Rose Backroad vs. Canyon Grizl: Differences, Generations and Used Prices (2026)

The Canyon Grizl is the tougher adventure gravel bike: more tyre clearance (now 54 mm) and an option with a 40 mm suspension fork. The Rose Backroad is the tidier all-rounder with slightly less weight, and its new generation now has frame storage, USB-C and up to 53 mm of clearance. Both were redesigned in 2025 (Grizl in July, Backroad in August). Used, the previous-generation carbon models cost almost the same: a carbon Grizl (2021–2025) typically sells for around €1,950 on buycycle, a carbon Backroad (2020–2025) for around €2,000.

As of 3 November 2026. Used prices: analysis of more than 3,700 Grizl and Backroad listings (excluding the Backroad FF) on buycycle.

Rose Backroad or Canyon Grizl: the short version

Which generations exist? How to tell the model year

Both bikes got a new generation in 2025: the Grizl on 1 July 2025, the Backroad on 28 August 2025. The most reliable way to tell them apart is the storage hatch in the down tube. The model year in a listing is entered by the seller and is not always right. If in doubt, ask for photos of the down tube.

Two pitfalls:

1. A "Grizl AL 2026" can still be the old frame. The new alloy frame only arrived in May 2026. Many 2026 aluminium listings still state a new price of €1,499, which fits the old model.
2. Canyon sometimes labels the second generation "2027". Some listings and magazines call the Escape models and the new alloy Grizl model year 2027. It is the same generation.

Tyre clearance: how wide does it really go?

The second-generation Grizl takes up to 54 mm, the new carbon Backroad up to 53 mm (aluminium: 50 mm). On the older bikes the Grizl leads clearly with 50 mm against 45 to 47 mm on the Backroad.

The numbers differ between sources, so here is what we found:

• Backroad 2020–2025: TOUR gives a maximum of 47 mm, but only with small 650B wheels. On 700c, the stock limit is 45 mm. road.cc says 47 mm (700c) and 50 mm (650B).
• Backroad from 2026: TOUR lists 53 mm for carbon and 50 mm for aluminium. BIKE says "up to 54 mm" in its test of a carbon model. We could not confirm whether the new generation still accepts 650B wheels.
• Grizl: 50 mm in the first generation (TOUR, less with mudguards), 54 mm since July 2025 in all sizes.

Both bikes usually ship with 45 mm tyres. The extra width is a reserve for bikepacking and rough ground, not a must. For used buyers: an older Backroad will not take 50 mm tyres on 700c wheels.

Geometry and riding position: is the Backroad more upright?

No. In TOUR's lab both bikes had the same stack-to-reach ratio of 1.50 (2023 test). The often-repeated "Backroad more upright, Grizl sportier" comes from forums and does not match the measurement.

The new generations both get a bit more long-distance friendly: more stack, slacker head angle. For the Grizl, road.cc reports 71° (0.5° slacker than before) and 5 mm longer chainstays (440 instead of 435 mm). For the Backroad, TOUR lists 600/402 mm (stack/reach, sizes M and L) for carbon, an STR of 1.49. The new Grizl is at 596/404 mm according to road.cc (no size given). Both stay at a similarly sporty position.

Sizes: Rose has used numbers so far (47 to 62), Canyon uses letters (2XS to 2XL). The new Backroad generation also uses letters (carbon XS to XL, aluminium XXS to XXL). As a rough guide, a Backroad 53 is an M and a 57 is an L. Go by reach and your height rather than the letters, and try a bike for size if you can.

Weight, specs and new prices (for comparison)

By manufacturer figures the Backroad is slightly lighter: carbon from 9.1 kg, aluminium from 10.4 kg. The Grizl carbon models sit at 10 kg and up, the aluminium ones at around 10.5 kg. New prices are only a reference point for the used prices further down.

Sources: TOUR (28 Aug 2025 and 1 Jul 2025), BIKE (26 Oct 2025), bike-x (19 May 2026), manufacturer figures as quoted in these tests. Prices are those quoted at launch and have partly moved since.

