The Torque is intended to be a mountain bike for everything. For long bike park trips to Whistler and Port du Soleil in summer, short shuttle runs in winter and for the home trail in between. Expressly also when the trail is accessed conventionally using pure muscle power. To make this calculation work, the Canyon engineers have turned every screw on the new Torque.
Both the carbon and the aluminium frame are said to be 200 grams lighter than before and still stiffer. More progressive kinematics and the small bottle, which now fits into the frame, help on small climbs and big jumps. Large wheels are available for the best rollover behaviour. If you want, you can also use the Canyon Torque as a mullet bike or as before in 27.5-inch get.
By the way: We were able to test the new Torque extensively. You can read how it compares with the best enduro bikes from Rocky Mountain, Cannondale, GT, Scor, Kavenz, Salsa and YT in the high-end enduro test in BIKE 2/2022 - from 4 January at the kiosk, in the app and in the online shop.
The Canyon Torque 2022 at a glance
- Area of application: Enduro, bike park
- Wheel size: 29 inch, Mullet or 27.5 inch
- Aluminium or carbon frame
- 170 millimetres suspension travel (29 inch), 180/175 millimetres (27.5 inch)
- Weights from 14.7 kilograms, aluminium from 16.1 kilograms
- Prices from 2699 euros (aluminium) and 3699 euros (carbon)
Lighter and stiffer: the new Torque frame
With an optimised layup and a modified structure, the new Torque frame aims to achieve the balancing act between lightweight construction and stiffness. Unlike the new Spectral, where frame weight is a higher priority, the Torque continues to prioritise stability.
After all, the bike should be able to withstand many seasons in the bike park. The frame was therefore tested in accordance with the ASTM 5 downhill standard. With this in mind, the weight of 2772 grams for the frame without shock is decent - the new 29er frame actually weighs around 150 grams less than its predecessor in 27.5 inches (BIKE measured value). However, the frame is our measurements in the BIKE test lab The tyre was also slightly less stiff, but this was not noticeable in practice.
In addition to the carbon frame, the Torque will also be available in aluminium. Thanks to a frame shape specially designed for aluminium, the aluminium frame is also said to have saved 200 grams compared to its predecessor. Despite massive freeride rims with Maxxis double-down tyres and 38 mm forks, the aluminium models are said to weigh a good 16 kilograms without pedals.
Six Torque models for 2022 will be available in total. Four in carbon and two in aluminium. The CF8 (4499 euros) and the Fabio Wibmer model (5499 euros) rely on the wheel mix of 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear. All other models of the new Torque are available in either 27.5 or 29 inches.
Canyon Torque 2022: The models
- Torque 5 (2699 euros): Aluminium frame, Rockshox Zeb Select and Super Deluxe Select+, Shimano Deore drivetrain and brakes. From 16.4 kilograms
- Torque 6 (3199 euros): Aluminium frame, Fox 38 and Float X2 Performance, SLX drivetrain and brakes, FR 2070 wheels. From 16.1 kilograms.
- Torque CF 7 (3699 euros): Carbon frame, Rockshox Zeb and Super Deluxe Select Plus, GX drivetrain, Code R brakes. From 15.5 kilograms.
- Torque CF 8 (4499 Euro) Mullet: Carbon frame, Fox 38 and DHX2 Performance-Elite, XT drivetrain and brakes, DT-Swiss FR 560 rims with 350 hubs. From 15.8 kilograms.
- Torque CF Fabio Wibmer (5499 euros) Mullet: Carbon frame, Öhlins RXF 38 with TTX22M, Sram X01 drivetrain, Magura Mt7, DT-Swiss FR 560 rims with 350 hubs. From 15.6 kilograms.
- Torque CF 9 (5799 euros): Carbon frame, Fox 38 and Float X2 Factory, XTR drivetrain and brakes, DT-Swiss FR 560 rims with 240 hubs. From 14.7 kilograms.
Flat and progressive: geometry and kinematics of the Canyon Torque 2022
With a head angle of 63.1 degrees in the low flip-chip setting, our 29-inch size L test bike is one of the slackest bikes we've ever tested. Flichip? That's right, because the new Torque not only comes with large wheels for the first time, but also has the option to quickly adjust the geometry in the shock linkage. At least on the carbon model. This means that the long and flat geometry can be tamed a little if necessary.
At 488 millimetres, the reach of the bike is three centimetres longer than its predecessor. Thanks to the steep seat angle of 78.1 or 78.6 degrees, you still sit rather compactly, while the chainstays of 440 millimetres harmonise well with the longer front. If you prefer the rear a little shorter, you should opt for a bike with a small rear wheel. Overall, the Torque has become longer as a result of the redesign, which is only partly due to the larger wheels of our 2022 test bike.
The Canyon engineers have also slightly revised the kinematics so that the bike does justice to the smoother geometry. The rear suspension should now be slightly more progressive so that there are more reserves for high speeds, big jumps and deep drops. Thanks to the higher anti-squat value in the first half of the suspension travel, the new Torque should also pedal more efficiently than its predecessor.
Canyon Torque 2022: First ride impressions of the park enduro bike
In practice, the Canyon is above all approachable and uncomplicated. Despite its length, you quickly feel comfortable on the Koblenz freerider and can leave the brakes fully open after only a short familiarisation period. Thanks to the low bottom bracket, you feel well integrated on the bike, the suspension is impressive and smooths out even large bumps with ease.
Find out how the new Torque compares to the best MTB enduro bikes from Rocky Mountain, Cannondale, GT, Scor, Kavenz, Salsa and YT in the big high-end enduro test in BIKE 2/2022.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
