If you measure the bikes in this comparison based on their World Cup successes, the Canyon Lux is the clear winner. Professionals such as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Mathieu van der Poel and Luca Schwarzbauer have used the race bike from Koblenz to shake up the world's best in recent years. The Lux has often ended up at the top of the podium.
2nd place: Full carbon frame with 1675 grams
The candidate received its last update last summer. But contrary to the trend of equipping race bikes for technical descents, Canyon is sticking to the values of classic racing bikes. True to the motto "lightweight construction is key, and propulsion beats downhill fun", the Lux only comes with 100 millimetres of travel at the rear and front, has a moderate geometry and does without a telescopic seatpost.
At 1675 grams, the naked full carbon frame only manages second place in the comparison. However, we know from past tests that the Koblenz-based company is one of the best on the market with this value. Nino Schurter's workhorse, for example, the Scott Spark RConly manages 1780 grams in the frame measurement. The chassis of the Trek Supercalibre our laboratory scales only stop at 1764 grams in size L.
The wheels keep Canyon at 10 kilos
As a complete bike, however, the Canyon is only just under the 10-kilo mark - even though the lightest suspension has been installed in the frame. In addition, the fixed carbon seatpost gives the bike a further weight advantage over the competition with telescopic seatposts. That only leaves the 3953 gram wheels, which prevent a top value on the scales. And indeed: the wheels from Simplon and Arc8 weigh 163 and 606 grams less respectively.
Strong on equipment
Otherwise, however, the mail order company has no weaknesses in terms of equipment. Quite the opposite. The electronic XX1 Eagle drivetrain changed gears most confidently under load. It also offers the widest range. Another highlight are the Ceramicspeed ball bearings at all pivot points and in the headset.
How the Canyon Lux rides
But enough of the bland theory. How does the classic race bike perform in practice? Light, direct and powerful. That sums up the Lux's core competences. As is typical for Canyon, the rear suspension is extremely drive-neutral, although not quite as smooth as that of the Arc8. The response behaviour impressed all test riders.
Although the rear and front are primarily noticeable in comparison due to the shortest suspension travel, they harmonise very well. Root fields and somewhat rougher pedalling sections can be mastered efficiently and comfortably. However, the suspension does not offer any reserves for jumps or bigger bumps. If you use the remote lever to lock the suspension elements for acceleration, the Lux is only beaten by the slightly lighter competition from Switzerland.
The Canyon Lux does not forgive mistakes
The moderate seat angle paired with the long stem and low stack value stretches the rider over the frame triangle in a sporty manner. This reduces the load on the upper body and is particularly beneficial on long distances. This type of riding position is particularly appreciated by experienced marathon racers. Off-road, however, the Lux requires a lot of riding skill from the rider. This is because the short suspension travel and front-heavy riding position with a considerable saddle rise do not forgive any mistakes. Heavier riders will also feel the reduced stiffness of the petite stanchions of the SID-SL fork.
On steep descents, the classic race bike without the dropper post finally loses its edge and has to let its rivals go due to a lack of freedom of movement and riding confidence. The geometry with its steep head angle, short chainstays and tight wheelbase also makes the Lux only moderately stable. On the other hand, the bike shines as soon as the cornering radius shrinks and the speed slows down. Here, the bike is extremely manoeuvrable and precise through the terrain. Also good: The 2.35 inch wide Maxxis tyres offer plenty of volume on the 30 millimetre wide rims. This enables low air pressures and increases comfort.
But back to the World Cup: under the dictates of trained professional calves, the Lux definitely has the tools to collect victories. However, if you reduce the bike purely to its riding characteristics, more modern fullys have the edge.
Conclusion on the Canyon Lux CFR test:
Bold, say some, old-fashioned, say others - the classic development approach polarises opinion. But one thing is certain: anyone who values characteristics such as maximum propulsion, long-distance capability or maximum agility for winding courses in a race bike will find the perfect bike in the Lux CFR LTD - and with an attractive price-performance ratio to boot.
performance ratio. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Technical data and notes Canyon Lux CFR Ltd.
Manufacturer information
- Price¹: 7999 Euro
- Available by mail order
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: XS, S, M,L, XL(tested in size L, 49 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 9.98 kg
- Frame weight: 1675 g
- Weight of wheels. 3953 g
- Acceleration wheels: 3203 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 740 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 38 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Ikon; 3C MaxxSpeed Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.35; Maxxis Ikon; 3C MaxxSpeed Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.35
- Fork: Rockshox SID SL Ultimate
- Shock: Rockshox SID Luxe Ultimate
- Front/rear suspension travel: 102/102 mm
- Brakes: Sram Level ULT / 180/160 mm
- Gear system: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Seatpost / Ø: Canyon SP0061 / 30.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 27 from 30
- Chassis efficiency:: 22.5 out of 25
- Rolling resistance:: 13.5 out of 15
- Weight: 25 from 25
- Inertia impellers: 9 out of 15
- Bottle cage: 9.5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 24 from 30
- Front suspension: 8.5 out of 10
- Rear suspension: 12 out of 15
- Saddle retractability: 7 out of 10
- Brakes: 8 out of 10
- Tyre grip: 12 out of 15
- Driving stability: 4 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 106.5 OUT OF 120
TOTAL DOWNHILL:: 75.5 OUT OF 100
- Other: 26.75 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: weak
BIKE test rating²: super - 208.8 out of 250 points
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-170 P.), good (169.75-140 P.), satisfactory (139.75-100 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
Top 10: The lightest MTBs 2023 & 2024 - frame weights in comparison
Cross-country bikes are the supreme discipline for MTB engineers. A huge amount of development work is required to continually raise the supposedly optimised models to a new level.
In order to achieve maximum range of use and minimum weight with full race track suitability, special carbon fibre, innovative frame construction and cleverly composed equipment are used to combat every superfluous gram.
The basis for a super light mountain bike is a super light frame. Filigree damper linkages and the elimination of everything that is not really necessary will enable frame weights of well under 2000 grams in 2024. Including the shock, mind you. And with very good stiffness.
These are currently probably the lightest and most expensive mountain bikes we have tested - the top stars will be competing with them in the 2024 Olympic year. The bare figures.
Overview: The 10 lightest MTB frames 2023/2024 - weighed & tested by BIKE
- Arc8 Evolve FS (size L): 1536 g
- Trek Supercaliber (size L): 1672 g
- Canyon Lux CFR (size L): 1675 g
- Specialised S-Works Epic 8 FACT 12M (size L): 1682 g
- Cannondale Scalpel Series 0 (size M): 1775 g (on test: Series 1, size L, 2052 g )
- Scott Spark RC World Cup (size L): 1780 g (in the test: Scott Spark RC Pro for 6799 euros)
- Pivot Mach 4 SL (size M): 1845 g
- Specialised Epic EVO 8 FACT 11M (size L): 1872 g
- Simplon Cirex 120 (size L): 1880 g
- MMR Kenta SXC (size L): 2125 g
Close behind:
Without integration, as without BIKE test & without BIKE measurement
Max Fuchs
Editor
