Behind the Scenes with Canyon Factory Enduro Team

Jan 28, 2016 at 2:42
by Matt Wragg  
Inside Canyon


Behind the Scenes:


CANYON FACTORY



ENDURO TEAM


WORDS AND PHOTOS: MATT WRAGG






When you run a racing programme as big as Canyon's Factory Enduro Team, things don't just stop once the racing is finished. In an undisclosed location somewhere in the backstreets of Koblenz is hidden their team headquarters. This is the lair for Larry, their head mechanic when they aren't on the road racing. This is his base for preparing the riders' bikes, testing products and storing all the spares and supplies you need to keep a programme like that running.



Inside Canyon
Larry doesn't let just anyone in...

Inside Canyon
Between their enduro team and their freeride team, they have more than a few bikes to be sent out. Not to mention the personal bikes for Larry and team manager, Flo.

Inside Canyon
Inside Canyon
Part of the prep for the team riders are those little, personal touches that make the pro's bikes so special. On the right are the adhesives from the digital camouflage that covered the pre-production Strives the team were racing on in 2013

Inside Canyon
Some of the team's stickers are put to more mischevious ends, though...

Inside Canyon
All the marketing material from three years of competition is saved here.

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
The spare parts a team like this keeps in stock are enough to make any serious bike nerd drool: from drawers full of carbon cranks and handlebars to a huge assortment of shocks, wheels and even clothing. It is all here, ready to keep the bikes running no matter what and the riders looking sharp.

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
Inside Canyon

Inside Canyon
The real heart of the building is here, though. It may look modest, this is where Larry works his magic, and he has everything he could possibly need for prepping and fettling the team bikes to they are just perfect to be sent out to the riders.

Inside Canyon
Don't let the tattoos and serious expression fool you - aside from being a world-class mechanic, Larry is one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet.

MENTIONS: @Canyon-PureCycling


Author Info:
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Member since Oct 29, 2006
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68 Comments
  • 153 0
 I have boxes like that in my garage. Full of new shiney things. Like the plastic pedals and toe clips that come with new bikes, bells etc. Because of this I have no envy. None at all.
  • 11 1
 ih yeah? Well I have a shoe box full of tubes tire irons, and even a spare bottle of chain lube
  • 4 0
 I have boxes full of scratched, broken, twisted parts and older stuff that I save for some far off future cruiser or one speed bike. I've had a long run wearing out and destroying parts whist riding. Because of this I have no Envy. When they break I warranty them and get new ones.
  • 6 0
 yea?? well i have a shoe box full o stickers
  • 17 0
 Am I the only one here with a shoebox with actual shoes in them Wink
  • 2 0
 I have a supercycle...And all its parts are in a box. Does that count Wink
  • 7 0
 I have no Enve either, but wish I did.
  • 1 0
 Id LOVE to get lost in there, and hopefully come out 50 lbs heavier Wink
  • 104 1
 *Looks at picture of bearings*
*Scrolls down to picture of mechanic*
*Looks at ears*
*Scrolls back up*

Surely I'm not the only one who did that.
  • 8 6
 Whats the craic with the ears thing?please tell.not taking the piss either.
  • 2 1
 Too each their own I would assume.
  • 2 1
 Like I said just curious that's all.
  • 5 1
 Pretty sure those are bearing races in the ears.
  • 4 3
 They are just stretched ear lobes with Double flared tunnels in them, pretty common body mod these days.
  • 2 0
 Meat loops
  • 3 1
 *Looks at fabdemaere's comment*
*Srolls up to picture of mechanic*
*Looks at ears*
*Wonders what rock fabdemaere has been living under for 15 years*

Surely you've seen this before so why comment?
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: I took it that he just thought it was coincidental that there was picture of a tray of bearings that resemble the body jewelery. Its funny, having been down that path in a previous part of my life, I noticed the ears and made no connection to the bearings; but that a good find! I use to scavenge ear hole holder openers from all kind of places, but never thought of stainless bearings. Back then, you couldn't walk into your local mall and buy 1" double flared tunnels for your ears. You had to make them yourself...or go to San Francisco.
  • 41 5
 Dear @Canyon-PureCycling,

please dispatch my Spectral next week as you have said you will. I am currently on my 4th change of delivery date.

