Canyon Strive CF 2015 - First Look

Jun 11, 2014 at 14:40
by Andy Waterman  



It started in a medieval castle high above the city of Colmar, with Fabien Barel yelling at a conscript army of international mountain bike journalists that, "This is revolution, not evolution!" It's a familiar clarion call; were we really about to witness a revolution?

We'd been called to the Alsace, France by the German direct-sales brand Canyon to witness the unveiling of its new Strive CF - the bike beneath the bags, as seen at the first rounds of the EWS this year. If revolution was on its way, a mountain-top castle was probably a good place to start.

The revolution in this instance is Canyon's new auxiliary gas spring, named Shapeshifter, which allows for a bike with a distinctly split personality by sliding the top mount of the shock 15mm fore and aft, changing suspension travel, suspension kinematics and frame geometry. It works with any shock and is standard issue on the Strive CF, a 160mm travel trail bike that the Canyon Enduro team has been racing the last two seasons.

bigquotesI want a bike that rides like a downhill bike on the descents, and climbs like an XC bike. I definitely don't want the same bike in the downhills as the uphills!
- Fabien Barel

Shapeshifter in DH mode left and XC mode right
  Downhill mode on the left, XC on the right.


With the shock in the rearward position, the bike is primed for downhill performance, with 163mm of travel, a 65.5 degree head angle, and a low, stable bottom bracket. Press the handlebar mounted Shapeshifter remote and shift your body weight forwards and the shock slides 15mm forward along the top rocker link, reducing suspension travel to 139mm, steepening the seat and head angles by 1.5 degrees and raising the BB by 19mm. To go back into downhill mode, simply press the Shapeshifter lever again and give the bike a solid pump through your heels, and hey presto, low and slack is back. In total, the Shapeshifter adds 200g to the weight of the bike. While that sounds great, the additional maintenance we typically associate with adding extra complexity to a bike is rarely something riders welcome; it's something Vincent Thoma, the Canyon engineer who led the Strive CF project doesn't see as a problem with Shapeshifter, saying, "It's a lot like a (dropper) seatpost, but the travel is a lot less, and it's a lot better protected."

Canyon 2015
  The Shapeshifter itself is cable operated to make it easier for the consumer


It's certainly well protected - even without the bags, the Shapeshifter isn't something that immediately catches your eye when you look at the Strive CF. What perhaps is more eye-catching with these bikes is the geometry: Canyon has listened to their pro riders and bike reviewers who all complained that the bikes were too short, and introduced versions of the Strive CF with "Race Geometry", which is identical to the standard geometry, except the front centres are longer. So a medium race (which we rode at the camp) is now slightly longer than a large with standard geometry. The bike will be available in five different packages, with the 8.0 Race, 9.0 Race and 9.0 Team available with race geometry in sizes S, M or L, while the standard 8.0 and 9.0 SL retain standard length front centres and are come in sizes S, M, L or XL.

What the rider sees Copyright Markus Greber
  What the rider sees is a simple thumb lever, and a guide on the top of the rocker - green means XC, black means DH.


bigquotesWe are a pure sporting bikes company. Racing is very important to us. We want to share our passion
- Michael Kaiser, Canyon

Over two days of testing I rode the middle bike in the Strive CF range, the €4299 9.0 Race. A quick car park spin revealed the Shapeshifter to require a little more co-ordination than I'd expected after the presentation, and switching between the two modes didn't feel particularly natural. The pressure in the Shapeshifter runs between 12 and 15 bar, and by tweaking that pressure you can tailor the bias of the device to your riding style. Joe Barnes' mechanic told us Joe runs 14.5 bar on his shock, but struggles with it if it's 14.

Riding the Strive CF:

Canyon 2015
  The trails in the Alsace were awesome - this is the area both Nico Lau and Jerome Clementz call home.


At 1m77cm, I was issued a medium sized bike with race geometry. Spec'ed with a 40mm Renthal stem, the riding position felt good from the off. The rest of the spec did a good job of inspiring confidence too with Maxxis High Roller II front and Minion DHR rear tires, SRAM Guide brakes, Rockshox Pike RCT3 fork, Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair shock and a Reverb Stealth post. These are all parts I'd spec on my own bike and they performed great on the broad mix of terrain we rode in Alsace.

After a couple of hours riding, the Shapeshifter became more intuitive, the bodyweight shifts required to affect the change in attitude becoming more subtle. By day two, the Shapeshifter was almost second nature.

Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race
  The Strive CF 9.0 Race Pinkbike rode in France.


