The big brand gravel bike battle! Canyon vs Trek! 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. When it comes to price the Grail ranges from $2,299 to $9,549 while the Checkpoint ranges from $2,499.99 to $12,249.99. 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.
When comparing the Canyon Grail CF SL 8 Model to the Trek Checkpoint SL 5 model, (which both cost the same $4,499, the Canyon Grail is 700 grams / 1.54 pounds lighter and more focused on speed and performance when comparing the geometry of both bikes. Meaning the Checkpoint is more comfortable the longer you stay in the saddle, thanks to a more upright stack/reach ratio. The Trek also seems to offer more mounting options to carry all the necessary gear you may need for a minimal bikepacking trip.
When it comes to tire clearance the Grail can fit up to 42 mm while the Checkpoint fits 45mm x 700c or 2.1″ (which is approx 53 mm) x 650b wheels. The Trek has clearance for slightly wider tires which further lends itself to be the superior bike when it comes to all-around adventure.
Both are similar when it comes to gearing (both with 2×11 GRX 800 drivetrains) and hydraulic disc brakes. Different tires with the same 40 mm width, with the Grail on Schwalbe G-One R 40mm and Checkpoint on Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 700c x 40 mm tires.
When taking a look at these bikes’ gearing we found that the Checkpoint has 46-30T crank vs the Grails 48-31T crank and both bikes have 11-34T cassettes in the rear. Both with the same 700c x 40 mm tires. We can calculate that the Checkpoint has a better climbing gear of 24.32″ while the Grail has 25.15″. Meaning that the Checkpoint is slightly more capable when it comes to climbing especially if you plan to use the bike for bikepacking with gear. 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 Checkpoints 115.53″, meaning the Grail offers more gearing for those fast sections.
Compare these bikes to the Cannondale Topstone!
The main difference is in the bike’s geometries. With the Grail with a more aggressive stack/reach ratio (1.27 vs 1.42), the chainstay is 10 mm longer on the Checkpoint and Wheelbase is 12 mm longer too. Again making for a more planted feel when under a load. The trail is 4mm longer on the Checkpoint and the standover height is around 45 mm lower than the Checkpoint. However, the BB Drop and BB Heights are very close with a 1 mm difference. This data is for both medium-sized bikes.
Based on the above information we can conclude that the Checkpoint is better suited for gravel adventure riding where comfort and gear-carrying ability are a main priority, which are some of the main things to look for in an adventure gravel bike. The Grail seems better suited as a gravel racing bike to ride nothing but fast!
Canyon Grail
Cover huge distances at speed and in comfort (as stated by Canyon but when compared to the Checkpoint 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 more all-rounder/adventure cargo-carrying friendly Checkpoint. 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.
Trek Checkpoint
Every gravel grinder and their dog seem to have one of these bikes. So that means they are a great carbon gravel bike option, right? The main feature of the Checkpoint is the lightweight OCLV Carbon frame with IsoSpeed, a decoupler at the top tube/seat tube junction that provides additional compliance over rough terrain so you can stay stronger for longer. A carbon gravel bike made for epic all-road adventures. Explore all models here.
The Checkpoint is the best all-rounder out of the two. More adventure-focused than the Grail, it’s still fast, but more importantly comfortable and smooth, and its versatile design ensures that you’ll reach all the places you dream of exploring on two wheels. If you want to mostly explore (I mean why else would you get a gravel bike?) Then the Checkpoint would be the best option.
Geometry – Grail Vs Checkpoint
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. At first impressions, I was expecting the Grail to be more of a road bike geometry. And that provided to be true with the slightly shorter chainstay and wheelbase for more responsive and snappy control. But all the measurements below are in mm and are for both medium-sized bikes. We can clearly see in the dark red that the Checkpoint is the more upright and therefore comfortable and adventure-focused bike out of the two.
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!
| Bike | Grail | Checkpoint |
| Stack | 536 | 571 |
| Reach | 421 | 403 |
| Stack/Reach Ratio | 1.27 | 1.42 |
| Top Tube Length | 569 | 570 |
| Seat Tube Length | 522 | 540 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73.5 | 73.2 |
| Head Tube Length | 97 | 125 |
| Head Tube Angle | 72.5 | 71.8 |
| BB Drop | 75 | 76 |
| Front Center | 615 | 617 |
| Chainstay Length | 425 | 435 |
| Wheelbase | 1029 | 1041 |
| Rake | 42 | 45 |
| Trail | 66 | 70 |
| Standover Height | 834 | 789 |
The main difference between the two bikes is the stack/reach ratio, being much more aggressive on the Grail. Meaning the Checkpoint is better suited for a more upright riding position adding more comfort in the saddle for those long adventures. This would make the Grail more efficient and faster to ride.
Along with this the Chainstay and Wheelbase are longer on the Checkpoint making it feel a little more planted for loaded adventures. And making the Grail a better bike for speed and performance. You want a shorter chainstay in the rear for quick and snappy bike control.
If you plan to mostly go on adventures with gear the Checkpoint is a no-brainer. But if you are looking for a speedy gravel bike that will keep up with your roadie mates it’s definitely the Grail. People still use the Grail for bikepacking too. However mostly pavement bikepacking with some light gravel. You just benefit a little more with the Checkpoint for bikepacking thanks to its more adventure-focused geometry for stability and comfort. Along with mounts on the forks.
If you plan to cart gear and use your bike for transporting cargo in the form of bikepacking bags. You might be better off with the Checkpoint for its longer wheelbase to avoid heel striking when compared to a shorter wheelbase on the Grail. This longer wheelbase adds better overall stability when the bike is under more of a load.
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 Trek Checkpoint is the 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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