca. You've reassured me I did the right thing!
I got rid of my road bike over a year ago and don’t miss it at all my Grail is better suited to the bad roads and gravel in this part of Australia
Trek Emonda ALR5 disc for summer and my trusty Trek FX 7.3 for late fall/winter riding. I threw some mud guards and a rear rack onto it to haul around essentials and I'm set until the heavy snows/heavy rains set in.
I still want some power comparison between this and a road bike. I ride a Roubaix with 32c tyres. Usually solo on asphalt, z2 long rides, average 26km/h. How much extra power would I need to keep this on a Grail with stock 40c tyres? It's quite an easy test, ride it at an easy pace on a normal road, switch bikes, same speed, compare power.
Fair point but whatever sort of testing you do some people will find fault with it or something to complain about ;)
Yeah, I imagine. Still a suggestion, I like your content and since you already have the bikes, surely you can do a good technical comparison too. @@davidarthur
40c tires vs 32 or 28c will have big watts differences. I have multiple bikes and one of them is a touring bike with 42c tires. I switched them once to 28c deep carbon wheels and they were able to go just as fast as my road bike.
40c takes more watts to accelerate and sustain speed due to the rotating weight and rolling resistance.
I have an aggresive fit on my road bike so its nice to have a my more upright graveler when i just want endurance miles. Also, the bike just being "slower" encourages me to take it easy. When i ride my racer, the temptation to destroy my training plan is harder to say no to
Haha I have major problems when I try to stay in zone 1 or 2 on my road bike compared to my endurance/ touring bike. When I do ride my slow touring bike I actually stay relaxed for some reason.
My Orbea Avant with a tire/wheel change could function quite well as a gravel/winter bike and could be my only one. However, I also have a Masi Giramondo 650b that would be better in most adverse weather situations due to it's stability and comfort. With Panaracer slicks it's plenty fast enough for casual road riding and with more aggressive tires it is perfect for crap roads and bad weather. The Masi had been my only bike for the last 3 years and I still love it, even though I have the more "road" oriented Avant. Blessed to have the choice of which to ride.
I've been debating exactly this for the last few weeks/months. currently only have MTB's, but in spring and autumn i'd like to go for a ride when its getting dark early. No can do with a MTB on these singletracks, no matter how much light you cary. So I was looking at the Trek Domane, as i could then fit it with relatively large 40mm tires and make it semi-gravel, i would ride around 80% on road (debatable conditions) and 20% offroad (farm roads), I always loved the isospeed comfort system and the internal storage. then the Grail comes along and does all what i want at a more affordable package (i want Sram AXS), very seriously debating between the two now. wonder if the Grail will hold me back a lot in group rides with friends on road (endurance) bikes.....
I ordered this bike with the new 13 speed for winter. You inspired me
I have been using my gravel bike ( Fairlight Secan)as a road bike the last few months.
It works really well as such.
I am running 32 mm GP 5000 S TR tubeless and its every bit as a fast as a road bike! I still like the feel of a quick road bike but this will run fine through the winter then may consider something more sportier in the Spring when funds allow.
Put on 35 or 38mm slicks and this would make a nice comfy endurance road bike.
Front mud guards never go long enough; with these, I guess you still get the roadway spray/dirt over your feet and chain rings.
I have been doing this with a Cube Nuroad I got in 2019. Pretty much the same package deal + a long distance bikepacking option with better paniers. One bike that fits all is really great to have. (Apart from riding on the road in the summer with friends who have faster gear than you or if you ride competitively).
Without racing, a gravel bike is a substitute for a road bike. I own a Canyon Inflite and use it as such.
For road racing I ride my TT, so I don't need a racing bike.😊
I have my no. 1 road bike (Aethos), then endurance road bike with mudguards (Domane) for wet and winter rides and gravel bike (Grizl) . And a think I need them all.
I bought gravel for winter riding but second road bike is better choice for me - if mudguard are long enough for wet riding they are unusable of road. These on Grail are to short for real wet roads.
And handling is day and night. Gravel on the road is like a tank.
We have proper winters with snow (not the UK ones) and i ride all year if it is possible. If there is snow on the roads I go of road or indoors.
I recently got a gravel bike after only owning a nice carbon road bike with narrow tyres...
Yeah its comfy and rugged and can go over anything.
Thats great. But its noticeably slower. Feels way less efficient on the road. Hills are way harder too. Im not sure how i feel about it tbh. Looking to put narrower tyres on maybe. It has 43c gravelkings that feel great but on a commute that takes in maybe 75% road i almost think id be better off going slow over the forrest paths n trails on my road bike with 28s than faster on the gravel and slower on the roads. I just dunno about them now i own one.
Comfy slow and versatility i suppose.
Not particularly great at anything
Ironically I went the other way around. I started with gravel but swapped with a road bike as there's not really much gravel here in Tokyo area, they love paving roads even mountainous ones. I feel the road bike is super fun especially on fast mountain descents since I can be more aero compared to the more endurance geometry of gravel bikes. Less weight is also better as there's a lot of long climbs here.