There's a tautness to the Strive CF that really marks it out as a race bike. The rear suspension is very progressive, even in the downhill mode, something Fabien requested to counteract the downside of running short chainstays (and the Strive CF has very short chainstays), which is the bike feeling like it's collapsing underneath you at a certain point of the travel in some situations. With more progression, that sensation is avoided. That tautness really comes into its own at speed: at the end of day one we rode a trail that started as a fairly wide doubletrack, with long fast corners. The length and subsequent stability of the bike made 50kph feel like nothing, and sitting in, dropping your heels and holding a turn to the limits of the tires' traction felt awesome. As the trail tightened up into singletrack, that length never really felt like a negative, and the short stem, wide bar and good tire combo meant I felt surprisingly comfortable following the dust cloud down the mountain on an unknown trail.

Copyright Markus Greber
  The longer race geometry makes the bike super stable at speed.


Flicking the bike into XC mode, the rise in bottom bracket is the most noticeable thing. That's always been a problem with fork based geometry adjustments - the BB just gets lower and you clip your pedals more. With systems like Shapeshifter, that's much less of an issue, and sitting up and spinning up the climbs felt pretty good - well, as good as it can feel in 30+deg heat. Out the saddle in XC mode, the bike sprints like an XC race bike, and you can quite imagine utilising this system mid-stage in an enduro race to blast up a short climb of power through a flat section.



Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesWhile the idea of creating a bike with two distinct geometries and feels isn't perhaps as revolutionary as Fab would have us believe (Kona's Magic Link tried to do something similar, and the Cannondale Jekyll platform achieves a similar result by a different method), Shapeshifter is very well executed, and the fact that it can be used with any shock makes us suspect Canyon will be rolling it out to more platforms soon. That should prove to be a very good thing, especially if Canyon continues with their push towards longer, "race" geometry. - Andy Waterman



The Canyon Strive CF is available today from Canyon, but for the time being, sadly not in North America.

Author Info:
andywaterman avatar

Member since Jun 21, 2013
10 articles

177 Comments
  • 167 3
 Sometimes I think people care too much about aesthetics when it comes to bikes. But the first thing I thought was damn, that's a good looking bike.
  • 32 1
 Agreed! I love the simplicity of the single name badge and no other decals. Also, great name.
  • 2 1
 damn that bike is sweeeeet! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 yea nice lines on this bike & dig the matte black
  • 20 1
 All these new bikes are making me almost cream my pants. My want list keeps changing. Orbea Rallon... pushed back to 4th now. YT Capra relegated to third. Even the new Nomad has just been bumped into second place by this. Now I need a shapeshifting Canyon!
  • 13 39
flag seraph (Jun 11, 2014 at 23:02) (Below Threshold)
 Interesting because the first thing I thought when I saw the bike was how ugly it looked. Then I saw the version that PB rode and I thought it looked a little better. But I maintain that the first bike shown looks messy.
  • 18 1
 How dare you disagree with me on pinkbike.......time to get butt hurt and neg prop you....lol just kidding, to each their own.
  • 7 2
 Everything on the bike looks great, but the knuckle on the top tube kills it for me.
  • 11 2
 Aesthetics are probably more important than you think. Confidence is probably more important than any other factor in how fast we actually ride. This new system may save two seconds. Confidence could save tens! You will be more confident on a bike that you are happy with. Looking good is all part of that happiness.
  • 2 0
 I hope this multi-geometry thing becomes common, it would make ascents a bit easier for downhillers too
  • 4 3
 Giant, take notes
  • 2 2
 Anyone want to buy my Nomad C?
  • 1 0
 Pretty rad setup for sure, there pricing are great too, just cant get the damn things to North America !!
  • 1 0
 I love the cheaper model look. Nice all blue and great spec. The most important is great bike for great money !!!

