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Which bike? Salsa Warbird CF vs Canyon Grail CF SL 7? (lemm.ee)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/bicycling

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Hey y'all! Wondering if people will share their opinions please on these two new Gravel bikes I am looking at.

First, I ride casually, on the weekends. I want to spend equal time on- and off-road; there are lots of compacted gravel and dirt roads near me I want to ride. I have a road bike now, but its 25mm wheels and its slicks don't do dirt and gravel like I want.

First, the Salsa Warbird C GRX 600 1x:
https://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/2024-warbird-c-grx-600-1x

$3300 USD MSRP but a LBS has one for $2800.

Warbird C GRX 600 is a carbon gravel bike with a few tricks you won’t find anywhere else. The frameset features our gravel race geometry, a perfect blend of stability and comfort that only comes from decades of gravel riding experience. Our Class 5™ VRS (vibration reduction system) cuts chatter — and fatigue — from rugged roads that would otherwise beat you up.

OTOH, the Canyon CF SL 7:
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/outlet-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail-cf-sl-7/3095.html

Actually a mix of GRX 600 and 800 parts and an FSA Crank.

If you need to shake up your riding routine, then gravel is the answer. The lightweight Grail CF SL 7 is a hugely versatile bike ready for all your year-round off-road adventures, and comes complete with Shimano’s GRX810 gravel groupset.

I'm leaning toward the Canyon, but would appreciate any feedback / other ideas you all have for a gravel bike in the same price range, available new in the US. Cheers!

Edited for clarity.

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[–] PlantJam 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The canyon has a 1 1/4" (1.25") steerer tube. This will make replacing the stem more difficult because almost all other brands use 1 1/8 (1.125"). Ritchey makes a stem for 1 1/4" steerer tubes if you get the canyon and need to replace the stem.

I'm also skeptical of the integrated seatpost clamp, but that's just a gut feeling rather than personal experience.

Also consider the kind of riding you really want to be doing. Are there even rougher trails you would like to get on if your bike could handle it? If so a hardtail mountain bike is worth considering.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Oh good calls on the steerer tube and the seat post. I'll keep them in mind.