For offroad I have a dedicated full sus mtb when I feel going to the trail head with friends on the weekend. The road bike is used almost everyday.
Thanks David. Does this ride similarly to endurance bike as far as geometry is concerned? Would it be more relaxed or aggressive?
exactly my question as well. personally comparing it to a Trek Domane
I prefer road bikes - however i am considering either Colnago V3 or Orbea Aero both with DI2 groupset - which would you choose
Just picked up a old Kona cyclo cross for the winter,no indoor rides for me, just keeping it real,might even get mudguards 😂to soften the ride
I've been thinking the same thing. One bike to rule them all. Looking at the Canyon Grail and the Cervelo Caladonia at the moment. Bikes are so expensive it makes sense if you can manage with one. Maybe get another wheel set so you can easily change out for the riding conditions of the day/ season rather than another bike.
This isnt a winter bike, since replacing the headset bearings isnt easy or cheap! Other than that it does tick most of the boxes.
A very overlooked part of any bad weather bike good point
I’ve been debating this for a while as my gravel bike is excellent. Only problem is it just doesn’t feel as alive as my road bike or as fast. Granted it’s not that much re the speed but it feels so much slower that I just can’t part with the road bike.
I put file tread 38mm gravel tyres on my cross bike, ideal for rough Yorkshire roads
Well you need both ideally.. but I don't discount the idea of using a gravel bike on road in the winter - makes sense to me.. but it's never going to be 'Sunday best' in the middle of summer is it.
Rocking gravel bike for 5 years. 2 sets of wheels and ( does indoor roller wheels count as 3 sets ?😜 )….I wouldn’t trade it for anything 🤘🤘🤘
I did that last winter. Had a cannondale synapse (alu) for the winter. Though I'm in sunny Southern California, but we got a lot of rain and cold weather last year. Worked out great. Problem is I sold that bike and might have to just go with what I have, or what I like to do, which is ride my mtb when the conditions are not so great.
Good job as always David! I'm eagerly waiting for you to test the Campy Super Record Wrl :)
You and me both!
In in Oregon - and I've been riding Cross or Gravel bike for decades because they can fit a wider tire will full fenders for winter riding. But guess what? I bought my first road bike (used) in decades this summer and so I am doing the opposite, I'm gearing up for a winter on the road bike.
Using a 900€ Vitus Energie (2019 CX bike) as a road, gravel and triathlon bike.
Fast enough with 28mm tires for most group rides. Not that bad for triathlon. I can't justify spending a fortune on dedicated road / tri bikes as I'm not a pro and would not win events anyway (being 100th or 50th isn't really important...).
Only wish it has a bigger (or double) chainring sometimes...
I like everything about the new Grail.........apart from the tyre clearance. More clearance wouldn't take anything away from the bike.
You don't have to run bigger tyres if you don't want / need to, but it would be nice to have the option.
I guess Canyon don't want Grail to compete directly with their Grizl.
Problem with offering more tyre clearance would have been keeping the pros happy with big chainset compatibility
Probably true these days, but i've got a Gravel bike, a steel endurance bike (both disc brake) and two road bikes (both rim brakes). When its nice and sunny and dry conditions, the rim brake bikes come back out. They aren't worth much, so not worth selling them, but they are fast when the weathers nice! Obviously if i was buying again, i would probably have gone for all disc brake bikes for my collection.
Gravel bikes? Humph. From what I’ve seen most tracks in the U.K. are more suitable for mountain bikes. Anyway, why pay out large sums of money for a road bike for it to sit in a garage for 6 months of the year? And then pay out similar sums for a gravel bike. It’s not like carbon bikes are going to rot. A modern road bike is very durable and most these days will take fat tyres and some will even take mudguards. And they are faster. With proper gears. And leave the off road stuff for a decent mountain bike.
I always have room for one more bike and this one is very impressive!
My gravel bike is one of the early ones so less clearance, and more roadie geometry though a club mate has last years Grail with the mudguards which he’s very pleased with! But certainly I’ve no desire for a pure road bike admittedly never really did.
If I could really give up any desire in still trying to ride fast I wouldn't have a road race bike, this setup with the fat tyres suits me so much better
@@davidarthur at my fitness and desire to go fast on road, doesn’t seem to be anything in it, fitter folks such as club mate with the Grail probably does but I was never in danger of averaging 20mph/30Kmh partly fitness partly I never raced even just fast club runs wasn’t my thing!
I put slicks on the wheels that came with my Cannondale CX. I usually only ride it on road when I'm on a more relaxed ride. I am considering taking it on a fast group ride out of curiosity though.
I have a Pronghorn cx and have it set up exactly in the same way. I drive half and whole days only. I have discovered so much more when i can improvise without worries of the setup. But i would like to try lighter wheels and tires😊
Thanks for this super informative video, helps me to make a decision. Appreciate the time you put into this.