www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3509#tab-reiter1
  • 1 0
 Comes in at 28 lbs too ! Pretty sweet
  • 1 0
 ditto - speaking as an industrial designer with a couple of carbon frames in the portfolio, a lot of mountain bikes these days are looking really damn sweet. Granted adding all these ridges and swoopy lines to a carbon frame adds more weight than performance, but its a visual way to back up marketing claims and does impart a branded look to different companies.
  • 5 0
 I'm happy to receive large cash gifts from North Americans and send them canyon bicycles as gifts in return.
  • 2 5
 The Spesh Enduro is a good looking bike.
  • 1 0
 SteezBurgerz
  • 2 1
 I'm the first to admit that looks are more important to me than performance. Why else would I run a Totem, flat pedals and an air shock?
  • 47 3
 I am throwing my money at the screen and nothing is happening!
  • 24 0
 Probably due to your location. No usa sales.
  • 45 3
 I totally forgot what I was gonna comment
  • 48 0
 You were going to mention something about wheel size then get smacked down for having your own opinion.
  • 25 0
 hook that shock remote up to the seatpost so its just uphill and downhill mode with one button. too many buttons, c'mon now
  • 3 0
 I thought the same thing. At least there's no front shifter.
  • 1 0
 That's exactly what I thought too. I always forget to use the rear shock propedal/open switch and the lockout option on forks so more buttons isn't a good thing. I like the remote geo switch option though, because the current integrations (shock mounting holes or flip chips) aren't really "mid-ride friendly".
  • 2 0
 So the shifter on the left side of the bar in the photo is for the Shapeshifter. Is that right?
  • 6 0
 came here to say the same. at this point, if you aren't figuring out a way to reduce the amount of controls on the bars, you're screwing up. Nobody (who's ridden one) is going to choose this over a dropper, and nobody wants to have to hit two controls to get ready for a descent. Often, you don't even have the time. DI2(and whatever SRAM comes up with to compete with it) should help with this though, as we should be able to tell the left pod to change what we want. (ie, dropper, rear shock, & fork lockout at the same time.) Can't trickle down and get implemented by dropper & shock manufacturers soon enough.
  • 2 3
 A lot of people dream about the "one quiver bike", but then buy a compromise that is not really outstanding at anything in particular. A great geometry bike does not need two settings, it needs suspension that works and a geo that fits the rider.
  • 2 0
 The problem with "one quiver bikes" is that they're never perfect, you're always somewhat limited. They're too big for pedally trails and they're too small for the big stuff. I can see the shapeshifter concept working well with a good travel adjust fork.
  • 2 0
 Does it change your tyres as well at the flick of a switch?
  • 21 1
 where the hell did my pants just go
  • 1 1
 i wish i could do the same. im at work. not usually into new tech that adds more and more parts onto the bike, but that seems like a really good idea.
  • 12 0
 Pretty sick concept, I don't think PB gives shapeshifter enough credence. They say its a concept which has been done before but not nearly as drastic cannondale changes the shock but not the kinematics or the geo like this does. very cool idea. Canyon needs to ship to the US they can't use the horst link patent excuse as reason not to anymore.
  • 1 1
 Adjustable geo is definitely nothing new. Infact bikes these days seem to be less adjustable than was common 5 or 6 years ago. Which personally I think is a good thing, as it is much harder to lay out geometry that works perfectly in conjunction with the shocks/axle paths/wheel size etc, when you know people are gonna be changing it all up every 5 minutes.
  • 4 1
 This is almost exactly what the magic link was, except the kona didn't need you to flip a switch.
  • 1 0
 I still ride my magic linked bike, and it still shreds. Creaks like a mofo when it gets real dusty though...
  • 2 0
 Shipping to the US would be difficult because of shipping costs and import duties as well, you can add at least a quarter of the bike's price,making it less well priced. A frame already costs 90 bucks to ship with proper insurance, let alone a complete bike.
  • 12 0
 I'm tired right not but pretty sure there is no mention of wheel size.....have to read again.
  • 1 0
 I went to the website - which is also silent on the matter of wheelsize! What are they hiding?


If you zoom in on the main photo, you can see the tires are 650B. So I guess yeah, Enduro = 27.5 now?
  • 3 0
 grill9000: What they are hiding is drawing too much attention to the "new standard" wheel size for trail bikes. We have seen a number of marketing tactics to sell us on 27.5. Now we are in the faze of say nothing to avoid wheel debates.
  • 5 0
 So it's another version of Kona's magic link? People will probably lap this up yet they were probably the same people to slag of the magic link. The magic link works great when it is set up correctly. I still have a Coilair Deluxe and the magic link is amazing makes it over 7 inches on the rear. Goes down like a DH rig climbs like and XC rig its great. Oh plus Kona are awesome! (screw the haters)
  • 5 1
 I nearly cried when the Abra-Cadabra got dropped for the Process. Especially after just going to gen 3 magic link with the air can. Don't get me wrong the process looks sweet and all but I can't help but always wonder what could have been, if they had made a carbon version of the Abra with a bit different spec on it (single ring and beefier wheels for the most part). It could have been the Enduro bike to rule them all.
  • 3 0
 It is truly a shame they stopped developing the magic link as my coilair has the first gen one and set up correctly its fantastic. However the Process 153DL is like my dream bike so yeah conflicting Big Grin
  • 1 0
 i know this is late by about a month but a quick note on wheel size it does say on the website in the geometry section of the page
  • 2 0
 No, it isn't just another version of the magic link. I don't know how the writer of the article can make such a misleading suggestion. What the Canyon Shapeshifter does is make some changes to shock actuation - positioning, spring and damping rates. These changes have a planned effect on bike geometry. So the Shapeshifter is analogous to Cannondale's geometry adjusting shocks and the flip chips used by many brands to provide configurable LO and HI settings for the suspension. When Canyon calls what is essentially a HI setting an XC mode you can see the marketing department at work. Since when have XC bikes had high BBs?

