Canyon’s Super Versatile, Affordable New Bike Is Basically the Goldilocks of Gravel

The blend of performance and price are just right for the DTC brand’s latest spin on an all-terrain classic.

Close-up of a person riding a matte gray Canyon road bike with drop handlebars in bright sunlight.

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Published May 20, 2026

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Writing about cool new gear for a living, it’s quite easy to get spoiled; for example, I rarely review a bicycle that isn’t some top-of-the-line carbon fiber dream machine that I adore but probably wouldn’t buy.

However, a couple of years ago, I got a fresh perspective during a trip to Spain, when I rented a Canyon Grail gravel racing bike whose frame was (gasp!) aluminum.

Cyclist wearing black helmet and sunglasses riding a gray Canyon bike through tall grass in sunlight. — With a lighter frame and optimized bars, tire clearance and mounting points, the Grizl 6 maxes out the smiles per mile.

During an epic 76-mile round-trip from Barcelona to Montserrat, I loved how steady and sturdy the bike felt on mixed surfaces.

I was also pleasantly surprised that it didn’t weigh me down (too much) on the tough 5.3-mile, 1,880-foot final climb to the 1,001-year-old Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.

Man with a beard and tattoos wearing cycling gear and sunglasses standing with a teal Canyon bike on a mountain overlook. — Aluminum for the win: the author with his rented Grail at the top of Montserrat.

Perhaps that’s why I’m so stoked about the brand’s latest release, the new aluminum-framed, adventure-focused Grizl 6, whose combo of features and price makes it something I actually would buy if I were gravel shopping.

Happy medium

Right off the bat, I should note that the Grizl 6 is part of a three-bike launch that also includes a new Grizl 5 and Grizl 7 ESC, but it’s the only one coming to the US.

That’s fine with me, as it’s my favorite of the bunch (especially in the Off Berry hue that is reportedly headed stateside soon).

Boasting SRAM Apex 1×12 Double Tap shifting performance, Schwalbe G-One RX tubeless-ready tires, a nice price of $1,999 and some impressive tweaks.

1. Frame game

Matte gray Canyon gravel bike with drop handlebars and two water bottles on a forest trail.

The Grizl 6’s refined yet tough new frame comes in 4.2 pounds lighter than its predecessor, putting the overall weight for a medium at 23.22 pounds. From this base emerges a nimble superstar that can handle everything from city streets to single track, within reason.

2. Better bar

Close-up of a gray bicycle frame with black drop handlebars wrapped in black tape and a knobby tire.

The sculpted aluminum bars minimize pressure points while 16 degrees of flare boost control when you’re ripping downhill. Meanwhile, a standard 1 1/8” steerer, external cable routing, a round 27.2mm seatpost and a threaded T47 BB standard offer high reliability and user-friendly maintenance.

3. Big wheels

Close-up of a gray Canyon bike frame with a black water bottle, black frame bag, and knobby Schwalbe G-One tire.

Gravel tires just keep getting bigger, and the Grizl 6 jumps on that trend. While it comes with suitably beefy 45mm tires, it has clearance for up to 54mm, equivalent to a 2.1-inch mountain bike tire. If you’re looking to tackle particularly gnarly terrain sans suspension, that volume will come up huge, literally and figuratively.

4. Mounts galore

Matte gray Canyon gravel bike with black water bottles, frame bag, and drop handlebars in a forest setting.

Heading out on an all-day trip or an extended backpacking adventure? This bike offers loads of attachment points for bottles, cargo cages, locks and even a “pizza rack” up front. Canyon knows what it is doing, too, as its shop offers literally dozens of gravel accessories that are perfectly compatible.

Availability and pricing

The Canyon Grizl 6 is available now in one color (Milk, with Off Berry to follow in a few weeks) and seven sizes for $1,999.

Beige Canyon gravel bike with black saddle, drop handlebars, and knobby tires.

Canyon Grizl 6

$1,999 at Canyon

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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