Canyon Grizl:ONfly CF Daily review – this trail-ready e-bike does it all

Introduction

After a ride that’ll get you to and from the office during the week and survive a trip along the trails on the weekends? Most cyclists will say to “just get a gravel bike” – but I’m telling you to get one with a little electrical assistance. The Grizl:ONfly is Canyon’s sweet spot e-bike line, sitting neatly between its MTB and road-focused models, and the CF Daily is possibly the best of the bunch.

The relaxed geometry makes it an ideal commuter steed, while the front suspension and thick tyres can cope with the rough stuff. A carbon frame then keeps weight in check, while motor and battery expert Bosch supplies the power. It’s a combination that should be able to tackle most kinds of riding, and won’t (entirely) leave you a sweaty mess afterwards.

At $4,999/£5,149 it’s a big investment, and not every cyclist thinks e-motors should go with drop bars. After several weeks of riding, though, it ticks almost all of my bike boxes.

Design & build

The Grizl:ONfly CF Daily has a more laid-back riding position than a dedicated road bike, but the RockShox Rudy front suspension and chunky 45mm Schwalbe Overland rubber mean business, as do the sightly flared drop handlebars and sizeable 180mm disc brakes. Wiring is almost entirely internal, keeping it looking very neat.

Front and rear Mudguards and the Fender Rack system (which can hold 15kg) come pre-fitted, hinting at the bike’s dual nature. My back stayed splatter-free on a damp ride on grimy country lanes. The same can’t be said about the Deep Ocean paint scheme, which needed a hose down post-ride. It’s a shame Canyon doesn’t offer the CF Daily in a few more colour options.

This doesn’t immediately scream ‘e-bike’ at first glance – something that’s always near the top of my shopping list. I’m not a fan of bolt-on battery packs, even ones that do a convincing impression of water bottles. Here Canyon has expertly integrated the Compact Tube 400WH battery inside the downtube. The only real giveaways the CF Daily has a motor are the Bosch logo opposite the front derailleur that covers the Performance Line SX motor, and the battery indicator built into the top tube.

Motor and battery only account for 4kg of the bike’s total weight, being the smallest and lightest Bosch offered in its class when the Grizl was being designed. All-in you’re looking at 17.7kg, which is usefully lighter than a lot of the e-bikes I’ve ridden this year. Most tip the scales at over 20kg.

That’s largely down to the carbon fibre frame, which gives just the right amount of flex when going for full-gas efforts. No complaints about the Fizik Argo Terra X5 saddle’s comfort levels, either.

About the only thing I thought was missing for a bike even partly aimed at commuters was a built-in kickstand – though that would be unwanted extra weight to lug around when riding for fun, so it makes sense Canyon doesn’t include one as standard.

Features & range

The power button and battery indicator are stealthed into the top tube, turning on with a press-and-hold then toggling up through four levels of assistance. Coloured LEDs shift from green to blue to purple to red as you request more power, and a second set show how much juice you have remaining.

At its highest setting, expect the battery to be drained after 60km or so – much more if using a lower level. You’ll then have to bring the entire bike to a power outlet; that’s the only real downside of having a fully integrated battery. Charging takes around four hours.

I like how the integrated front and rear Lupine lights automatically light up when you power the bike on, draw power directly from the battery, and always have two hours of illumination in reserve should you run out of assistance but still need to get home. The rear lights are fully integrated into the rear dropouts, well away from any mud spray for better visibility. Things aren’t so slick up front, with the headlight simply bolting onto the handlebar stem. I’ve seen other e-bikes do a neater job here, but you do get more flexibility here to switch out the other cockpit components.

Using Bosch hardware grants the CF Daily use of the firm’s eBike Flow app, which has all the typical features you’d expect including turn-by-turn navigation, fitness tracking and anti-theft tracking. There’s no integrated hub lock here, like you’ll find on city e-bikes like the VanMoof S6, so an angle grinder-resistant chain is definitely a must if you’ll be leaving the bike in public.

Ride & performance

With its DT Swiss HG1800 Spline 28 wheels wrapped in 45mm Schwalbe Overland tyres, the Grizl:ONfly CF Daily delivered ample grip on both road and trail. It felt wonderfully stable across loose terrain, and the 40mm travel in the front suspension fork helps absorb rough surfaces to great effect. There’s no lock-out switch for pure road riding, though – you’ve got to step up to one of Canyon’s higher models for that. I still found suburban and city riding comfortable enough, so would have no hesitation using it for commuting.

Power was always delivered smoothly and relative to my effort, climbing from 40Nm to 55Nm when giving it the beans. You’ve still got to put in the work to summit bigger ascents, and it’s best to tone down the pedal assistance on trails until you’ve got used to the sudden thrust after freewheeling. I didn’t really need maximum assistance for anything but especially loose gravel, where it was better to stay in the saddle. If you’re doing anything more demanding, the pricier CF Trail is probably a better bet.

While I could notice the motor and battery’s extra weight when pushing the bike around on foot and first setting off, it didn’t stand out once I was rolling. The wheels spin with minimal resistance when powered down, and the 12-speed GRX drivetrain adds a level of manual engagement that’s missing from more city-focused e-bikes.

The steering felt wonderfully nimble, and the disc brakes provided reassuring amounts of stopping power at all times, regardless of conditions. There’s very little this e-bike can’t tackle.

Canyon Grizl:ONfly CF Daily verdict

This electric bike really does have something for everyone. Canyon has pitched the Grizl:ONfly CF Daily perfectly, with components that can cope with being rattled across rough gravel trails, a riding position that won’t punish your spine when used on the daily journey to the office, and a frame that can eat up long miles. It’s not ridiculous money, either, given the spec.

The motor provides plenty of pep, but always as a helping hand to what your own legs can provide – and crucially the bike doesn’t feel like a lead weight when pedalling after the battery has depleted. While you could spend more on something even more trail-focused, or even lighter if you favour road riding, I think this is the ideal middle ground for most cyclists.

Canyon Grizl:ONfly CF Daily technical specifications