What the magic link does is altogether different. It is a five bar suspension linkage unlike anything else out there. Unlike a four bar (or six bar) linkage a five bar linkage is unable to provide a predictable wheel path i.e. the arc followed by the rear wheel can change from compression to compression. Kona tried to make people think that is a good thing. It did spend a lot of time trying to tame the anarchy introduced by the fifth link and ultimately it failed.
  • 6 2
 I had this idea in my head to sell both bikes (AM and DH) and buy one instead. Initially I wanted Bronson, then calculated everything and Capra was the choice, later on during the EWS in Scotland I could touch Noman and it changed my mind again. It was hard as as consequence I had to accept spending much more money but this beast is F**ING NOMAD KILLER!!! I would like to be able to experience difference between REGULAR and RACING geometry before placing order. Or maybe I should order both and return the on I like less?? ;-)
  • 2 0
 Don't botter about the non-racing one, it's way to short. The race will feel proper, my brother was on the press launch and the Spectral is way to short.
  • 19 0
 You touched Norman?
Did he like it?
  • 3 0
 pshhhh, do you buy a normal or a 'race' bike?? easiest decision ever.
  • 3 1
 Please test ride it first. Actually, please test ride any bike on your list. It will save you money.
  • 1 1
 There are few deciding factors; obviously Santa Cruz makes good bikes, but you have to pay a lot for their products. Capra has interesting suspension kinetic characteristics and is MUCH MUCH cheaper. For me it doesn't matter how bike looks as during ride I am expecting it just to work well and give me as much fun as possible. The new strive is tainted by Fabien Barel ideas and his experience and I am sure I can spend my money blind on any product in which development he was involved.
  • 1 0
 I recently swapped from a 2013 Medium Canyon Strive to a 2014 Large loving the longer top tube, race geometry would be your best bet, bikes seem to be too short these days, I'm 5ft 11in
  • 3 0
 I'm at Megavalanche now and had opportunity to seat on French Canyon marketing manager's bike at the finish of Friday's qualification run. He has got medium race frame and I suited me well. He presented me how the sus switch works and he did admit that you have to get used to it to be able to use it efficiently/quickly. But to be honest at the moment I am more than happy with my BH Lynx as it has server me well and brought me to finish of the Mega race in one piece and good result (mind conditions!) Wink
  • 4 0
 So glad that fabian is pushing the designers for longer front centers like he did at mondraker. I've got a dune xr with forward geometry with a 35mm stem and at 6ft 6" it feels like it's the only bike I've ever had in 15 years of riding that fits me properly. Now it looks like I've got another option. Thanks fab.
  • 2 0
 Ya that mondraker foxy...very long. At 6'2", on paper I'd be inclined to ride the med.
But, just another bike an American can't get.
  • 6 0
 Still nothing. If it's "enduro" I guess we are to assume 27.5" from now on?
  • 1 0
 I guess so.
  • 2 0
 For most riders, 650B means adding a little weight and losing a little playfulness for a minor rollover benefit. Most riders don't care about being a few seconds faster, they want to have fun on the trails. I have bikes of several wheel sizes, but for an Enduro, I'd still prefer 26", especially if you're not racing and don't have to run the newest parts.
  • 1 1
 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhh!
27.5 is not just faster in every situation. Its faster in a straight line over bumps as long as those bumps are un-pumpable. I hate all this 26" is no good for racing bs. Look at ratboy, he's on the form of his life imo, and just happens to be one of very few guys left running 26 for dh. 650 is definitely faster on super wide flow tracks, but they're shit. Ruining the sport I reckon. Anyway, rant over.....for now. xx
  • 3 0
 Short stays? Long top tube? Option for an even longer top tube? I'd ride this thing without the adjustable geo, but with it... I wish I could try this thing in North America. Can't wait to hear the reviews.
  • 2 0
 Um sick looking bike I agree, shapeshifter um not sold, I do like simplicity distributors and LBS seem to be getting worse not better so no thank you, for Fabian who I have huge respect for, he has a team of support where we either have to do our own mechanics which I do or deal with a lot of pia if its outside of basic service. Dam hard to even get basic info from a manufacturer or distributor let alone support on running servicing and replacement parts. Bike does look good in carbon, Canyon do seem to have created a great brand good one them, provide good support, info to get gets out of the bike and you will have a winner.
  • 2 0
 I was excited to see such a fantastic new bike, i counted my savings and pull out my credit card next to my computer, but it was a beautifull day out here, i had just came home from work, no obligation from the misus so i said, lets go out for a ride with my old 2009 FS bike ( not enduro at that time but all mountain they were calling it). anyway after 2 hours of roaming about at my local trails, hiting berms, jumping some tables, did some DH, pedal up again, and do all these again untill i came home with a smile, bit tired but happy and satisfied, thankfull that i truly lived an other day. the need for buying a new bike or anything for that matter was long gone. thinking that now, my old 2009 FS pal just saved me 4000 euros!!!
  • 4 2
 Looks like a great bike.
But. It's got proprietary technology and no local service. Any time something goes wrong you've got to deal with Germany. Having read a lot of threads about their customer service, it seems a bit hit and miss (at least there are some hits). For the moment, that's enough to put me off.
  • 3 0
 Having already bought a Torque FRX and a Strive (Ally) I can confirm that the level of after-market service that Canyon UK offer is not what I'd call top -drawer. They do evetnually capitulate and help, but it's a bit of a ball-ache to say the least. Buying online is a piece of cake though and the cost-svaings offered by any German bike and the level of kit should definately be something to consider.
  • 3 1
 Got to disagree mate. I have both a Strive (Old model) and a Spectral and the after market service I have received from Canyon UK has been fantastic. I also know people who have add some teething problems with the new Spectral - especially with the lower spec Spline wheels - but Canyon has paid for this to be fixed by a LBS rather than shipping back to them, with no effect on warranty. Guess there are always bumps in the roads for service departments though.
  • 2 0
 I have owned a nerve AM for a couple of years now, and have warrantied the reverb through canyon with no problem. When I thought there was an issue with the frame they were very quick to arrange collection to look at it back in Germany. Nothing but good things to say about them tbh.
  • 2 0
 Yep , I also disagree. I owned a Nerve AM for the best part of 2 years and had excellent service from Canyon
  • 1 0
 Its like this for me and my Kona Abracadabra anyway
  • 1 0
 Canyon have UK based service centre. Very helpful when they can solve problem in uk.
  • 5 3
 Hmmm, Imagine those handlebars... Geo remote, rear shock remote, fork remote, seat post remote, electronic XTR display, two shifters, two brakes... did i forget anything? Bike computer and GPS?

