Canyon Strive CFR LTD: High-tech on a budget - the Canyon Strive in a dream bike test
Max Fuchs
· 22.06.2024
The Canyon Strive in a dream bike test? A mountain bike from one of the world's biggest bike mail order companies among all the boutique bikes? What's the attraction? It's simple: this is one of the fastest enduro bikes on the market. Professionals like Jesse Melamed regularly ride the Strive to the top of the Enduro World Cup. But the successful model from Koblenz has also scored top marks in our BIKE tests. Attractive enough for some people to secretly dream of this Canyon.
Fact check: Canyon Strive CFR LTD
- Price: 5999 Euro
- Field of application: Enduro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Spring travel: 160 mm rear / 170 mm front
- Wheel size: 29-inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 16 kg in size L
- Impeller weight: 5709 g
- Guarantee: 6 years
- Special features: Shapeshifter, top price-performance ratio, extreme geometry approach (very long and flat), reach-adjustment headset
Long, longer, Canyon Strive
If you're interested in the Canyon Strive, you should take a close look at the size distribution beforehand. Because in size L, the reach measures 500 millimetres! By comparison, the majority of competitors in this size range between 470 and 485 millimetres. It is therefore better to choose a size smaller in order to harmonise the proportions of man and machine.
Otherwise, the Strive is simply too long. For this reason, we also opted for a size M test bike. Here, the reach measures 468 millimetres in the short setting. Depending on your preference, the value can be extended by five or ten millimetres thanks to the eccentric headset shells. In terms of size, the Strive CFR then plays in the same league as the competition in size L.
The Canyon Strive is also variable when it comes to the suspension. Almost like a Transformer, the geometry and suspension travel of the Canyon can be adjusted from the handlebars at the touch of a button using the so-called Shapeshifter. A small gas pressure spring, which changes the linkage of the shock, raises the bottom bracket in uphill mode, steepens the seat and steering angle by more than one degree and firms up the rear suspension for more propulsion during intermediate sprints. At the same time, the suspension travel shrinks to 140 millimetres.
As the bottom bracket height of 345 millimetres is still in the green zone even in high mode, both modes can even be ridden downhill depending on the trail requirements. The Strive therefore has two faces: that of an uncompromising baller bike and that of a lively enduro bike, perfect for undulating trails and pedalling-heavy tours. No other mountain bike on the market manages this balancing act as well - especially not at such an attractive price.
Speaking of pricing policy: Canyon is unbeatable here as usual. For 5999 euros, the Koblenz-based company packs the unique Shapeshifter technology, flawless Fox Factory suspension, Sram's latest transmission and a flawless carbon chassis into the shipping box. You can't get more bike for your money at the moment.
The features of the Canyon Strive CFR LTD - high-tech at an affordable price
- Fork: Fox 38 Factory
- DamperFox Float X2 Factory
- CircuitSram X0 Transmission
- Translation / bandwidth: 32; 10-52/520 %
- BrakesSram Code RSC / 200/200 mm
- Telesupport/liftCanyon G5 dropper/170 mm
- ImpellersDT-Swiss EX 511
- TyresMaxxis Assegai/Minion DHR 3C Maxxgrip/Maxxterra Exo+Protection TR 29 x 2.50/2.40
The geometry from the BIKE test lab
A race enduro straight out of the textbook
Despite the smaller frame size - with its 62.6 degree head angle and 1280 millimetre wheelbase - the Strive can do one thing above all: mill along the fall line at full throttle. The combination of low bottom bracket and high front end embeds the rider very low behind the control centre. As soon as gravity pulls the bike downhill, this gives the Canyon an extreme degree of poise.
The excellent suspension does the rest. The rear suspension filters out fine bumps almost at steel spring level. In other words, the traction is awesome. Nevertheless, the suspension does not lack support. Quite the opposite. If you actively push the bike through compressions and berms, the Strive generates super speed. Sluggishly bogging down in the suspension travel? Not a chance!
However, very winding and difficult to see trails push the extreme geometry to its limits. Here, the Canyon feels bulky in the long setting. That's why our tip is to always rotate the headset shells so that the bike handles better on singletrack. Thanks to the steep seat angle, the drive-neutral rear end and the Shapeshifter technology, the Strive sets new standards on pedalling sections and uphill. Bravo!
Ride behaviour & stiffness at a glance
Conclusion on the Canyon Strive CFR LTD in the dream bike test
While you can buy just the entry-level model for 6000 euros from many manufacturers, with Canyon you get a high-end enduro bike delivered to your door. Once you have found the right size, the riding characteristics leave nothing to be desired. Be sure to experiment with the reach... - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Max Fuchs
Editor