Thanks for the great video! I love the mud guards.
Good video, I'm impressed with your bike analysis videos, I wanted to migrate to gravel bikes, I'm thinking of buying one, I have on the list the Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2, the Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 Di2, the Focus Atlas 8.8 and the Rose BACKROAD FF GRX RX825 Di2, in your opinion which is better for you?
Great review. Do you prefer this to the Secan?
Can you share your bikesize experience concerning this bike? Does the size you are using correspond with canyons sizing system?
I’m curious. I’m in the marker for a winter bike to ride gravel with the club on weekends and for leisure riding home after work on weekdays. Since I live in Denmark i will definitely enjoy wide tires and mudguards in the poor weather. I don’t pan on it being my only bike. I’m still very happy with my race bike. It may retire my mountain bike, because the local mob park is too dangerous for me, having reached 55 years😅
Nice video, I do see one issue with the rear mudguard though. It's not long enough at the bottom bracket. My current guard has the same issue. If it rains or is very weg, the water will very probably splash directly into the rear of your shoes :(
Actually, that mudguard quick release setup is very slick! Do Canyon sell these separately?
Cant agree, i have been riding a gravel bike for two years and just upgraded to a road bike it was a complete different world. For all of those who like to chase some koms and actually driving fast with use min 80% on the road i would consider a road bike because the gravel bike takes every emotion out and i wouldnt ever go back unless i would like to drive ONLY gravel because the fun is unbeatable
Road tires or
This comment could use some more context to make complete sense. Are you comparing the gravel bike and the road bike with the same tires, or not?
Youre right im sorry, of course i ment with the same tires but also the weight the geometry the handlebar which was way to big to drive aero the general aerones the responsibility. Often many people don’t understand how far an alrounder can exist and for me it just wont go above a chilled Sunnday rides without speed, special riding emotions from your bike or any goalsettings
This explains my experience better than I can explain it. The gravel bike can do everything my road bike can and more but with a lot more effort and a lot less emotions. Perfectly put.
A workmate who was a serious roadie got into gravel a couple of years ago and loved it. Then he found a bargain second hand TCR barely used and it reminded him how much fun road bikes are. Now he’s back on the road for exactly what you described😁 But he’s kept the gravel bike for bike packing and long weekend gravel adventures as well
Love the paint job of this one! Maybe better to wait till Shimano updates their gravel groupsets though... Still 1 year of lease to go on my current bike, I'm patient :D
Do you put more pressure in your tires on "mostly road" days? I've found with my gravel bike (Crux) I can air up the tires another 10-20 PSI over my "gravel day" pressure to reduce the rolling resistance quite a bit and really make the trade offs pretty small vs. my road bike.
Yes if you know you'll just be on the road I'll go a little higher, but during this test I used the same low pressure as I would off-road and I was surprised just how smooth and fast they rolled
Hmmm got my Kinesis CX light bike with full mudguards+ 32mm Conti 4999 AS .... May try bigger can get 37mm file tire in? But 32nn running around 35PSI is comfortable compared to 28mm 5000 😁
How does this compare to a Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0? Use will be winter road bike with fenders + commuting 15 miles each way 2/3 canal path and 1/3 road then a little bit of weekend gravel sporadically?? Like your thoughts David on best option please
it looks ideal it just misses some suspension rear and front :)
Makes a lot of sense. One wheel set with 32 mm tires would work really well with a racy gravel bike.
Having a second set of wheels is almost there with having two bikes.
Canyon Endurace CF is 2000EUR. Two decent wheels, tyres, cassette and a chain is >1000EUR. And who the hell wants to change wheels and adjust brake calipers before riding.
Or you just buy a 2nd bike, I personally dont want to switch the tires etc everytime.
Nice fender integration
Will you actually be able to get the mud guards? On the first edition Grail, they were almost never available in the U.S.
Speedrockers are the best mudguards I've ever used. They don't need mudguard eyes.
If you wanted the burliness of a gravel bike, but the stack and reach of an endurance bike, what would you buy??
Scott Addict Gravel or Orbea Terra
That Canyon looks better every passing day!
Hi David--I'm in the US. I've never used fenders before, but I am considering getting some for my Enve Melee for this winter. Are there any you recommend that would work with that bike as they do on your gravel rig? Thanks.
Hi, I never go round to putting mudguards on the Melee I'm afraid, I would have to check with Enve - SKS and PDW make good mudguards though
David - how would you rate the 1x drive train for road use?
What size tires did you use for this video? And what is your normal summer road bike tire size?
They were 40mm wide tyres and I normally run 28-30mm in the summer
Great video David nice to see you riding my local roads. The new Grail is really tempting, it looks a great all round package. I run a Pinnacle Arkose Ltd for Winter and off roading.
yes
This mudguards only for Canyon? other bike can use & where to buy?
5:01 do these mud guards fit other bikes/brands? I want a pair for my gravel bike!!!