I guess its time someone starts selling 900mm handlebars...
  • 6 0
 Actually it's "just" Shapeshifter remote, Reverb seatpost remote, one shifter and a pair of brakes. Not that much.
  • 2 0
 And the GRIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 5 0
 That bike looks like a supermodel. Slim, sleek and sexy! Me likely alot!
  • 1 0
 Just bought a 2014 Alloy Strive 8.0 Race, couldn't wait for the new Carbon ones as my last Strive got knicked, glad I didn't wait as its a bit cheaper and Carbon and my local trails (Lakes) don't mix too well. It still looks compelling but I wonder how many people need to climb as fast as Fab, my Strive still gets up the hills as fast as my mates shorter travel bikes, I just have to push the pedals a little harder. The couple of local PMBA Enduro's I have entered, you don't get timed on the transitions so everyone takes their time going uphill, I guess I could be quickly converted if I had a ride on one and the point made above about pedally enduro stages is valid although in the heat of racing I can just about cope with flicking the dropper post up and down, I wonder how I'd cope with shapeshifter as well? Will wait a year and see how people get on with them and if I can persuade one of my mates to get one, even better, love testing other peoples bikes! Smile
  • 6 3
 Anybody else think the new graphics on the FOX 36 fork look ugly? That's the only cosmetic fault I find with this bike. The race version with the Pike looks sweet though.
  • 3 1
 Yes who wants fuckin orange on there bike, it looks like shit
  • 5 1
 yeah orange is the WORST! Come on are you red? are you yellow? make up your mind! Probably on a 29er too.
  • 3 0
 FWIW, I like the 70s graphics
  • 3 2
 Nice to see other brands catching up : ) but shame the review doesn't mention that Bionicon has been building on-the-fly adjustable geometry since 2003

Bionicon changes angles (head tube & seat tube up-to 5.5 degrees ), wheelbase, fork travel and rear suspension firmness (via shock actuation ratio) at the same time.

