Things are hotting up at the Traka, and it looks like a bike that everyone in the gravel world has been wondering about for over a year is about to be officially released.
Senior Tech Writer Will Jones spotted what appeared to be a new Canyon Grail CFR in the pits at the Traka today.
The suspension fork equipped Grail CFR RIFT was possibly the worst-kept secret at last year's event, the fork being something of a visual giveaway. However, the bike's clearance remained at a rather conservative official 42mm (though riders are running it with slightly bigger tyres), and a lot of riders have been wondering when, not if, the Grail would receive an update in at least the tyre clearance department, and it seems the time has now come.
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This bike is what we presume to be the new Canyon Grail CFR. The frame looks more aggressive and racier than the existing Grail, and the bike now has dropped seatstays and an interesting seat tube shape, presumably to facilitate an aero seatpost.
We spotted a bike fitted with 29x2.2 Schwalbe tyres, which confirms this is a new bike, and not the existing Grail or the recently released Endurace CFR, which has 35mm tyre clearance.
One bike in the pictures below has a piece of tape applied to the rear of the seattube, presumably hiding the model name, and there just might be some new Schwalbe gravel tyres to look at, too.
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Here are the bikes in the Canyon pits, there's a useful comparison here between the existing Grail and the new bike. Look at the seatposts, seat tubes and dropped seatstays, and the big rubber on the newer bikes. (Image credit: Will Jones)
This rear end looks similar to the new Endurace, take a look at that sculpted seat tube. We are also pretty sure that's a new Schwalbe gravel tyre with 'Race Pro' branding. (Image credit: Will Jones)
This bike has the new non adjustable Canyon CP053 RACE handlebar that launched in tandem with the Endurace, though the front tyre size suggests it's fitted to a gravel bike. (Image credit: Will Jones)
A fairly large downtube here. Spot the frame storage hatch, and top tube and upper down tube mounts. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Here's a different colourway, with what appears to be tape on the upper seat tube - potentially hiding a model name. It's clear from this way tyre clearance has been dramatically increased, and there seems to be integrated frame bags designed for the frame, too. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Those top tube mounts could be for this C02 cannister holder or bags, a neat touch for gravel racers. That head tube is certainly deeper than the current Grail. (Image credit: Will Jones)
We hope we won't have to wait long for this mystery machine to be officially announced - Stay tuned. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
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