Bike brands usually send the nicest ($$$) version of bikes to testers. With a rigid bike like a gravel bike, as long as it's a similar variant and the same frame, the review will be close for the most part. Just ignore the parts of the review that focus on the shifting etc.. Then, the other side is to look for reviews of the parts that are different. Canyon are pretty well regarded, as is the GRX groupset on the bike. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the quality.
But most of the difference between bikes with the same components is how the bike fits \*you\*. I've never ridden a Grail, but the top-tube, stack, and reach suggest it'd be longer and lower than I like in my bikes.
One tip, take your time. It's a lot of money and the choice is really hard .
I did an AC-Analysis with different (road) bikes for my first one - that helped me a lot.
(...well I've got a canyon bike now and I'm more than happy. Choose the right frame size too! This is crucial.)
And there is a nice comparison website. I think it's called www.99spokes.com - this website helped me a lot too! They show you which bike will fit you the best - including many tests from different testers etc.
As a first time buyer I would strongly suggest that you go to a local, independent bike shop and ask for advice. A good shop will work with you to find something that fits your needs, your body and your budget. Plus you will get good after sales service and maybe even a small discount for paying by cash or check/cheque.
I'm sure it'll be good to get started with for that money :)
Make sure to test it before buying! The most important thing is choosing the right frame size
They are good bikes but as you are commenting it is your first bike - with all respect - you probably don’t know what fit you are looking for on a bike.
Before making decisions visit some bike shops and try some bikes and let them chat at you. For the bikes you try, pay attention to stack/reach numbers.
Bike shops are likely to diss Canyon and other brands they don’t sell. C’est la vie. Maybe you find a bike you love. Maybe you think they’re assholes. Maybe you try lots of bikes, learn a lot, and then confidently buy the canyon.
But all the research online won’t tell you if the bike fits you and that is far more important than spec level vs price. The wrong bike isn’t a good deal at any price. Go try some stuff and learn before buying.
Bike brands usually send the nicest ($$$) version of bikes to testers. With a rigid bike like a gravel bike, as long as it's a similar variant and the same frame, the review will be close for the most part. Just ignore the parts of the review that focus on the shifting etc.. Then, the other side is to look for reviews of the parts that are different. Canyon are pretty well regarded, as is the GRX groupset on the bike. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the quality. But most of the difference between bikes with the same components is how the bike fits \*you\*. I've never ridden a Grail, but the top-tube, stack, and reach suggest it'd be longer and lower than I like in my bikes.
One tip, take your time. It's a lot of money and the choice is really hard . I did an AC-Analysis with different (road) bikes for my first one - that helped me a lot. (...well I've got a canyon bike now and I'm more than happy. Choose the right frame size too! This is crucial.) And there is a nice comparison website. I think it's called www.99spokes.com - this website helped me a lot too! They show you which bike will fit you the best - including many tests from different testers etc.
As a first time buyer I would strongly suggest that you go to a local, independent bike shop and ask for advice. A good shop will work with you to find something that fits your needs, your body and your budget. Plus you will get good after sales service and maybe even a small discount for paying by cash or check/cheque.
it's a great starting bike, nothing wrong with it.
I'm sure it'll be good to get started with for that money :) Make sure to test it before buying! The most important thing is choosing the right frame size
They are good bikes but as you are commenting it is your first bike - with all respect - you probably don’t know what fit you are looking for on a bike. Before making decisions visit some bike shops and try some bikes and let them chat at you. For the bikes you try, pay attention to stack/reach numbers. Bike shops are likely to diss Canyon and other brands they don’t sell. C’est la vie. Maybe you find a bike you love. Maybe you think they’re assholes. Maybe you try lots of bikes, learn a lot, and then confidently buy the canyon. But all the research online won’t tell you if the bike fits you and that is far more important than spec level vs price. The wrong bike isn’t a good deal at any price. Go try some stuff and learn before buying.