Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7 on test – The Ultimate E-Gravel Bike Comparison Test 2025

This comparison test is for everyone who wants an e-bike for both commuting and adventure. But do you really need an e-gravel bike for that? To find out, we deliberately included a pure commuter bike in the lineup: the Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7.

Canyon enters the test with two contenders. While the name of the Grizl:ONfly CF Daily only hints at its purpose, the Commuter:ONfly 7 makes it crystal clear – it’s built for city commuting, with all the support you need. To deliver on that promise, the Koblenz-based direct-to-consumer brand relies on the quiet FAZUA Ride 60 motor, offering three support levels with up to 450 watts of power. The 430 Wh battery is seamlessly integrated into the down tube and can be removed for charging – a practical feature, especially for city dwellers.

Aluminium mudguards and a rear rack come as standard, supplementing the bike’s everyday usability. The frame is made of sturdy aluminium, while the carbon fork helps keep the weight down. The result? A total weight of 18.24 kg, slightly above test average.

At € 3,499, the Commuter:ONfly 7 is by far the most affordable bike in the test. So far, so good. But can a bike designed for city life handle real adventures, or is it better to stay within the comfort of urban streets?

The Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7 tested – Can it handle off-road adventures?

The Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7 boasts an elegant and well-balanced design. Its minimalist frame, with mostly integrated cable routing, gives it a clean and streamlined look. The sleek aesthetic is further enhanced by the one-piece stem and handlebar combo, making the cockpit look especially tidy – though at the cost of adjustability. The bike is also available as a step-through version up to size L – great for anyone who struggles to swing a leg over the top tube, or wants to attach a child seat to the seat tube.

The Canyon doesn’t just look good – it’s also refreshingly easy to use. Just hop on and ride: It doesn’t get much simpler than that. The FAZUA Ride 60 motor isn’t a powerhouse like the 85 Nm Shimano EP8 in the ROSE BACKROAD Plus EQ. It also falls short of the ZF CentriX motor in the Ultima Mobility eGRAVEL YIN and the Specialized 2.0 motor in the Turbo Tero X 5.0. But what it does offer is smooth, natural support that seamlessly responds to the rider’s input. It runs quietly and delivers more than enough power for city riding. The motor is controlled via the FAZUA Control Hub, a ring-shaped controller on the handlebar. While it feels a bit flimsy and fragile it is relatively intuitive to use. The 12-second boost mode (push the ring up and hold) for steep climbs and the light activation (move the ring toward the handlebar center) are fairly easy to operate. That’s more than can be said for the other FAZUA-powered bike in the test, the Riese & Müller UBN Five Commute, which requires a bit of a learning curve. There, everything is controlled by various combinations of the two buttons on the underside of the handlebar.

At 18.24 kg, the Commuter:ONfly 7 is slightly heavier than the test group’s average. But the removable battery makes charging easier when there’s no outlet nearby – without it, the bike weighs just under 16 kg. Unlike its predecessor, the new model also allows for direct charging on the bike. The charging port is discreetly placed on the underside of the top tube, making the process much more convenient. No awkward bending down or hunting for the port, unlike the Moustache Dimanche 29 EQ.

For city riding, the Commuter:ONfly 7 is well-equipped. Thoughtful details like the minimalist bell and mounting points for a kickstand (best ordered right away for € 30) fit nicely with its urban focus and add everyday convenience. Also handy: the SP Connect mount on the stem, paired with a USB-C charging port on the top tube – seamlessly integrated into the design. The integrated LightSKIN Ultramini and Supernova E3 Tail 2 lights ensure good visibility in traffic, but aren’t powerful enough for dark forest trails or serious off-road adventures. So, unlike its wilder sibling, the Grizl:ONfly CF Daily, this bike won’t be taking you on a bear hunt.

What it lacks in off-road capability, it makes up for in everyday practicality. The sturdy aluminium mudguards and 15 kg-rated rear rack, complete with Ortlieb QL3.1 mounts, make grocery runs and cargo transport a breeze. A minor drawback: The welded mounting points for the Ortlieb system slightly protrude beyond the rack’s surface. This can make transporting crates or other solid cargo tricky, as they end up resting only on these two points. The Canyon Grizl:ON does it better with its removable mounts. On the plus side, the Commuter:ONfly 7 is trailer compatible, making it a solid choice for hauling kids or extra gear. A dedicated hitch mount is neatly hidden under a cap on the rear axle. With or without a trailer, the Commuter:ONfly shifts reliably and precisely, thanks to a solid Shimano drivetrain.

The moment you hop on the Commuter:ONfly 7, it puts you in a comfortably upright riding position, thanks to its 640 mm wide flat handlebar. The steering is direct and agile, making it perfect for weaving through city traffic. In this regard, it’s similar to the Specialized Tero X 5.0, though the e-SUV targets a completely different audience in terms of weight and use case. Tight alleys and quick evasive manoeuvres? No problem. But the ultra-responsive handling can feel a bit twitchy at high speeds or on rough terrain. Adventure vibes are somewhat lacking, as comfort takes a hit – there’s no suspension or damping to be found, and the 40 mm Schwalbe G-One tires, also found on the Riese & Müller UBN Five Commute, are the narrowest in the test. This makes the Commuter most at home on asphalt and fine gravel while vibrations and impacts are transmitted directly to the rider.

Who is the Canyon Communter:ONfly 7 for?

The Commuter:ONfly 7 is designed for urban commuters and casual riders who stick mostly to city streets or well-paved roads. It’s also a solid choice for light countryside tours. For those who struggle with mounting and dismounting, or need to attach a child seat to the seat tube, the step-through version is a great option.

However, if you often ride on gravel paths, unpaved trails, or at high speeds, you’ll quickly run into the bike’s limits – minimal comfort, twitchy handling on rough terrain, and lights that are fine for the city but fall short in darker environments. The Commuter:ONfly 7 is not built for adventure rides or aggressive, sporty cycling. If you prioritize comfort, off-road capability, or stability at high speeds, you might be better off with the Specialized Tero or Canyon Grizl.

Overall, the Commuter:ONfly 7 could be a great choice for beginners looking for a solid city ride. Over time, upgrades like wider tires or a suspension seatpost can boost comfort and control on rougher terrain, making the bike more versatile beyond paved roads.

Conclusion to the Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7

If you’re looking for a bike purely for urban everyday use, the Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7 is often a better choice than a full-fledged e-gravel bike. The FAZUA Ride 60 delivers plenty of power for city riding, the removable battery makes charging easy, and with its full commuting setup at a fair price of € 3,499, stress free commuting is practically guaranteed. That said, this bike isn’t built for off-road fun. Root-covered forest trails, rough gravel roads, or fast descents will quickly push it out of its comfort zone.

More infos at Canyon.com

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The Test Field

You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best E-Gravel Bike of 2025 – The most exciting models in a comprehensive comparison test

All bikes in the test: BMC URS AMP LT TWO, Canyon Commuter:ONfly 7, Canyon Grizl:ON Daily, Moustache Dimanche 29.4 EQ, Riese & Müller UBN Five commute, ROSE BACKROAD Plus EQ, Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Expert, Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0, Ultima Mobility eGRAVEL YIN SPORT.

Words: Jonny Grapentin Photos: Jan Richter