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Bike Perfect

Lifestyle

Paul Brett

Canyon boosts its ON e-MTB range with the all-new Strive, Torque and Grand Canyon models

Canyon (Organization) STRIVE Torque Bosch RockShox DT Shimano SRAM United States

The Canyon Strive:ON LTD side on view on a bridge

Canyon has unveiled three new e-MTB models including the Strive:ON, which will be Canyon's first enduro e-MTB designed specifically to handle the rigors of the EDR-E electric enduro World Series. Canyon is covering all the options for the best electric mountain biking with the ultra-powerful, carbon, gravity-orientated Torque:ON, and an alloy hardtail, the Grand Canyon:ON, which is aimed at e-MTB riders new to the electric mountain bike world. It also fits into the ever growing trend for everyday SUV commuter bikes like the Mondraker Chaser X and the Specialized Terro X, with a variety of models dropping across the three new e-MTBs, we dived in to explore more.

Strive:ON

With the Canyon Strive, racing is in its DNA. For the electric Strive:ON, the German brand has a built-from-the-ground-up, Bosch-powered, enduro e-MTB. Canyon has based the e-MTB on the light, tough, and forgiving carbon frame found in its award-winning, naturally powered sibling. The purely pedal powered Strive was ridden to victory by Fabien Barel in the 2013 Enduro World Series, and Canyon aims to make a statement in the new UCI E-Enduro World Cup Series with the new Strive:ON.

Canyon has worked with Fabien Barel to deliver a race-ready enduro monster e-MTB (Image credit: Canyon)

Canyon worked alongside Fabien Barel to deliver a thoroughbred race-ready dedicated enduro e-MTB that brings power and precision to the climbs along with all-out speed and handling on the descents. They also aimed to build the same stiffness and forgiveness into the Strive:ON that makes the regular Strive an outstanding all-day race bike.

Often featuring up to four hours of riding and over 3,000 meters of climbing, e-enduro races are notoriously difficult with technical uphill ‘Power Stages’ and it takes a special bike to race for the win. Canyon has designed every model in the line-up around the bombproof CFR carbon frame that is lightweight with an updated racing geometry, and mullet wheels to give the perfect mix of all-out speed stability and tight trail agility.

The Strive:ON's Bosch motor is powered by 625 or 750Wh Powertube batteries (Image credit: Canyon)

With a progressive geometry, a dialed 160mm rear suspension, and race-ready carbon chassis, Canyon also shaped the Strive:ON around the Bosch Performance Line CX and CX Race motors. The systems deliver 600 watts of peak power, rapid motor response and sustained torque delivery to clear even the most technical trail sections. The motor is powered by large 625 or 750Wh Bosch Powertube batteries to let riders choose between lower weight or longer range. The motor unit and chainring are also protected by a moto-inspired skid plate mounted directly to the motor, which should enable the Strive:ON to keep racing through the toughest terrain.

Canyon has chosen to forego its Shapeshifter technology (the brand's travel and geometry adjustment system) and switches to a horizontal shock design used on the rest of the its e-MTB range. The new design also moves the bottle mount to under the top tube which allowed the Canyon design team to accommodate both the 625 and 750Wh batteries on every size from small to XL.

The moto-inspired skid plate protects the motor (Image credit: Canyon)

The flagship Strive:ON CFR LTD sets the bar for the whole range and features a custom colorway from Fabien Barel. Featuring top-of-the-line spec, the LTD also comes with the special Bosch Performance Line CX Race motor. The limited-release model is a claimed 150g lighter but the same size and profile as the standard Performance Line CX unit. It also ramps up the pedal assist from 340 percent to 400 percent and adds a Race Mode to deliver power faster and stronger with an extended overrun.

Canyon has designed the Strive:ON to be raced at the highest levels, and looks set to provide any rider seeking a fast and aggressive e-MTB outfitted with the best motor and components with an absolute race ready beast. The complete range is made up of three models, the Strive:ON CFR Underdog, the Strive:ON CFR and the Strive:ON CFR LTD.

The Strive:ON range is available to order direct from Canyon.com now starting at £5,499 / €5,999 for the Strive:ON Underdog, the Strive:ON CFR starting at £6,699 / €7,199 and the Strive:ON CFR LTD starting at £8,999 / €9,699 with US pricing to be confirmed.

