The toughest test for the Torque was on a cycle path not far from the famous Mecki Bar: after a crisp descent along the 601 trail and the Marmitte dei Giganti, I crashed head-on into a racing cyclist at a good 20 kilometres an hour - my protectors and full-face helmet were dangling from my rucksack. My accident report: upper jaw and cheekbone broken, racing bike frame broken, my bike undamaged.
Apart from that, the Canyon has done pretty much everything in the past ten months: Bike park in Leogang, technical and flowing trails on Lake Garda and tours in the foothills of the Alps and in Sardinia. Before the Torque, I was of the opinion that 160 millimetres of travel was enough for me to have real fun. As bikes with more travel were simply too heavy to crank up more than 1000 metres of altitude in a relaxed manner - a misconception. Due to the rainy summer, the Torque got a hefty dose of mud and sludge. In total, six tyres, six sets of brake pads, a chain and a cassette went over the Jordan. The shock and suspension fork managed the test distance without a service and functioned almost as they did on the first day. Small details such as the slightly too narrow handlebars or the 32 mm chainring were the only downsides to the otherwise very well-tuned bike. I don't mind the fork that can't be lowered - a tensioning strap is used on long climbs.
ConclusionWell-balanced chassis with impeccable equipment and take-off qualities. I would take it again.
DEFECTS/CHANGES:
1. tyres changed four times 396, 982, 1910, 2198 km: Favourites Schwalbe Muddy Mary & Big Betty
2. brake pads replaced 418, 982, 1345, 1627, 2101, 2547 km: a total of six times at the rear
3. rear triangle creak 1627 km: Bearing greased & cleaned
4. wear parts renewed 2547 km: Chain and cassette replaced; brakes bled
Web: www.canyon.com
