Canyon Lux SL 6.0 Pro Race test

THE 2019 CANYON LUX IS A LATEST GENERATION XC FULL. WE HAD A WAY TO TEST IT DURING THE RECENT SARDINIA RALLY. ENTIRELY REVISED IN GEOMETRY AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS, IT HAS STANDARD 29 ”WHEELS WITH EXCURSION OF 110MM FRONT AND 100MM REAR.

The renewed Canyon Lux presents itself with some very interesting features. The heart of this MTB is undoubtedly the new Triple Phase Suspension shock absorber scheme which gives it a look, and a behavior, excellent despite the excursion of only 100mm. The geometries remain moderately classic, aiming at the pedaled rather than downhill aspect, with a fork that drops to 100mm in the 2 top-of-the-range SLX models which then closes the steering angle by half a degree to make the saddle angle more vertical, transforming the Lux into a real foal.

FEATURES

The shock link has been revised with a weight-saving full carbon construction. We find the Impact Protection Unit system, which blocks the steering in the event of a fall and prevents damage to the top tube, and the Quixle rear quick release (minimal design always for the weight). The cable routing is internal. The shock absorbing pattern can be defined as an assisted mono-ox where, in fact, there are no joints and the flexibility of carbon is used, as in other models. The excursion is 100mm.

VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS

The Canyon Lux presents itself to the public with 6 different mountings, all with carbon frame (available as a kit for € 2.499). The starting point is the Lux CF SLX 6.0 Pro Race in testing for € 2.599: SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed gearbox with RockShox suspension (Reba at the front and Deluxe RLR). Going up you pass to the CF SL 7.0 RACE (€ 2.999) and to the CL SL 8.0 PRO RACE (€ 3.699), perhaps the one with a better quality / price ratio, also considering the telescopic in the price. Just above, at € 4.599, is the CL SL 8.0 RACE TEAM with Shimano XTR 12v gearbox, DT Swiss carbon wheels, Fox suspension, carbon handlebar and KS Lev SI dropper post. The last 2 models, with the name SLX instead of SL, have more racing geometries, with a 100mm fork (instead of 110mm) which therefore slightly closes the steering angle and makes the seat tube more vertical (in the order of half a degree). The weight is also less in the CLX (1662gr against the SL's 1852gr). Weights without shock absorber. Prices? The CLX SL 9.0 PRO RACE is offered at € 5.599 while the top of the range CLX SL 9.0 RACE TEAM at € 5.999, also used by the phenomenon Mathieu Van Der Poel.

GEOMETRY

The new Lux has undergone a restyling especially in the reach, now 20mm longer in the various models. The rear stay has also been shortened (15mm) while the steering angle and saddle maintain almost the same values ​​as the old version. In fact, now the steering angle is 69,5 ° (70 ° in the SLX model), values ​​that match the Canyon front Exceed, demonstrating how the Lux wants to be a very performing XC and can be easily mistaken for the opportunity with the Exceed (think of the athletes of the official teams).

Sizes S, M, L (test), XL
Steering angle 69,5°
Vertical tube 505 mm
Head tube 115 mm
Rear wagon 435 mm
Wheelbase 1154 mm
Bottom bracket height 345 mm
Reach 450 mm
Stack (Height) 608 mm

THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST

The Canyon Lux also demonstrates on the field, and not only on the theoretical level, its qualities in pedaling that make it an excellent Full racing. While other full bikes have gone towards more open geometries, the Canyon remains on a closed steering angle combined with an abundant reach, this to maintain the qualities of agility and smoothness at the highest levels without sacrificing too much stability. And these sensations I had on the SL model so I imagine that on the SLX these aspects stand out even more. The RockShox remote control blocks both the fork and the shock absorber, an aspect that is very useful in a competitive environment and I was able to appreciate its advantages during the Rally di Sardegna. With the lockout closed, the new Lux is really firm, thanks to the suspension settings but also to the rigidity of the frame. A pleasure even on asphalted climbs. Too bad the lack of an intermediate position, very useful on technical climbs or bumpy pedaled sections, in fact the closed position is very extreme and difficult to exploit on slightly rough dirt roads while the open position, however good the qualities of the Lux on the pedal are always open. The front crown is quite demanding: with the 34 I managed to tackle a demanding race like the Sardinian rally but sometimes a 32 would have been useful. I kept the sag values ​​low enough not to risk continuous bottom-out: the fork at 15% (then solved with 2 tokens and increasing the sag) while the shock absorber at 20%. Sore point for the gearbox, entrusted to the SRAM Grip Shift system. I have not really found myself: inaccurate and very noisy. Shifting always seems to arrive late and even precision, thanks to bad weather, is lacking. Downhill the Canyon Lux behaves well: the 69,5 ° of steering angle seem few but not only the steering angle is experienced and in fact the Lux allows you to descend well without unexpected behavior or geometric limits. The rear cushioning scheme behaves very well and with a sag at 20% it is possible to exploit it in full without violent bottom-out. Certainly, in the XC segment, there are some more stable and safer bikes downhill, but with the right technique the Lux remains a very stable bike that then gives us everything back with the interests in the more guided sections or in the relaunches. Even the not too wide handlebar allows a not exaggerated posture and is perfect for long distance marathons. The possibility of being able to insert a second bottle cage (even 800ml) is not to be underestimated. The frame is very rigid and reactive with a build quality that can be perceived by the small details, such as the well-kept link, the metal plate to protect the frame near the crankset, chain guard or the protection to prevent the handlebar from impacting against the top tube . The stem is 80mm: at the limit to have a good driveability, maybe a few cm less would not be damaged but it is not a deficit and, overall, it can be ridden well. it is concrete: excellent climbing skills, thanks also to the weight of the frame well below 2kg, and good downhill skills.

Weight (without pedals) 11,9kg
Fork ROCKSHOX Reba RL 100mm boost
Shock absorber ROCKSHOX Deluxe RLR
wheels DT SWISS X1900 SPLINE DB, 25mm channel
Service MAXXIS Ardent Race (front) and MAXXIS Ikon (rear), 3C Maxxspeed compound, 29 × 2.20 "
Rolling mill chocks TRUVATIV Stylo 6K Dub (34d)
Rear gearbox SRAM NX 12v
commands SRAM NX Eagle Grip Shift, 12s
Brakes SRAM Level TL
Buy Boxes SRAM XG-1230 Eagle 12s
Headset CANYON | ACROS
Connection CANYON Iridium (80mm)
dumbbell CANYON Iridium Flatbar (720mm)
seatpost CANYON Iridium
Sella SADDLE ITALIA X1
Colour Attack Black (test) | Radical Red

Verdict

FULL-SUSPENSION READY TO RACE
If you love front bikes but occasionally think about full bikes, or you want to try them but you're afraid of losing too many watts, the new Canyon Lux could do just the thing for you: not exasperated geometries and 100mm at the rear which, thanks to the use of flexion of the carbon, make it very sustained and easy to pedal. Excellent for marathons but also for i cross country more technical.