Canyon's Prototype Cross-Country Weapon - Stellenbosch World Cup XCO

Mar 11, 2018 at 13:52
by Mike Levy  
Pauline Ferrand Prevot had and early lead but a mechanical cost her the win. It s good to see Pauline back on form.


Canyon's cross-country racers showed up to the Stellenbosch World Cup XCO aboard a brand new full-suspension race bike that's a massive departure from the company's Lux platform, a machine that's getting a bit long in the tooth these days. The two bikes do share the same approach to their dropout pivots - both have engineered-in flex to their carbon rear ends rather than traditional pivots that require hefty hardware and bearings - but that's where the similarities end.


Original un-cropped photo https www.pinkbike.com photo 15680340


The Lux (pictured at right) sports a vertically mounted shock that's driven by a rocker link that pivots off of the seat tube, whereas the new and very black prototype sees its pint-sized shock mounted beneath the top tube. While out of sight in these photos, the prototype (pictured above) employs a miniature version of the linkage that Canyon uses on their new and much longer travel Torque frame. No word on travel or geometry numbers, but it's surely sporting around 100mm out back, and Canyon does use some fairly forward-thinking (but not too wild) geometry on their burlier bikes, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see this new cross-country whippet running some untraditional numbers.
Canyon Lux

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot nearly gave the new bike a debut victory, but a mechanical near the end meant that a still impressive second place was on the cards. ''Happy with my 2nd place in today’s @epicworldcup. Just a shame for my mechanical problem when I was in the lead! But we all know that MTB is a mechanical sport, and @AnnikaLangvad was really strong @canyon_bikes @WMNcycling,'' she said on her personal Twitter account.


Mathieu van der Poel looking calm cool and collected pre race.
photo


Cyclocross phenom (and grandson of road legend Raymond Poulidor) Mathieu van der Poel rode his prototype to an impressive fourth-place finish. Not too shabby for the 23-year-old Corendon–Circus racer whose main focus has always been on cross and road racing. Here's hoping we see the young Dutchman at more XCO events this season.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

78 Comments
  • 51 1
 Finally, concrete indications that Canyon is working on a (long overdue) new XC full suspension bike. Looking forward to it.
  • 72 1
 So overdue, but it looks good. Then again, everything looks good in matte black.
  • 5 0
 Thought it would have arrived sooner after the Exceed was launched, v long overdue. With the new Spectral, Torque and E-bike they now offer an entire spectrum of bikes that are at the top of the market inc. road and cx bikes, with the exception of a long-travel 29er!

My old Spectral 29er was sick, but now Canyon are lagging far behind in the 29er game, surely a 29er 150mm+ travel bike has to be coming?
  • 7 2
 @mikelevy: Can I challenge that notion by presenting you with the nightmarish vision of a matte black Marin Wolf Ridge.
  • 8 1
 @Scottybike36: I like the way the new Wolf Ridge looks, but it's pretty polarizing.
  • 5 0
 @JoeRSB: Could they make the new Strive a 29er, like Trek did with Slash?
  • 1 0
 @Scottybike36: should watch the review on youtube where buddy was giving a used demo bike a try and the back end was like a limp noodle.
  • 1 0
 @JoeRSB: I said the same thing 3 years ago. Waited for a season and then went with an Escarpe.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: Matte black Epic to be precise.

