We called the first Canyon Sender (2016) the iPhone of downhill bikes because it was so chic and elegant. The shock was hidden in the elegantly shaped carbon seat dome - the competition looked downright clumsy in comparison. But it wasn't just the looks that impressed, the performance of the Sender was also impressive. Professional riders competed in World Cups and the Red Bull Rampage with the bike and we amateur freeriders had fun in the park.
Now the Koblenz-based supplier is presenting the third evolutionary stage of the downhiller. The World Cup team led by technical perfectionist Fabien Barel has been experimenting for a long time and now wants to have developed the ultimate DH bike. Now, of course, with the currently hip high-pivot kinematics. Team rider Troy Brosnan won the last World Cup in 2024 with the new transmitter, also finished on the podium at the Red Bull Hardline in spring 2025 and would have come close to winning the World Cup in Val di Sole if super talent Jackson Goldstone hadn't beaten him to it at the last second. Good timing! After all, performance is worth a thousand words. Canyon offers two models: "Underdog" for 4499 euros and "Team" for 5999 euros, both in Mullet, both made of carbon. Weight: from 18 kilos.
Role play
This is the number one innovation: the high-pivot construction. Canyon hopes that this will provide more traction, more riding stability and control in the hunt for seconds in tough DH terrain. In order to utilise the advantages of the system, the chain must be guided over the pivot point by means of pulleys, otherwise the pedal kickback would knock your shins blue like the kickstarter of a Yamaha DT 500 in the past.
Steering control
Canyon integrated the stabiliser developed with Syntace K.I.S. (Keep It Stable) into the bigbike (only recognisable by a plastic inlet in the top tube. If you don't like it, you can remove it. Canyon recommends: Try it out first! They know from experience: "Once you get used to the 'Stabi', you won't want to do without it." We say: On rough downhills, any steering aid for your motor skills is welcome.
Lever mechanism
The plastic cap conceals a complex lever system for damper suspension. At the upper end, the steel strut can be repositioned for more progression and a flip chip changes the geometry.
Mullet
Canyon team boss and former world champion Fabien Barel is consistent: the Sender is only available as a mullet, with a 27.5 rear wheel. The fast Frenchman believes that this only brings advantages in downhill racing.
Goodbye freeride!
Formerly a four-link, usually with an air shock, the Sender was light, agile and manoeuvrable. Exactly what park freeriders want. Now Canyon is targeting traction-hungry full-throttle racers - a change of strategy in the Sender concept.
What else might interest you
+ Canyon Sender 2025: all models
+ Three big bikes in comparison: for DH and park
+ Downhiller tested in Leogang with celebrity tester
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