Thanks
  • 3 0
 By that time, I had already ordered another enduro bike from a small German manufacturer. When did you order yours?
  • 3 0
 I did only place my order in January and at that time my provisional shipping date was for the 15th-19th of February.This then changed to the 7th-11th of March, then I was told it would arrive a week later and now it is due for shipping next week.

I have been tempted by other brands but this is the bike I really want and feel will suit the type of riding I do so hopefully they will manage to get it sent out soon.

What bike did you go for in the end?
  • 2 0
 Hey just keep hoping Wink I ordered my Spectral back in October and just got it this week without any warning. That's a pretty long time, but I have to admit the 7.0 EX in stealth is a pretty sweet looking thing! Wink Had the same procedure with shifted delivery dates before and even ordered 4 2015 models just to get a message that they are unfortunately out of stock... So my first order was on 23rd of September and I got the bike on 22nd of March, so thats an accurate half of a year...
  • 1 0
 lads im sorry to say but thats the kind of things that happen when you order bikes with from internet, stop chasing best deals, and getting fucked about for when your bikes coming! and support your local bike shops! they need it!
  • 2 0
 You may have a point @LeeMciver but I can't afford to buy a bike with the equivalent spec when it would easily cost me £2000 more. Also having worked in a bike shop years ago I can't bring myself to pay my old shop a load of profit just for assembling a bike they had to order in for me.

Local shops may need support but unfortunately people who have to work hard for their money will always look for the best deal they can find.
  • 32 2
 What I want my garage to look like.
  • 26 4
 I bet that bleed kit gets used more than any other tool Wink
  • 18 1
 Is it weird that it took me a little while to notice the Fabien head on the middle poster?
  • 5 0
 What Fabien head?
  • 1 0
 I thought I saw one there somewhere.

[looks at poster again] [waiting...] [waiting...] [waiting...]

Wait, what did you say?
  • 1 0
 thanks for making me notice Mr. Craig Smile
  • 11 0
 Those boxes... with the things inside... I want them.
  • 7 1
 Id like to see some boxes with shipping labels that read To: usa From: canyon
  • 9 1
 Sometimes I wonder, woul they notice few missing parts? Nothing big, just a crankset, handlebar, cassete, shoes, etc...
  • 9 0
 When can I move in?
  • 9 2
 hey larry i can see through your ears
  • 6 0
 An adults candy store
  • 4 0
 I enjoyed looking at this bike porn vs human porn more than i'm willing to admit to my friends
  • 8 3
 canyon please... sell to the usa... please i beg of you
  • 5 0
 So they got all the spare shapeshifters all others are waiting for?
  • 4 0
 How does an individual get a job similar to Larry's?
  • 8 0
 Get qualifications and apply for jobs and be willing to move
  • 7 0
 Ya, I had a friend who was a mechanic for a pro race team back in the day. It's not a great job for anyone with a family, because in addition to just being willing to move, you're going to be traveling non-stop. But, if you can swing it, my friend really enjoyed it - for a few years. Even as a single guy, he got burned out, moved home and went back to wrenching in the same shop he was at before he began his adventure.
  • 4 0
 *scroll* *scroll* XX1 Eagle.....
  • 4 1
 bruh, is that purple coming to a production frame, as i kinda like need it.
  • 3 0
 Can you please work on my bike next? Smile
  • 3 1
 Anyone know what kind of helmets those are?
  • 5 1
 Urge ArchiEnduro
  • 1 0
 Thanks! @jewsef
  • 2 0
 The Strive with the yellow paint job looks nice
  • 2 1
 As much disdain as I have to for canyon, their race program is awesome. I love seeing pics like this.
  • 4 2
 who's running the full face with no visor?
  • 1 0
 Can anyone tell me where to buy this syringe for bleeding brakes?
Or the brand and model?

Thanks
  • 2 0
 It looks like the Avid Professional Bleed Kit syringe pretty easy to get a hold of I think
  • 1 0
 on the internet
  • 1 0
 having just seen the sram 1x12 article...are those x12 casettes in the blurred photo?!
  • 1 0
 My wife's box is better ????
  • 2 1
 These boxes are like treasure chests)))
  • 2 1
 So much want
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