So, Epic for XC, Jeffsy for trail. Any other new idea, Canyon!?
  • 1 0
 Canyon is doing so just to put a motor and a battery on it. Just like their spectral.
  • 20 0
 Funny to see Scott moved the shock vertical because it allows them to construct a lighter frame (if I understood correctly) and then Canyon does the opposite.
  • 53 2
 maybe they wanted to build a heavier frame ?
  • 3 1
 They wanted a 29'er with a lower geometry
  • 22 1
 It's so it can fit 2 bottles. It makes sense for marathon racing since they sponsor quite a few of them
  • 35 1
 @KotsosK: Two bottles is life.
  • 11 0
 If it ain't broke, might as well change it, as the saying goes...
  • 4 1
 @RedBurn: shots fired
  • 1 0
 @JoeRSB: I saw several broken lux frames although their owners weren't such hard hitting guys
  • 1 1
 @mikelevy: hmn I get the problem with water bottle mounts theses days.
I have two cage's on my FR frame now, the frame it self did not have any real mount. Just DIY , possible to fit even two more bottles to it and they are secured that I could run it on a DH track.
  • 1 0
 @Serpentras: How did you manage that?
  • 1 0
 @AshLol: I used the bomb proof method of cable ties to fix the B-RAD system from Wolftooth to my lower tube.
With the extender adapters I could fit 6 bottles cages on the upper part of my lower tube.
There are other ways like to glue it with Sugru on the frame.
  • 1 0
 @Serpentras: Personally I have no need for a bottle in my frame but I get the frustration of those who like to have one and the frame of their choice doesn't have it. Now, there are some shorter bottles out there like what YT uses for their Jeffsy frame. So that got me thinking, wouldn't it be an option to position the bottles horizontally when using the right adaptors? Not sure how tall that Jeffsy bottle is and how much clearance people need. But typically you get close to the top tube when leaning the bike in corners (or tweaking it in the air if that's your thing) and of course the feet need some room. But low and in front of the feet, something extending sideways shouldn't be much of an issue, right? So would that work, horizontal bottle cages for (short) bottles on top of the downtube, well ahead of your feet? I'm sure someone could work out the required adaptors to mount a standard bottle cage there. No matter the layout, brands typically don't place their rear shock that much forward so that shouldn't be an issue.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: As I said before my frame don't have any mounts. I did exactly the thing you said. Unfortunately my rocker move to much forward and will damage the cage. I sure could work around that issue with some of that adapters from wolf tooth because they allow you to have 3 cage's on one bottle mount. On the semicircle adapters the bottles would be more on the side of the tubes and really would only work if you don't need that space.
  • 1 0
 @Serpentras: Alright then, yeah I wasn't sure this is what you meant. It doesn't really look like what the B-rad system does. Just to be sure, I meant the axis of the bottle is going to be parallel with the axle of the (rear) wheel. Cool to know it works then.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: I tried that first, the horizontal alignment for the cage on a adapter I made my self who allowed me to turn the cage in 360° on the B-rad. With the adaptor form wolf tooth , the semicircle type you can't do that but it allows me to have space on the middle of the lower tube for my rocker to move. Now I have space to mount on the side two cage's and in the middle of that I have a hook and loop system to carry all my tool's and spares I need for a day ride.
  • 20 1
 We need more XC bikes. We need short travel rippers that hold water bottles, climb like a scalded goat, have internal routing for droppers, and rip the downs with confidence while weighing 25lbs.
  • 15 0
 That type of bike is my everything.
  • 2 6
flag BBC14 (Mar 11, 2018 at 21:04) (Below Threshold)
 The evil following mb does exactly that
  • 9 0
 @BBC14: It's a fine bike, but it's certainly not a cross-country weapon.
  • 1 0
 Unno Horn. Except it'll weigh 23.5.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: haven't you had a RM Element in your possession for awhile? When can we expect a review?
  • 3 0
 @gooutsidetoday: I had last year's Element that was a rolling test bed for a bunch of parts that I reviewed, but it went back home awhile ago. I'm waiting for the 2019 XCO version that will get a full review.
  • 3 0
 Rocky mountain element is the weapon you speak of, throw a 160mm bikeyoke dropper and some real tires and the only limit is the size of your cojones. I rarely ride my Altitude anymore because the difference in descending time is negligible and the difference in climbing is definitely not negligible!
  • 1 0
 Sc tallboy 3
  • 14 0
 Looks like an Epic (no, not like a Session:-)
  • 2 0
 You mean a matte black Epic ASR?
  • 6 0
 Looks like I need to shave my legs.
  • 35 0
 Nah, XC bike w/ an 800mm handlebar, 50mm stem, baggy shorts, hairy legs, and all the skidz.
  • 5 0
 @mikelevy: you pretty much just spelled out my Jabberwocky
  • 9 0
 @joose: So much fun. A lot of the guys in my BC crew run race-worthy XC bikes with real tires, wide bars, and a dropper. Speedy and fun.
  • 5 0
 @mikelevy: pretty much my Hei Hei - 35mm stem and flat pedals!!!
  • 34 0
 @mountainman24: New bike category: down-country.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: That sums up my Trek Procal. Raced a whole cross-country season on it. Afterwards threw a dropper on and sessioned sketchy rock drops in the wilderness. Couldn't have been funner.
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: Is that anything like "down tempo alt country"?
  • 4 0
 @woofer2609: Hopefully not!
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: actually those converted xc bikes are pretty fun (and fast) to ride, although they don't feel so good on more steep and rough stuff
  • 3 0
 @shaked: That's how I do it. I have the current Canyon Lux. I've put a 120mm fork on it, decent tires and a dropper. Result is a bike that covers a lot of terrain. But I agree, once it gets rough AND steep, it's not ideal.

@mikelevy: In the article you make it sound like the current Lux is a so-so bike. (a massive departure)

In what way?