Available rear travel and bb height stay the same
  • 1 0
 Pedal strikes?
Maybe you should investigate a bit further. Bionicons simple and clever system do not lower the BB height at all.
The rear travel stays the same to. But in climbing geometry mode, the linkage forms a stable platform to reducera bobing.
bionicon.com/mountainbikes
Scroll down and read about "Bionicon System" and to whats called "Hyper X", to learn more...
The coming Edison Evo looks like a sweet almountain enduro ride to me. Could have the potential to be the ultimate do it all bike.
As far as I know, no other bike have close to the same range of on-the-fly adjustment? And that in just one button on the bars!
  • 5 0
 Now that's a clean looking bike!
  • 2 0
 With this and the frankly stunning YT Capra, the Germans aint messing around.
Choice is good for consumers. It's a shame for the americans that (thanks to spesh), they can't buy one.
  • 5 0
 given the savings...... fly over and pick it up...ride the alps for a bit of a riding holiday and then fly home...... job done.

it's the same for me to buy a Bronson frame here in Europe..... it would be cheaper( by 100 euro) to fly to the usa and pick it up personally than to buy it here.......
  • 4 0
 the patent expired.
  • 1 0
 The 2nd configuration with the blue accents is super sexy. Not quite as sexy as my SB-66 Carbon, but still really damn sexy.

Gotta say the switchable geometry sounds like it has a ton of potential... Too bad the article didn't really go into depth about how it actually "works", not technically, but how does it change the ride?
  • 2 0
 GHAHDNFWDIVRBCAAKFNCSA this is making me question my decision of saving for a Nomad 650B and thinking is hard so I don't like this bike in that sense!
  • 2 2
 Hmm, Shapeshifter switch, where will I put you? Grips, brakes, shifters front and back, dropper post switch, lock out switches for front and back, proto switch for tyre pressure, me bike is starting to look like the Homer Mobile theyoufactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/TheHomer.jpg.

I like the idea here, don't get me wrong, and I love the bike, but with all the bar real estate needed to be so enduro I reckon we'll be running 850 bars before we know it!

(great name btw)
  • 25 1
 whats a front shifter ??
  • 3 0
 Is this bike fun???
Ok it climbs well, it is stable but most important of all is it fun to ride in DH mode?
  • 4 2
 For me it´s over engineered --> typical for german bikes! I think less is more so keep it f***ing simple. Only my 2 cents.
  • 2 0
 You can get away with that cause you're German Smile Kiddin..
But there are Nicolai and Liteville that are best known in Europe, but they have a quite simple design?
  • 5 2
 Good god I want! Priced well for the spec, it's not 10k...
Unfortunately I don't think we can get them, anyone know?
  • 3 0
 " sadly not in North America."
  • 2 1
 I would find a way to get that bike, cuz it is frickin sexy!!
  • 3 16
flag wakaba (Jun 11, 2014 at 23:03) (Below Threshold)
 Mailorderbling. Virtually unsellable 2nd hand. Very unloved corp. Wouldn't wanna be seen on one... Something for the "geiz IST geil" crowd.
  • 2 0
 That is a really creative and innovative idea. With the Jekyll being very similar in ideology, it seems like top enduro racers have similar wants in their bikes . . .
  • 4 0
 I think the issue with the Jekyll is that its restricted to one shock..... the tech on the Strive would allow you to run whatever you want
  • 1 0
 I definitely agree. I have a Jekyll and love it, but wish I had more options for a rear shock . .
  • 1 0
 exactly.. proprietary shock. no fun.
  • 1 0
 Just want to mention that this concept was alive - and still is - as SwitchLock at Scott bikes prior to the mentioned Cannondale. Introduced by the same engineer Peter Denk actually who switched companies.
  • 1 0
 I would love to see a bike with 'while riding' adjustable travel from a company that's common in the US. We have the Jekyll, but I'm not impressed with their single-pivot design.
  • 3 4
 Yeah, yeah, cool bike and all, but how the hell do you go for a ride whilst wearing a belt and with a phone in your pocket? Within half an hour I'd have blisters over all the skin near my belt buckle and would smash my phone at the first stack.
  • 4 0
 So shown an interesting engineering concept......and you start commenting about what the guy's wearing..........i can see where your priorities sit.. what ever turns your engines mate!
  • 4 0
 Bring to the U.S.!
  • 2 1
 im so happy ive bought a 2014 canyon nerve al 9,9 sl such a great bike and such a great company. Btw the color on this bike is just SPOT ON!
  • 3 1
 yepp. one of the few companies, that understands that less is more regarding design. like it alot.
  • 2 3
 And do you know what is the worst part about it? they do not sell canyon bikes in North America.....are you kidding me!!! the biggest part of the business of mountain biking is in North America and they do not sell them here.......you have to order this bike and they will ship it to you.....but still it is never the same thing as seen the bike personally at the shop.

