Canyon Grail Al vs Specialized Diverge Comp E5
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Canyon Grail Al vs Specialized Diverge Comp E5
Hi,
I want to by my first gravel bike and could use some advice on the geometry of the Canyon Grail AL (WMN 6.0 or 7.0) because I can't test the bike where I live.
I tried a few gravel bikes and I really liked the fit of the Specialized Diverge (Comp E5) and also the Jamis Renegade A1. Compared to those bikes the Cannondale Topstone and the Trek Checkpoint AL felt quite long for me. I compared the geometry of the bikes on 99spokes.com and top tube lengths and reach look similar to me. But as a newbie, am I looking at the right numbers here?
I would go with the Diverge, but it is basically out of stock in my size (and the colour I would like) at the moment and I am also hesitant because of the tire clearance.
I love the design of the Canyon (and specs read great), but I am worried about ordering a bike that I haven't checked.
Anyone out there who rode both bikes and can say how they compare?
I want to by my first gravel bike and could use some advice on the geometry of the Canyon Grail AL (WMN 6.0 or 7.0) because I can't test the bike where I live.
I tried a few gravel bikes and I really liked the fit of the Specialized Diverge (Comp E5) and also the Jamis Renegade A1. Compared to those bikes the Cannondale Topstone and the Trek Checkpoint AL felt quite long for me. I compared the geometry of the bikes on 99spokes.com and top tube lengths and reach look similar to me. But as a newbie, am I looking at the right numbers here?
I would go with the Diverge, but it is basically out of stock in my size (and the colour I would like) at the moment and I am also hesitant because of the tire clearance.
I love the design of the Canyon (and specs read great), but I am worried about ordering a bike that I haven't checked.
Anyone out there who rode both bikes and can say how they compare?
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Oh, just going from memory I though the Diverge felt a little sluggish and I thought it was too easy to hit the pedal the way I ride. Canyon was pretty lively feeling - but I haven't ridden the AL version.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
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Oh, just going from memory I though the Diverge felt a little sluggish and I thought it was too easy to hit the pedal the way I ride. Canyon was pretty lively feeling - but I haven't ridden the AL version.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
#4
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https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=c...;*z.50cm|w.700
It is a shame there's not more tyre clearance on the al Diverge. The frame geometry (including low bb and short chainstay) is fairly unique at that price point.
Stack and reach is where you want to start, in comparing models. The Grail -as you can see from the geo chart- is rather different.
It is a shame there's not more tyre clearance on the al Diverge. The frame geometry (including low bb and short chainstay) is fairly unique at that price point.
Stack and reach is where you want to start, in comparing models. The Grail -as you can see from the geo chart- is rather different.
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I have a diverge e5 and love it , also have a specialized roubiax. The diverge feels like a cockpit and actually seems faster than my roubiax. I have 32 gravelkings on it right now and going to increase to the next size this summer. Have never ridden a canyon.
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But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
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Well, you don't pay for shipping at all on the bike you return. Free return shipping, and 100% money back. If you return, there is no cost to you. Unboxing is fun. Reboxing is a a hassle. I photographed my unboxing so I could redo-it, but that was not necessary. They have a really good video on how to box up and return a bike. Canyon's customer service (in California) was excellent in every interaction I had.
If you ask really nice, they might even pay for the shipping to ya. I had no shipping charges to do this. I did order a spare stem too.
I don't know what there policy is with Japan. But if they ship it to ya, you can return it for free for a 100% refund. You can always ask. ;-)
I like this idea. It is a hassle to box and ship, maybe take a lot of photos as you unpack to put it all back. Plus you pay for shipping ?, $75 or so ?. Maybe order a few stems as well in a size up and down to swap for a fine tune. But you get 30 days and that’s a better test ride than around the parking lot at the LBS, which isn’t convenient anyway.
If you ask really nice, they might even pay for the shipping to ya. I had no shipping charges to do this. I did order a spare stem too.
I don't know what there policy is with Japan. But if they ship it to ya, you can return it for free for a 100% refund. You can always ask. ;-)
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Pay attention if you plan to use racks or fenders. Canyon Grail AL since 2020 does not have mount holes for racks and supports only proprietary fenders (which are out of stock at Canyon). Though their website still holds pictures from 2019 model which had rack mounting holes.
I have just received my Canyon Grail this week and already packed for return due this.
Talking about geometry - I really liked the bike - lively, comfortable and lightweight (mine is SL version with SRAM). Had a dilemma should I keep it or return. Decided with latest as I do not want to lock in with a single vendor as price is not low and I'm buying a bike for 10 years.
I have just received my Canyon Grail this week and already packed for return due this.
Talking about geometry - I really liked the bike - lively, comfortable and lightweight (mine is SL version with SRAM). Had a dilemma should I keep it or return. Decided with latest as I do not want to lock in with a single vendor as price is not low and I'm buying a bike for 10 years.
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Pay attention if you plan to use racks or fenders. Canyon Grail AL since 2020 does not have mount holes for racks and supports only proprietary fenders (which are out of stock at Canyon). Though their website still holds pictures from 2019 model which had rack mounting holes.
I have just received my Canyon Grail this week and already packed for return due this.
Talking about geometry - I really liked the bike - lively, comfortable and lightweight (mine is SL version with SRAM). Had a dilemma should I keep it or return. Decided with latest as I do not want to lock in with a single vendor as price is not low and I'm buying a bike for 10 years.
I have just received my Canyon Grail this week and already packed for return due this.
Talking about geometry - I really liked the bike - lively, comfortable and lightweight (mine is SL version with SRAM). Had a dilemma should I keep it or return. Decided with latest as I do not want to lock in with a single vendor as price is not low and I'm buying a bike for 10 years.
