Canyon Torque FRX 9.0

The "Torque FRX 9.0 Racezone" has been significantly stretched and has lost a lot of weight: 16.7 kilos is a very good value for a 200-millimetre freerider with steel suspension elements. The high-quality equipment is typical of Canyon. The Cane Creek "Double Barrel" and the Fox "40 Van RC2" are worth a small fortune on their own. Canyon also splashes out on every other component, no matter how small: Sram "X0" drivetrain, E13 "The Hive" cranks, Spank wheels and handlebars. Plus a lightweight but powerful "Code/X0" brake combination.

There's nothing left to tune. The only thing the customer can do is tweak the geometry. This can be adjusted via a rocker insert. You can choose between 180 or 200 millimetres of suspension travel and a steering angle of 64 or 65 degrees.

We rode the "FRX 9.0 Racezone" with a long stroke and slack angle - ideal for the bumpy, rough downhill track in Bischofsmais. Canyon has done a good job with the geometry. You no longer sit as squat as on the old model. A reach of 406 millimetres may not be overly long, but it's perfect if you don't just want to race. Despite the visually classic tubeset without curves, Canyon has managed to lower the bottom bracket to a low 345 millimetres. This improves the handling noticeably, even if the centre of gravity is not quite as low as on the extreme representatives of the hydroforming pot-bellied pig faction due to the high shock rocker position.

The Cane Creek shock feels very soft when you first sit on it. We initially left it at the factory compression and rebound settings (2 clicks each of high-speed rebound and compression and 12 clicks each of low-speed rebound and compression). A special tool is supplied with the bike to turn the many screws on the "double barrel", but we were pretty happy with the basic setting. We trimmed the fork with 5 clicks of low-speed, 3 clicks of high-speed compression and 4 clicks of rebound.

Tuned in this way, the suspension works very harmoniously, reacts quickly to the large to very large bumps on the track and doesn't bounce even on the odd bumpy landing. The low weight is noticeable and the handling is on the nimble side. Compared to pure downhill bikes, the "Torque FRX" is a little more nervous at V-max. But that's complaining on a very high level - the bike is not intended to be a pure downhill bike. With the good rear suspension function and the great fork, it is always very well suited for park use on difficult trails and is also a lot of fun on flowing singletrails with its direct handling.

ConclusionThe facelift was urgently needed and has done the "Torque FRX" a world of good. The geometry is now up to date. The low bottom bracket and longer top tube put the rider in a very balanced riding position. Although it does not yet achieve an extremely low centre of gravity with its classic straight tube set, the handling and riding stability are still at a very high level. With different equipment and a firmer 180 set-up, it is a thoroughbred freerider that can also function as an extreme tourer thanks to the effectively steep seat angle. The suspension function is very good and the equipment is once again beyond reproach.

MANUFACTURER INFORMATION

SizesS, M, L
Priceapprox. 3.599 Euro
Weight16.7 kg (without pedals)
ForkFox "40 Van Fit RC2" (185-200 mm)
DamperCane Creek "Double Barrel" (203 mm)

MEASURED DATA

Steering angle: 63,9°
Seat angle: 73,7°
Top tube: 584 mm
Chainstay length: 425 mm
Bottom bracket height: 343 mm

EQUIPMENT

Circuit: Sram "XO", crank: eThirteen "The Hive"
BrakesAvid "Code/XO"
StemSpank "Spike DM"
Seat postSDG "I-Beam"
SaddleSDG "Fly"
Impellers Mavic "Deemax" system wheelset
TyresMaxxis Minion DH" 2.4 front, Maxxis "High Roller DH" 2.5 rear