This mountain bike has hero status. This is because Alban Lakata became world champion on the difficult course of the Sellaronda Hero Marathon back in 2015. This was followed by a silver medal at the 2016 World Championships, a Test victory in BIKE 1/17 and another world championship title in 2017 with Lakata in the saddle.
Since last year, Canyon has also been offering a CF-SL version alongside the successful CF-SLX frame, which is fitted to the more affordable bikes. The geometry and design remain unchanged, but the frame with the cheaper carbon fibres weighs just under 250 grams more. The slightly lower stiffness determined by our test bench in the laboratory is not noticeable in practice. Even heavy riders have no problem with it. Despite the attractive price, the hardtail weighs just 10.4 kilos. In combination with good wheel acceleration and the good rolling Maxxis tyres, the Canyon mountain bike doesn't have to shy away from even the toughest marathon trails. It climbs excellently. However, compared to the top model, you have to accept significant losses in seating comfort. The aluminium seatpost has almost 40 percent less flex than the two-piece carbon seatpost of the Test winner model from BIKE 1/17.
The Ardent Race front tyre also copes well with wet conditions and, together with a low bottom bracket, ensures secure bike handling on singletrack. The 90-millimetre stem and the slightly higher stack value make the riding position pleasantly comfortable. With a SID fork, high-quality DT Swiss wheels and expensive tyres, the equipment is unique at this price.
Ludwig Döhl, BIKE editor: Unrivalled price/performance ratio! Other manufacturers can't even offer such a good complete package for MTB hardtails for 500 euros more. The riding position on the Canyon Exceed CF SL is comfortable, but the seatpost offers little flex. The low bottom bracket and the good front tyre ensure safe handling on single trails. An absolutely competition-ready hardtail bike!
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2018 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
