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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
So, Epic for XC, Jeffsy for trail. Any other new idea, Canyon!?
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.
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.
@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.
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).
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.
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.
Admittedly I'm a huge Neff fan
Everybody who held three Word Champ titles in three different disciplines can be a princess...
Now we just need a Canyon 29" trail bike...