Canyon Grand Canyon Review

The Canyon Grand Canyon hardtail has been a classic for decades. With its great value and wide range of applications, can the Grand Canyon still impress in 2024?

The Canyon Grand Canyon has the reputation of being the perfect beginner’s bike. But do you have to demote a bike to beginner status simply because it’s priced under €2000? In our test, we questioned whether this is a fair assessment, or if there’s more potential in an aluminum hardtail with 120mm of travel.

The Canyon Grand Canyon is not a cheap imitation of an expensive racing hardtail. With 120mm of travel on the fork, a dropper post, and grippy tires, it’s clearly ready to tackle technical terrain. This rig is more than capable of handling more than just gravel paths and is more comfortable than a bastard file. The more expensive counterpart of this bike is not so much to be found among racing hardtails, but rather among the touring full-suspensions.

This is because there are significant overlaps with the Neuron touring full-suspensions from Canyon in both specs and intended use. And the price point for the full-suspension fun begins exactly where the Grand Canyon series ends. Because the most affordable Neuron full-suspension is priced at 1899 €. That’s just 100 € more than our test bike, the top model of the Grand Canyon series.

Our comparison, however, indicates that at a similar price point, the Grand Canyon Hardtail is lighter and, more importantly, better specced. This is one reason why, in this price range, we generally lean towards recommending a Hardtail over a Full-Suspension bike in our buyer’s guide.

The Canyon Grand Canyon 9 combines an attractive price with a wealth of features. The dropper post, the generously spec’d Schwalbe tires, and the 120mm fork broaden the bike’s range of use but also add to the overall weight. With over 2 kilos, the frame weight is also on the heavier side.

The table below clearly shows that a hardtail tipping the scales at 13.25 kilograms is not considered featherweight. However, the competition is only able to achieve lower weights at a higher price or with less suspension travel (Radon) and without a dropper post.

With that in mind, the Canyon Grand Canyon doesn’t take home any awards for being the lightest, but it holds its own and is at least a kilogram lighter than comparable full-suspension bikes.

The aluminum tubing of the Grand Canyon is neatly crafted. For the bottom bracket, Canyon employs a press-fit version on this model. Replacing such a bottom bracket can be a bit brutal. Quick re-greasing to silence creaking is not an option. DIY enthusiasts tend to prefer a threaded BSA bottom bracket.

The cables run unguided through the down tube and are wrapped in small foam sleeves. This ensures no rattling noise on the trail.

Furthermore, the rear triangle features tiny threaded eyelets for mounting a fender, or a rack for everyday use or extended bikepacking trips. Overall, the frame gives off a functional impression. Nothing more, nothing less.

Featuring high-quality components at a great price is a hallmark of Canyon. Their direct sales model without intermediaries allows for greater margin flexibility. Canyon reaches for much higher-end drivetrains, brakes, and suspension forks compared to its competitors.

The bike not only exudes a high-quality impression but is also designed for long-term enjoyment. The Shimano brakes, drive components, and the Fox suspension fork can effortlessly be maintained for over 10 years with a little TLC. Especially since all components are at the cutting edge of technology, you’re well-equipped for the future.

Upon first mount, it becomes immediately apparent: The Canyon Grand Canyon is no superbike. The balanced riding position is more upright than that of a race-oriented hardtail. The initial pedal stroke could be a tad more nimble, with the relatively heavy tires making their presence felt. However, once the bike is up to speed, it performs well. You might not set any climbing PRs, but you’ll conquer every ascent with ease.

On the descent, the combination of solid geometry, with a low bottom bracket, and the dropper post is truly enjoyable. The large 29er wheels roll smoothly over small bumps. Bigger jumps are met with distinct feedback from the rigid rear end. That’s just how it is with hardtails.

The 34 Fox fork operates with incredible sensitivity. In terms of responsiveness, the Rhythm model can compete with the highest-end forks on the market at any time. Aggressive riders will likely increase the compression setting using the simple adjustment lever.

The Shimano SLX brakes offer great ergonomics and provide solid stopping power even for heavier riders. This further contributes to a confidence-inspiring feel on descents. While modern mountain bikes tend to have slacker head angles, the 67.5 degrees here is still well within the sweet spot.

The Grand Canyon is available in 8 different builds. Four of them are women-specific models with tailored geometry. We’ve taken a closer look at all the options. Using the arrow icon , you can drag individual models into the comparison with any other bike from our extensive market overview.