Measured, the differences are small: BIKE weighed a Backroad GRX 820 at 9.83 kg and a Grizl CF 7 at 9.99 kg. In the older TOUR duel (2023) the Backroad weighed 9.0 kg and the Grizl 9.2 kg, at €3,299 each. TOUR gave the Backroad a 1.7 and the Grizl a 1.8 (German scale, lower is better). The Backroad won narrowly on weight, the Grizl offered more rear comfort and more tyre clearance.

Bikepacking: mounts, storage, lights and power

For heavy luggage the Grizl is the better base: more mounts, Canyon racks and a suspension-fork option. On the new Backroad, Rose catches up.

• Mounts: The new Backroad has 18. The second-generation Grizl has extra mounts on frame and fork, plus Canyon's own front and rear racks. The aluminium Backroad shares storage hatch and USB-C with the carbon models.
• Storage: Both new generations have a hatch in the down tube. On the Backroad it holds a tool kit, and also a power bank. On the Grizl ECLIPS models the battery lives there.
• Lights and power: The Backroad "Unsupported" has a SON 29 hub, a 5,000 mAh Busch & Müller battery and Supernova lights. The Grizl "ECLIPS" offers a hub dynamo, a 3,600 mAh battery and Lupine lights. The aluminium Grizl is not available with lights and battery from the factory. On the Backroad the cables are prepared on all models, and aluminium bikes can be retrofitted.
• Suspension: Only Canyon offers a suspension fork: the DT Swiss F 132 ONE "RIFT" with 40 mm of travel on the new generation, the RockShox Rudy with 30 mm on the first. Older articles still mention the "Grizl Trail with Rudy". That is the old generation.
• Weight: Lights and battery cost weight. TOUR weighed the Backroad Unsupported at 11.81 kg.

What do a used Backroad and Grizl cost?

A first-generation carbon Grizl typically sells for around €1,950 on buycycle, a carbon Backroad (2020–2025) for around €2,000. Aluminium models cost around €1,200 (Grizl) and €1,400 (Backroad).

Used prices Backroad and Grizl (buycycle, as of 3 November 2026)

Typical sold price = median of bikes actually sold. Value after sale = sold price divided by the new price stated in the listings. Model year and material come from listing titles and seller input and can be wrong. "Backroad carbon" means all titles without "AL" and without "FF"; a few aluminium bikes may be included. Values mix sizes, conditions and builds; treat them as a guide, not a price guarantee. Not included: bikes without a clear material (about 250 Grizl listings).

Three things stand out:

1. Both hold their value about equally well. After sale they bring around 60% of their new price, the Grizl a touch more.
2. The aluminium Grizl is the fastest seller in the comparison. It sells within 1 day (median). Demand for affordable entry-level gravel bikes is high, so be quick if you want one.
3. The new carbon Grizl costs only about €140 more used than the old one. €2,090 versus €1,950, based on 21 sales. For many that is the premium for 4 mm more clearance, the storage hatch and newer geometry.

There are only a few listings of the new Backroad so far (9) and one sale, so no reliable prices yet. The first aluminium offers are at around €1,600.

Moving up to the new generation? Here is how to sell your gravel bike.

Same budget: new aluminium or used carbon?

More options in this price range are in our guide to gravel bikes under €2,000.

What to check when buying used

On both bikes the weak spots are the integrated parts: cockpit, cables, suspension elements and storage hatch.

1. Headset and cables (Backroad 2020–2025). The cables run through the headset and stem. Check that the headset turns without play and that the cables do not rub the frame. Servicing is more work than with external cables, as on the aluminium Grizl.
2. Seatpost and suspension fork. Carbon Grizl bikes usually have the VCLS leaf-spring post. Check that it clamps without play. On bikes with a Rudy (gen 1) or RIFT (gen 2), ask when it was last serviced.
3. Storage hatch (new generations only). The lid should close cleanly and the latches (click latches on the Grizl) must not be worn. On ECLIPS and Unsupported builds, test the battery.
4. Thru-axle and UDH (Grizl gen 2 only). The second-generation Grizl is prepared for a UDH hanger. Check the hanger and the thru-axle threads.
5. Bikepacking wear on carbon. Straps and bags like to rub on top tube, down tube and fork. Look for abrasion and paint damage, and ask for detail photos if in doubt.
6. Invoice and warranty. According to its own site, Canyon gives the six-year frame guarantee only to the original buyer. Statutory warranty is tied to the bike, but proof of purchase is often requested. With a Rose bike, ask the seller about the terms for second owners, and always ask to see the original invoice.

