The big brand gravel bike battle! Canyon vs Specialized! Which gravel bike is best? We are going to compare these two iconic gravel bikes side by side and see what the difference is between each.
Introducing the Canyon Grail
Cover huge distances at speed and in comfort (as stated by Canyon but when compared to the Cannondale simply due to the much lower stack/reach comfort would be sacrificed over the long haul). However, that is the promise by Canyon with their Grail gravel bike.
It is the ultimate all-rounder, offering road bike speed, all-terrain control, and grip with stable but also agile handling. The CF SLX model is designed to win races, while they also offer other more accessible models if you just want to ride fast and save some coin.
The Grail is more focused on speed and performance on gravel terrain compared to the Diverge which also has rather uprioght riding postioning but also offers that fun for the more techniqual stuff.The Grail has been used in some long-distance endurance events. Featuring a spot amongst some of the fastest gravel bikes. The Grail comes in 12 different build options including women’s gravel bikes.
Introducing the Specialized Diverge
The Specialized Diverge has to be one of the most popular gravel bikes on the market.
However, the Diverge comes in a plethora of build options. Available in their standard Diverge, models, STR (which features their special suspension technology), and the Diverge flat bar, as the Grail doesn’t offer a flat bar gravel bike. Which is a popular choice for those looking for a commuter/gravel bike!
This comparison gets interesting when we compare two bikes like these which both have progressive gravel geometry and overall design. So it’s going to be super interesting to jump into the details of each bike with you to figure out which is better for you.
Price – Grail Vs Diverge
When it comes to price the Grail ranges from $2,299 to $9,549 while the Diverge has a plethora of options ranging from $1,100 to $14,000. But what really is the difference and which one is best for you and your riding goals?
There are so many different models to choose from for each bike. For this article, we have taken their mid-range (best bang for buck option as a main comparison. Instead of comparing all models together.)
The Canyon Grail was built to be a bike that maintains similar performance and speed to a road bike on asphalt while also offering the comfort and control, a road bike may lack, on gravel.
While the Specialized Diverge could potentially be one of the better all-rounder gravel bikes you can buy. Offering speed and capablility for overnight adventures (and more recommended for adventure compared to the Grail). All packaged in a bike that is going to give you a fun time.
Weight – Grail Vs Diverge
When comparing the Canyon Grail CF SL 8 model ($3,199) to the Diverge Sport Carbon at $3,500. The Canyon Grail weighs 19.8 pounds / 8.98 kg while the Specialized Diverge weighs 21 lbs and 5 oz / 9.67 kg.
All different build options and models weigh differently. But from the numbers above we can see the Grail is more suited to riding fast and performance-based riding, thanks to its lightweight construction.
Meaning the Diverge is more comfortable the longer you stay in the saddle, thanks to a more upright stack/reach ratio.
Tire Clearance – Grail Vs Diverge
When it comes to tire clearance the Grail can fit up to 42 mm x 700c while the Diverge fits 47mm x 700c and 2.1” x 650b. As the Diverge has slightly wider clearance, it lends itself to be the superior bike when it comes to all-around adventure.
The Diverge comes stock with Pathfinder Pro 2BR Tan sidewall 700 x 42 mm tires. While the Grail comes with the Schwalbe G-One R 40mm tires.
Gearing – Grail Vs Diverge
When taking a look at these particular bikes’ gearing we found that the Specialized Diverge has 26.41″ climbing gear vs the Grails 25.15″. Unfortanuetly Specialized Diverge that is a simialr price for comaprison is onlyn a 1x setup, which really limits its gearing.
A 2x alloy frame Diverge model at around $2000 has approximately a 23″ climbing gear which is way better.
However, this means that the Grail is slightly more capable when it comes to climbing especially if you plan to use the bike for bikepacking with gear. Even though the Grail is overall not as ideal as the Diverge when it comes to adventure geometry and build.
