In reply to Marek:
> Yes, that's always a challenge - to some extent - with Canyon bikes! I'm wary of relying on saddle movement to compensate for lack of stem variation, though. Your saddle position should be optimised for pedalling dynamics (much more important on a road bike then an MTB 'cos you tend to spend far more time in exactly the same position).
Yeah, you're right. Its not ideal, but its al least something. I'm probably 10mm back from an ideal position on my XC but I've found it no issue (ignorance?). And I'm 98% seated on the trails here.
> It really helps if you are fairly tolerant in terms of fit. One thing I would add with respect to a gravel bike fit is that unlike a road bike you really need to be able to shift your weight around much more when you get onto steep and technical terrain, particularly be able to get your arse off the back of the saddle. Gravel bikes are very traction limited compared to an MTB and weight distribution can get quite critical. If you set up your gravel bike like a road bike (long and low, efficient for flat terrain) it gets to be very hard to shift your weight backward and maintain any useful braking ability when you hit the loose stony drops. Certainly gave me a few 'moments' before I figured how to tweek my gravel bike setup (about 4cm less reach - to the hoods - and 2cm more stack than my normal road bike setup).
To be honest I don't envisage much technical terrain that would require me to get off the back of the bike. In flatland I rarely even need to on my XC bike even. Though if I go abroad things will actually involve hills, which changs that, but again, if I'm going abroad on a gravel bike, it will be likely loaded up with luggage and not on more challenging trails. However, as things don't always work out the way one wants, anything serious that crops up can have the seat dropped manually if required.
> Of course, one option is to add a dropper post, but in my book that's crossing the line into drop-bar-MTB territory.
Definitely no plans for a dropper, not for what I want to do.
I'm looking at getting a bike fit now, as hopefully will clear up the fit side.
No Grail specific experiences though from anyone?