More on choosing in our guide Which gravel bike suits me? (in German).

Which bike for whom?

• You do a lot of loaded bikepacking: Grizl (used from gen 1 with rack options, or gen 2 for 54 mm and the hatch). More in our bikepacking gravel bike guide.
• You want a suspension fork: Grizl with Rudy (gen 1) or RIFT (gen 2).
• You ride mixed routes and want a tidy cockpit: Backroad.
• You want a gravel bike for commuting, lights and mudguards: Backroad (the new "Unsupported", or an older model you retrofit).
• You want to spend as little as possible: a used aluminium Grizl or Backroad (around €1,200–1,400).
• You want to go fast: neither, see the next section.

And the Backroad FF or the Canyon Grail?

The Backroad FF is Rose's race gravel bike and the counterpart to the Canyon Grail, not to the Grizl. If you ride fast gravel and tarmac and carry little luggage, compare those two: Rose Backroad vs. Canyon Grail (in German). Browse all used Grail listings on buycycle too. Our Rose Backroad review, Backroad FF review and Canyon Grizl review go deeper on individual models.

FAQ

Which gravel bike is better, Canyon Grizl or Rose Backroad?

Neither is better across the board. The Grizl is built for rough gravel, trails and luggage (54 mm clearance, suspension-fork option). The Backroad is the tidier all-rounder with slightly less weight. TOUR saw the two as practically level in 2023 (1.7 against 1.8).

Is the Rose Backroad more upright than the Grizl?

No. TOUR measured a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.50 on both. The new generations are also very close, at around 1.5.

How much tyre clearance do the Backroad and Grizl have?

Second-generation Grizl (since July 2025): 54 mm. New Backroad (since August 2025): 53 mm in carbon, 50 mm in aluminium. The older models: Grizl 50 mm, Backroad 45–47 mm on 700c.

What does a used Canyon Grizl cost?

On buycycle a carbon Grizl (2021–2025) typically sells for around €1,950, an aluminium Grizl for around €1,200 and a carbon Grizl from model year 2026 for around €2,090 (as of November 2026).

What does a used Rose Backroad cost?

A carbon Backroad (2020–2025) typically sells for around €2,000 on buycycle, an aluminium Backroad for around €1,400. There are still too few sales of the new generation for a reliable price.

Which Backroad size matches which Grizl size?

Rose uses numbers (47–62), Canyon uses letters (2XS–2XL). Roughly, a Backroad 53 is an M and a 57 an L. Better compare reach and your height.

Canyon or Rose: which brand is better?

Both are large German direct sellers with similar value for money, and on buycycle their bikes hold their value about equally well. For a longer brand answer, see the comparison Rose Backroad vs. Canyon Grail (in German).

Sources: TOUR, "Canyon Grizl vs. Rose Backroad: Die Gravelbikes im TOUR-Duell" (24 Apr 2023, updated 24 Jul 2026); TOUR, "Update für den Bestseller: Rose präsentiert neues Backroad" (28 Aug 2025) and Backroad Unsupported preview (22 Nov 2025); TOUR, "Neues Canyon Grizl" (1 Jul 2025); BIKE, tests of the Canyon Grizl CF 7 (26 Oct 2025) and Rose Backroad GRX 820 (22 Sep 2026); road.cc, Rose Backroad 2020 and Canyon Grizl CF 7 (2025); bike-x, new Canyon Grizl AL (19 May 2026); Canyon warranty terms; biketour-global.de (5 Oct 2025). Used prices: analysis of more than 3,700 Grizl and Backroad listings (excluding the Backroad FF) on buycycle, as of 3 November 2026.