First Look: Canyon's 2022 Exceed and Lux Get Even More Race Focused
Canyon's Lux and Exceed are proven performers under team riders including Mathieu van der Poel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Emily Batty, Andreas Seewald, and Martin Stosek. For 2022, the frames remain the same but the spec gets an update, including more remote lockouts, short-travel forks and rigid seatposts.
2022 Canyon Lux
The Lux was first released back in 2019, featuring a flex pivot rear suspension design and steering limiter headset to protect the frame from damage while allowing it to be lighter. It was always a traditionalist's XC bike, with steep angles and an emphasis on lightness, but for 2022 the parts list is even more race-focused. All modes share 100mm forks (shorter than some XC race bikes these days) for what Canyon calls the "most aggressive setup – steeper angles, lighter parts, faster handling." They all come with rigid seatposts too for the minimum weight and, according to Canyon, improved stiffness too. Finally, all Lux CF SLX models (mid-range) now have handlebar-mounted lockouts for improved pedalling efficiency.
The Lux CF 6 (left) and Lux CF SLX LTD.
There are four models in the 2022 Lux range. At the entry-level is the Lux CF 6 which is equipped with Shimano SLX shifting, Fox SC Performance suspension, and DT Swiss XR1900 wheels. At the other end of the scale is the Lux CF SLX LTD (The SLX doesn't stand for the Shimano groupset but Canyon's SLX carbon). It boasts a claimed weight of 1,662 g for the CF SLX frame; is spec'd with a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork and SID Deluxe Ultimate shock, plus SRAM’s XX1 Eagle AXS groupset. There's also the Lux CF SLX 9 Team with Fox Factory suspension and Shimano XTR shifting.
2022 Canyon Exceed
The Exceed CF 6 (left) and CFR LTD.
The 2022 Exceed hardtail is available in three grades of carbon, called CF, CF SLX and CFR. The Exceed CF frameset is the entry-level option. The CF 6 model is the second cheapest at €2,299 and is equipped with a Fox 32 Rhythm fork, Shimano SLX shifting and DT Swiss XR1700 wheels. The flagship of the range is the Exceed CFR LTD. The top-end CFR frameset has a claimed weight of 835g (just over half the weight of the lightest Lux frame). The CFR LTD is equipped with a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork, SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS groupset, Reynolds Black Label wheels and DT Swiss D232 One 60 mm dropper post. It's interesting that Canyon chose to spec dropper posts on some of their hardtails but not the full-suspension bikes.
The new Lux and Exceed models are available now at canyon.com.
Mathieu van der Poel gurning for glory.
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They're sure throwing it in reverse pretty hard there.
I'm just looking at the future and it's 120mm suspension from and back with a 67HT, 34mm stanchion forks and dropper posts.
remote lockouts - thats how pretty much everybody rides in xco and even xcm field and it is an essential part.. heck you see lockouts in DH with that bruni switch
Short-travel forks - yes there will be more and more builds with 120mm, but 100mm not going anywhere anytime soon
Rigid seatposts - again this is how most of xco field rides right now and until we trully get a range of ~300g droppers this wont change.
You could argue that geo is a bit dated, but thats not what was in your original comment, and also it is not something that is universally true but to a degree, it is a preference thing. Not everybody lives and races in big mountains, and for many a full sus xc bike is a tool to boost comfort and not to boost grip and stability..
Remotes: this is the only one i’ll give you a concession on. Yes they are still popular but with a high anti-squat, flex stays and a platform shock id not think they're still “necessary” equipment. More a hold over from a previous era.
Forks: Give it 2 years. Every big brands next- gen will be 120/34 up front. Fox already dropped the 32SC and with lighter but stiff 120 forks available the reason to go shorter is negligible. This is the same argument when it was 80mm vs 100mm.
Droppers: This one you’re just plain wrong on. Look at the pro field. And who’s winnning. Fixed posts are an increasing rarity. Not specking one in these builds is a cost move plain and simple.
XC is exciting again because courses are more tech and riders are on machines capable of riding them at a high level. We’re not going back.
And honestly the “not necessarily” argument is the same canard that gets trotted out every time there’s a step change.
Suspension forks were “not necessary”
Disc brakes were “not necessary”
29ers we’re “not necessary”
Full suspension was “not necessary”
And yet here we are.
Have you tried any of the new generation progressive XC bikes? They're pretty great. Hard to justify "most racers... dislike" statement when nearly every elite pro is on one of these bikes, and especially when any of them could opt out of a dropper post, and yet 90+% of the World Cup field uses them.
The new MTB arms race: Lockouts that are increasingly further away.