I go all ecited to find out this bike is at an insane price but their page says this bike is sold out and clearlly says "we will not have more strive cf during this season"

I still do not understand why they show us this bike to find out it is sold out.
  • 2 0
 Strive AL 2014 model is sold out. Strive CF 2015 model will be placed online 12.00 GMT and will be ready to order.
  • 2 1
 so we we spend thousand of dollars for a super light carbon frame and then we spend even more dollars on systems that adds 200gr to it? It's a good idea but come on
  • 2 0
 You will have a weight penalty with the Shapeshifter no matter what material your frame is made of. A carbon frame is generally a lot lighter than 200gr than its alloy brother, so you will save weight + you will have the ability to change your travel by the push of a button.
  • 1 2
 yes but the point is the money
  • 3 0
 I feel really stupid right now, because I don't understand that point. What are you trying to say?
  • 1 0
 Ich verstehe auch Deutsch, wenn es für dich einfacher ist.
  • 2 1
 ich sag nicht, dass es ein schlechtes Rad ist. Ich bezweifle nur die Verhältnismäßigkeit. Die Räder werden immer teurer (unabhängig vom Hersteller). Zuerst gibt man viel Geld für ein leichtes Rad aus und dann kommt ein neues System was wieder alles besser machen soll was noch teurer (und Wartungsintensiver ist) und da spielt das Gewicht keine Rolle mehr, wo vorher alles getan wird um das zu reduzieren.
Der Kommentar war ncht wirklich konstruktiv gedacht. Es ist mehr Sarkasmus über das, was die Marketingabteilungen uns erzählen. Erst muss alles leicht sein, dann muss alles verstellbar sein und das Gewicht ist wieder Nebensache.
Vielleicht sollte man sich einfach wieder aufs Fahren konzentrieren und nicht auf jeden Trend reagieren als ob er pures Gold wär.
  • 1 0
 Jetzt verstehe ich Big Grin Ja, du hast recht... Die Verkäufern sagen nur was wir hören wollen und wir sind so blöd, es zu glauben haha. Zelbste Geschichte mit die Dropperstütze... 500gr für nichts... Hab eine gehabt und fast nicht benutzt. 300EUR war es denn? Big Grin Jetzt gibts keine Luxus mehr für mich, nur ein "standard" Rad Smile
(Entschuldigung für mögliche Fehler :p)
  • 1 0
 Sold out after 2 weeks! Must be a great bike but what a joke. Was waiting for the pay check to come through and now they are all gone. Think I'll buy a Mondraker instead.
  • 1 0
 how about reading canyon bike warranty : www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12830423

It makes me hesitate to buy one.
  • 4 2
 Those shorts he's wearing??? A belt??? And then whines about the 30°+ temperatures??? Jeez...
  • 6 0
 He missed out on the Enduro Sash Sale
  • 1 0
 Great looking Bike. Love the adjustable geometry. or you just buy a GT distortion or the new GT sanction, Pedal up efficiently fly down like your on fire.
  • 1 2
 Old concept, think bikes like Giant AC where you could switch the shock mount location on the shock link. What I love about this re-imagining is the ability to switch it on the fly. The one question I would have is how the sag is impacted between the two settings and whether there is a need to adjust shock air pressure. Ideally, if you set up the XC mode for say, 25%, the adjusting to downhill would would leave your sag around 30-33%.
  • 3 0
 That's like saying a manual seatpost is the same as a hydraulic
  • 1 1
 Not exactly. I'm clearly acknowledging the new concept of remote-activated shock mount adjustment. The point was this really is not a "revolution", but actually is an "evolution" of an existing concept, and that's the concept of adjustable shock mounting to change suspension leverage and geometry.
  • 6 4
 So it's kona's magik link.
  • 3 1
 No thanks. Not keen on remote controlled suspension period.
  • 1 0
 Picot could learn a thing or two here when it comes to the amount of name badges/decals. Mint bike!
  • 1 0
 not distributed in NA? good luck maintaining it if you get one shipped here
  • 2 3
 Never heard of Canyon before but it immediately reminded me of the following Portlandia skit (fast forward to the 1:03 mark):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW92t264eBM