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OP, is this something you need to buy right now? While I am an advocate of riding a bike daily, and each day you'd wait to buy is another day not riding, knowing a bit about how Specialized works their product releases, and knowing that US and most European stocks are at nil or very low on all Diverge models, AND that the FutureShock 2.0 was released on the Roubaix last year, I'm fairly confident that there will be a new Diverge frameset (and of course whole bike builds) available in the market sometime in early spring. My point is that if you buy now, you're potentially buying a bike that will almost immediately be replaced with an improved frame (think newer FutureShock and potentially other "gimmicks" to improve comfort and performance).
Last edited by Badger6; 03-07-20 at 09:00 AM.
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Oh, just going from memory I though the Diverge felt a little sluggish and I thought it was too easy to hit the pedal the way I ride. Canyon was pretty lively feeling - but I haven't ridden the AL version.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
But with Canyon, I just waited until the end of my billing cycle, bought two bikes, kept the one that fit me best, and sent the other one back. Had the bike for a couple weeks, then sent it back (in "as new" condition). Basically, like having a test ride from an LBS but at home. Reboxing was time consuming, but I got the bike that worked best for me (just send it back before your billing cycle is done, lol.
#12
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I road tested the Specialized Comp E5 and really liked the feel of it. The LBS only had it in Black, I definitely didn't want the Pink, I searched
local shops until I found one available in the Green color. I really wanted a high gloss not matted finish. Anyway I went ahead an bought
the Green matted finish and have grown to really love it. I liked the colors on the Trek Checkpoint better but once I rode a couple of versions,
I just knew that the Specialized was the right bike for me.
local shops until I found one available in the Green color. I really wanted a high gloss not matted finish. Anyway I went ahead an bought
the Green matted finish and have grown to really love it. I liked the colors on the Trek Checkpoint better but once I rode a couple of versions,
I just knew that the Specialized was the right bike for me.
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P.S. I've returned bike back last week (I'm in Europe). 5 days ago it reached Canyon and received refund today. Pretty quick turn around.
Last edited by Pawka; 03-16-20 at 07:53 AM.
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Your best bet is probably to watch the video. Its not hard, just like doing a puzzle - fitting all the cardboard piece together the way they are designed to fit. I photographed my unboxing in detail so I could put my bike back in the box (so I haven't used the video).
Canyon does an amazing job of boxing. Probably better than anyone. I've heard of many mailorder bikes that get delivered with bent derailer hangers and need to be taken to a shop to be repaired. It would be hard to mess up a Canyon bike in shipping unless the box took a very serious hit.
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I got an AL Grail last Fall and was worried about the fit and everything. I followed their instruction and ordered a L even though I felt I needed an XL. They knew what they were talking about and it was legit and fit well. The bike is comfortable and faster than my old Trek.
If I HAD to send it back it would have been a pain in the butt, but doable. I didn't have to send it back and am very happy with my Canyon.
However, if you "really like" the Specialized then just get it and don't fix what isn't broken; don't worry about all the "what ifs" with a Canyon.
EDIT: I personally like having the Canyon, whichis are uncommon [bikes] around here my area.
Yeah, I can see I worded that funny. And I like to have things that are less common when I'm able.
If I HAD to send it back it would have been a pain in the butt, but doable. I didn't have to send it back and am very happy with my Canyon.
However, if you "really like" the Specialized then just get it and don't fix what isn't broken; don't worry about all the "what ifs" with a Canyon.
EDIT: I personally like having the Canyon, which
Yeah, I can see I worded that funny. And I like to have things that are less common when I'm able.
Last edited by Junkbeast; 03-22-20 at 08:07 AM.
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you meant to say "not" uncommon?
I love mine. I have always dreamed about having a bike as fast as my track bike and as comfortable as my mountain bike. I though that was an impossible dream, but that is what I got. First couple of weeks I kept stopping to check the air in my rear tire - it was so comfortable I thought I was getting a flat. And, it was $2,000 cheaper than the specialized I was cross shopping it with.
People stare at me as I pass them on twisty mountain bike trails, it climbs like a goat (on nothing too rough obviously).
People stare at me as I take this thing out on race paced group rides or even crits (on road tires, obviously).
I love mine. I have always dreamed about having a bike as fast as my track bike and as comfortable as my mountain bike. I though that was an impossible dream, but that is what I got. First couple of weeks I kept stopping to check the air in my rear tire - it was so comfortable I thought I was getting a flat. And, it was $2,000 cheaper than the specialized I was cross shopping it with.
People stare at me as I pass them on twisty mountain bike trails, it climbs like a goat (on nothing too rough obviously).
People stare at me as I take this thing out on race paced group rides or even crits (on road tires, obviously).
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you meant to say "not" uncommon?
I love mine. I have always dreamed about having a bike as fast as my track bike and as comfortable as my mountain bike. I though that was an impossible dream, but that is what I got. First couple of weeks I kept stopping to check the air in my rear tire - it was so comfortable I thought I was getting a flat. And, it was $2,000 cheaper than the specialized I was cross shopping it with.
People stare at me as I pass them on twisty mountain bike trails, it climbs like a goat (on nothing too rough obviously).
People stare at me as I take this thing out on race paced group rides or even crits (on road tires, obviously).
I love mine. I have always dreamed about having a bike as fast as my track bike and as comfortable as my mountain bike. I though that was an impossible dream, but that is what I got. First couple of weeks I kept stopping to check the air in my rear tire - it was so comfortable I thought I was getting a flat. And, it was $2,000 cheaper than the specialized I was cross shopping it with.
People stare at me as I pass them on twisty mountain bike trails, it climbs like a goat (on nothing too rough obviously).
People stare at me as I take this thing out on race paced group rides or even crits (on road tires, obviously).
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