Torque:ON

The original Torque:ON AL was built around a 504Wh battery and with the Torque:ON CF, the Canyon gravity team has gone back to the drawing board to design what they say is an uncompromising long travel freeride e-MTB, with a battery range capable of all-day riding. The Torque:ON uses the same 720 or 900Wh batteries seen on the Spectral:ON CFR, and uses the compact and powerful Shimano EP8 motor which they say is integrated seamlessly into the new carbon chassis

By switching to full carbon, Canyon’s engineers have shaved 1.5kg of weight from the previous frame while still improving stiffness and strength. The new frame is rated at Category 5E – Canyon’s highest testing level reserved for downhill racing and freeriding. Along with its durability, using carbon also allowed the design team to create the unique, moto-inspired look of the Torque:ON. Featuring a new low-slung shock position, low bottom bracket and lower motor location that they say puts the center of gravity deep in the frame to improve handling and traction. It also allowed Canyon to add a split top tube design that makes room for a custom 'gas tank' inspired 650ml water bottle first spotted by the eagle-eyed in a patent from Canyon back in January.

The split top tube design makes room for the 'gas tank' inspired water bottle storage (Image credit: Canyon )

Canyon’s main goal with the new Torque:ON CF was to make a rapid-climbing e-MTB that rides like a thoroughbred freeride rig, and it comes kitted with a 180mm fork up front and a dialed 175mm rear shock. Every bike in the range also comes outfitted with mullet mixed wheel sizing. The 29-inch front wheel and 27.5-inch rear wheel combo is Canyons' choice for optimum e-MTB riding. The mullet bike setup adds weight and lower center of gravity to increase stability, with the smaller rear wheel keeping the bike agile and whippable.

The rear shock on the Torque:ON is RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate (Image credit: Canyon)

The top-of-the-range Torque:ON CF Roczen, is in collaboration with legendary motocross racer Ken Roczen, it features the Roczen 94 colorway and comes fully equipped with a RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork, the plush Super Deluxe C Ultimate coil shock, SRAM’s wireless XO1 AXS Transmission and RockShox AXS Reverb dropper seat post.

There are two other models in the new lineup, the Torque:ON CF 8 includes a Shimano SLX groupset paired with Fox Performance suspension and the Torque:ON CF 9 is built up with a Shimano XT groupset and Fox Factory suspension.

The complete Torque:ON range is also available to order now at Canyon.com. with pricing on Torque:ON CF 8 starting at $5,499 / £5,749 / €5,999, with the Torque:ON 9 at $6,499 / £7,149 / €7,499 and the Roczen at $8,499 / £8,599 / €8,999.

Grand Canyon:ON

While the Strive:ON and Torque:ON are all about ultra-high-performance e-MTB, the Grand Canyon:ON is aimed at riders who want to ride any surface with the added boost of an e-MTB. It still gets a Bosch CX motor and various options for battery range and build spec, plus all the rack, fender, and even kickstand mounts you could want.

The Grand Canyon:ON comes with a host of useful features including a kickstand (Image credit: Canyon )

Canyon has also given the Grand Canyon:ON a balanced geometry to provide a comfortable riding position when seated and give a riders confidence-inspiring position when standing. The 120mm travel fork, 29-inch wheels and large 2.6-inch tires work together to provide an enjoyable all-terrain ride.

The low, central position of the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 85Nm of torque should give optimal weight distribution, and create a stable ride characteristic which they say is further enhanced by the frame’s 475mm reach and longer chainstays of 460mm. Combined with a steeper 75-degree seat tube angle its designed to excel while climbing, Canyon say you get an e-MTB that’ll get you anywhere you want to go.

There are four Grand Canyon:ON models in the line-up for 2023. All feature the same modern, light and robust aluminum frame and a Canyon-designed cockpit. The Grand Canyon:ON 9 features the e-MTB-specific Fox AWL fork with 120 mm of travel, Rodi TRYP 30 wheelset and a Shimano XT groupset with Magura CTE ABS brakes that includes ABS technology, and a Iridium dropper. The Grand Canyon:ON 8 features the same spec without the ABS anti-lock braking and both the Grand Canyon:ON 7 comes in either a 750 or 625Wh battery option with a RockShox Judy Silver fork and 120mm of travel and the same Rodi TRYP 30 wheelset as other models and a Shimano Deore groupset with SRAM DB8 brakes.

All four models of the new aluminum Canyon Grand Canyon:ON are available now from Canyon at £2,899 / €2,999 for the Grand Canyon:ON 7 with a smaller 625Wh battery, the 750wh battery version at £3,099 / €3,199, the Grand Canyon:ON 8 at £3,649 / €3,799 and the ON 9 at £4,149 / €4,300 with US pricing to be confirmed.