By the way nice looking bike!
  • 3 1
 Too many levers, I might forget what does what...
  • 2 0
 This is not the revolution you are looking for.
  • 2 1
 That's a good looking bike!
  • 2 1
 smart smart smart thx canyon
  • 2 0
 Take my money already
  • 2 0
 Just ride your bike...
  • 1 0
 My Giant Reign is getting jealous
  • 3 0
 Don't worry, there will be a new reign soon!
  • 1 0
 Sexy bike with simple looks. I love my mach 6 but damn it's ugly
  • 1 0
 The bikes a classic Hans Dampf!
  • 2 0
 That looks promising.
  • 2 0
 Alloy version please!
  • 2 0
 Just man up Tom and re-mortgage the house, wrap it in cotton wool and you'll be fine! Smile
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Pacific. Ha, just kidding. So sexy.
  • 1 0
 This bike sounds fantastic! Cheap too!
  • 1 4
 Can we have a metric to standard conversion paved in this article lol Kph ,1m77cm, bar, as one Samuel L Jackson would say "English mothaf***** do you speak it! !!!!!!!" Oh ya, cool bike.
  • 12 0
 There are 196 countries in the world...... 3 of which don't use metric.
  • 2 1
 looks like a mondraker
  • 1 1
 Congrats you took Kona's magic link and made it work
  • 1 0
 What's wrong with Magiclink? My AbraCadabra climbs like a goat. And is plush and bottomless in any rock garden. Have not been left behind so far...
  • 1 0
 Just ordered mine!!!
  • 5 5
 Kona Magic Link? Pretty much.

Will probably last just as long
  • 3 8
flag jwillsaylor (Jun 11, 2014 at 21:24) (Below Threshold)
 No way. The magic link was terrible, and didn't really offer the geometry advantages. Sure you sit more upright when the rear suspension isn't being compressed as much, but I think the 19 mm of BB adjustment will really add to its capability.
  • 7 2
 I agree, Buggyr333. First thing I thought of was Kona's Magic Link. Funny how people seem to be receiving this well, but people shit on Magic Link because it's Kona. Whoever is making it, proprietary shit will eventually break, and then your fucked.
  • 2 0
 Well Said ScandiumRider.
  • 2 0
 magic link was my first thought too, I `never got a ride on one but liked the idea, i suppose bionicon do similar stuff too, though this is much prettier
  • 3 3
 Kona sucks.

Just kidding Smile
  • 4 0
 I've been riding my 2010 coilair for three years now, and while I don't have the best build on it the bike still runs fine. All the issues I've had are wheelsets denting, brakes wearing out, etc. The proprietary pars have held up 100%. The magic link really does work well. The problem is that the geometry on the coilair never really got dialed. The chainstays are just too long. The actual magic link part still works great, it just never sold so Kona stopped developing it.
  • 6 0
 Thought the same thing when I saw it... 'oh, they're doing a Magiclink thing'... I dig my Cadabra with the Magiclink... properly set up it works great.
  • 4 0
 2010 coilair's represent! I have the Supreme (air five).
  • 2 0
 Air five, received, reciprocated.
  • 1 1
 People behind Canyon, I love you!
  • 1 0
 I just ordered one :-)
  • 1 0
 SELL TO MEXICO !!!!
  • 1 0
 Amazing bike
  • 4 4
 Bionicon is that you?
  • 4 1
 Bionicon changes geometry without changing travel and leveraging if I am not wrong
  • 1 0
 You are correct in saying that the Bionicon doesn't change the rear travel, but it does change the fork travel (compressing the fork is the force the changes the rear shock mount).

Bionicon is the first thing I thought of when I saw this. I'm with you alonalgr.
  • 1 0
 I would rather compare results of this design to results of how Scott Ransom works. I used "results" as those frames have different design but they work in similar way when it comes to adjustable travel and geometry. Bionicon drops front travel which is different thing from what the Strive does and what is clearly said - dropping front causes you clipping pedals. Ransom woks in similar way as Strive just changing rear travel and geometry but it single pivot design.
  • 1 0
 Pedal strikes?
Bionicons system do not lower the BB at all even if the fork travel drops in climbing geometry mode. When also the angle of the rear linkage change, to act as a stable platform to reduce pedal bob.
Its all clearly illustrated at Bioniconcs tech page at bionicon.com/mountainbikes
  • 1 2
 Base model: 3600+ Euros. Can we review some semi-adorable bikes too??
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