For bikepacking however this climbing gear isn’t the most ideal for solely bikepacking. You want something more like an MTB at 18″ to 20″.
When it comes to the largest gear is often attributed to riding fast on the flats or riding downhill. The Grail offers a 120.50″ vs the Diverge 101.17″, meaning the Grail offers more gearing for those fast sections.
And this makes sense as you would choose the Grail if you want the fastest gravel bike out of the two.
Geometry – Grail Vs Diverge
Geometry can play a big part in the difference between how a bike rides and feels. It is definitely something to consider when buying a bike.
Want to learn more about understanding bike geometry? Read this article which goes through all the jargon and what it means for a comfortable ride!
First impressions, we can see that the Grail is more of a racing and performance-focused gravel bike while the Diverge is more well-rounded for adventure as well as speed.
Mainly due to the difference in stack/reach ratio measurements. But all the measurements below are in mm and are for both medium-sized bikes.
The main difference is in the bike’s geometries. The Grail has a more aggressive stack/reach ratio (1.27 vs 1.56), and the chainstay is the same at 425 mm. Which means for both bikes the rear feels quick and is rather short comapred to other gravel bikes.
The wheelbase is longer by 13 mm on the Diverge. Which makes it a more planted bike for carrying gear compared to the grail. Which again makes the Diverge better suited for gravel biking adventures.
The trail is 8.8 mm longer on the Grail. 66 mm for the Grail which is on the high end giving the front a stable ride feel. The Diverge has a 57.2 mm trail which is mid-range seeming predictable in the steering.
The standover height is 55 mm higher on the Grail.
Based on the above information we can conclude that they have similar riding characteristics in the rear of both bikes. The Grail seems better suited as a gravel racing bike to ride nothing but fast. Thanks to its aggressive stack/reach ratio.
The more upright riding position of the diverge suggests it’s better suited for adventure cycling offering more comfort for the long haul.
But it still has the quick rear end which makes this bike fast but also adventure focused in a way. Giving you the best of both worlds in theroy.
The Diverge is a more well-rounded gravel bike, that offers more adaptability to different riding uses, compared to the Grail.
| Bike | Grail | Diverge |
| Stack | 536 | 610 |
| Reach | 421 | 392 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.27 | 1.56 |
| Top Tube Length | 569 | – |
| Seat Tube Length | 522 | 500 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73.5 | 73.5 |
| Head Tube Length | 97 | 133 |
| Head Tube Angle | 72.5 | 71.75 |
| BB Drop | 75 | 80 |
| Front Center | 615 | 630 |
| Chainstay Length | 425 | 425 |
| Wheelbase | 1029 | 1042 |
| Rake | 42 | 55 |
| Trail | 66 | 57.2 |
| Standover Height | 834 | 779 |
If you plan to mostly go on adventures with gear the Specialized Diverge is the better optioon, esspecially if you can get it in a model that offers a 2x drivetrain or sacrific on spec quality and pick up a model with a better climbing gear then what we compared.
But if you are looking for a speedy gravel bike that will keep up with your roadie mates the Grail is slightly more preferred.
People still use the Grail for bikepacking too. However mostly pavement bikepacking with some light gravel. You just benefit a little more with the Diverge for bikepacking thanks to its more adventure-focused upright geometry for stability and comfort and slightly wider tire clearance.
It’s simply a more versatile bike. The geometry of the Diverge however still makes for a fun and fast gravel bike.
It seems if you are coming from a roadie background and are looking for a bike with larger tire clearance the Grail is your go-to. Allowing you to maintain the performance of a road bike but have the ability to ride gravel more comfortably and efficiently, compared to a road bike.
But if you want a gravel bike that can ride road just as well as gravel but also take you on bikepacking trips with reasonable comfortability. The Specialized Diverge is your potenital do-it-all solution out of the two bikes.
However, both bikes are amazing in their own right. And at times it can be difficult to recommend one bike over the other when they are both great bikes and offer something special. But I hope this article clears up some questions you might have had.
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