- Boost? (yay, a spectacular influence on riding. not)
- Different shock position? I will be very surprised if the comming reviews of the bike mention a big difference in the already very smooth current Lux.
- second bottle cage: 2 full bottles will influence the handling of a bike. Racers don't wear backpacks, but we normal people do if we go for a long ride.
- Updated geometry: probably a small 1° slacker headtube ( I really hope so)
- It will be lighter, no doubt, but the current Lux is already very easily built under 11kg or 24,25lbs.


No doubt it will be a better bike, but 'the massive departure' part is IMO a bit strong.
  • 6 1
 What mechanical did Prevot have? I don't recall seeing one. Langvad looked stronger the whole race even with her mistakes.
  • 4 9
flag jclnv (Mar 11, 2018 at 21:37) (Below Threshold)
 She's lovely and super strong but man is she a pain in the ass princess with the blame game etc.

The worst was the World Cup final CX when she couldn't hold her line, takes out Neff, and rolls around on the floor screaming in apparent pain while Neff tries to comfort her. Turns out she has bruised ribs while Neff broke her collarbone and elbow (I think).
  • 2 1
 @orangenut Something that fixed itself... Smile Langvad was super strong and kept her cool when she made mistakes. I think Prevot had no chance this time but it's it's good to see her back on the podium.
  • 3 0
 She stopped in the stands so that her mechanic could straighten out the derailleur hanger.
  • 4 1
 @jclnv: "She's lovely and super strong but man is she a pain in the ass princess with the blame game etc."


How can you know? Something you've heard?

About the CX-crash: you make it sound as it was her fault. Thing's like that happen in racing. You can also 'blame' Neff for trying to surpass Prevot on that off-camber section.

Last thing: ever had a lung collapse? Hurts like a mthf and screaming will be heard.
  • 4 0
 @jclnv: Have you ever done anything to your ribs mate? f*cking hurts. Collarbones and elbows are painful no doubt, but I've never experienced pain like busted ribs.
  • 3 0
 @jclnv: Actually both Neff and Pauline are quite nice and are well liked on the circuit.

The crash that you are referring too was actually Neff's fault. Anybody with any CX experience can clearly see that. The racing line on an off camber slope is to start high and slide down. If you dive down below someone on an off camber and they come down on that is your fault.

As for Pauline screaming in pain, the hit was hard and everybody reacts to a big crash differently. There are some hits, like having the wind knocked out of you which hurt immediately. When you brake a bone, you body releases a bunch of pain killers and for first couple of minutes at least the pain isn't that bad.
  • 1 6
flag jclnv (Mar 12, 2018 at 9:19) (Below Threshold)
 Fair comments guys. I still think she's a bit of princess/mentally fragile.

Admittedly I'm a huge Neff fan Wink
  • 2 0
 @jclnv: "I still think she's a bit of princess/mentally fragile."

Everybody who held three Word Champ titles in three different disciplines can be a princess... Smile
  • 3 1
 Another great option is the STAGE or STAGE MAX from PYGA Industries. Soon to be available in the US www.pygaindustries.com/product/stage/#frame
  • 2 0
 Saw heaps of these on the footage but didn't click what they were.

Now we just need a Canyon 29" trail bike...
  • 2 0
 Is there a paragraph missing? Who are the two males riders on these Canyon prototypes?
  • 1 0
 Edit: looks like they were referring to Van Der Poel.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, @mikelevy you should include Mathieu van der Poels name in the article.
  • 4 0
 @pyromaniac: Dang it, I could have sworn that I had his name in there under his photos, but I guess not. Good eye - it's added in Smile
  • 3 0
 Any racers riding on double cranksets? asking for a friend.
  • 1 0
 No
  • 2 0
 I think it looks like an RM Element
  • 1 0
 Does it really helps a bike's braking behaviour by integrating the brake caliper into the seatstay?
  • 4 0
 Position probably due to the fact that that type of bike will never see a larger rotor on the rear, and the use of flex instead of a pivot limits the possible brake mount locations
  • 2 0
 Maybe not, but personally i think it looks great.
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: agreed!
  • 3 1
 “No word on geometry numbers” = definitely steep af
  • 2 0
 Looks like some dirt on her shorts. Did she go down?
  • 2 1
 Hold on !!! canyon enter in the world cup XC.
  • 3 0
 Canyon has made XC bikes for many years...
  • 2 0
 @PAmtbiker: right, but they did not compete in the world cup Wink
  • 3 0
 @Eduspec: WC XCO yes they did. Very much so, but not with a sponsored team or riders that rode in to prizes. So they remained a bit under the radar. WC XCM: yes they do for many years, very succesfull (Alban Lakata & Sally Bigham as prime examples)
  • 2 0
 @JWP: Yes, but Alban & Sally compete in Marathon not in this discipline Wink







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