Issue #032, Review - February 27, 2018

Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Review

For a long time now forums have been buzzing with guesses and speculation: when will Canyon release a successor to the current Strive? Its two siblings, the Spectral and Torque, have already been fundamentally reworked. The Strive, however, only received a minor facelift for the new year – but this test shows it’s far from being outdated.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The Crème de la Crème – Nine high-end enduro bikes of 2018 in comparison

**Canyon Strive CF 9.0**
170/160 mm (f/r) | 13.15 kg | € 4,999

Although the Strive has been part of Canyon’s portfolio for some time now, the bike is anything but outdated – both visually and technically. On the contrary, initial teething problems have now been eliminated, and the bike is riding better than ever. For the new season, Canyon has updated the components and installed a FOX FLOAT DPX2 shock at the rear. For a price of € 4,999 Canyon specs only the finest components. A SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain makes bikers’ hearts beat faster, just as the FOX 36 Factory fork and the Renthal carbon cockpit does. As standard, Canyon mounts the Reverb Remote on the right side of the handlebar, but we recommend placing it on the left beneath the Shapeshifter. That way you have both remotes under control, allowing you to react quickly before climbs.

**Helmet** SCOTT Vivo PLUS | **Glasses** 100% Speedcraft | **Jersey** Fox FLEXAIR | **Shorts** Fox FLEXAIR | **Knee pads** IXS Flow Knee |

Anything but old-fashioned, the Strive cuts a very fine figure in this group test!

Speaking of the Shapeshifter: activating it via the remote on the handlebar reduces the rear end travel to 130 mm while simultaneously steepening the head angle. On climbs, you’re placed centrally on the Strive in a comfortable position to put a lot of pressure on the pedals. The suspension is very resistant to pedal bob, and in combination with the low weight of 13.15 kg, the Strive scoots uphill briskly. Despite the high cockpit, the front wheel stays on the ground, and even steep, technical sections can be mastered with ease. Heading downhill, it is precisely this high front, coupled with a low bottom bracket and the long frame, that instills the rider with confidence. You are super-integrated into the bike, making it effortless to drive the rear wheel through tight turns. In corners, the Strive requires an active riding style due to the short rear end (423 mm chainstays), but then rewards the rider with a high degree of agility. The rear linkage works very well with the FOX DPX2 and feels much plusher than with other shocks used in recent years. This provides an extra portion of traction and smoothness. Nevertheless, the bike feels very defined and never leaves the rider in the dark as to what is going on with the trail beneath him. On the dry, rocky test trails the rear Minion SS tire worked well; as an all-rounder for the whole year, however, it’s too specialised.

The Canyon Strive CF 9.0 in detail

Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory 170 mm
Rear shock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Factory 165/135 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RSC 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost RockShox Reverb 150 mm
Stem Rentahl Apex 40 mm
Handlebar Rentahl Fat Bar 780 mm
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4″ / SS 2.3″
Wheelset DT Swiss EX 1501 Spline One
Weight 13.15 kg
Price € 4,999

Der Hinterbau im Canyon Strive funktioniert besser denn je mit dem FOX DPX2. — **Better than ever**
The rear suspension has become even more sensitive and defined with the FOX DPX2. It’s smooth over small bumps and absorbs bigger blows effectively.

**Switch sides**
Canyon mounts the Reverb remote on the right-hand side so that you can get used to the Shapeshifter. We recommend mounting it on the left side beneath the Shapeshifter after a few rides.

**Too specialised**
The MAXXIS Minion SS was convincing on the dry, rocky test trails. As an all-rounder for the whole year, however, it’s too specialised.

**A league of its own**
The 170mm FOX 36 FLOAT Factory suspension fork is in a class of its own. It offers defined performance while remaining sensitive and is currently the benchmark for enduro forks.

The geometry of the Canyon Strive

Size	XS	S	M	L	Xl
Seat tube	388 mm	430 mm	430 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	576 mm	600 mm	629 mm	648 mm	658 mm
Head tube	95 mm	115 mm	125 mm	135 mm	155 mm
Head angle	66° (+1.5°)	66° (+1.5°)	66° (+1.5°)	66° (+1.5°)	66° (+1.5°)
Seat angle	73.5° (+1.5°)	73.5° (+1.5°)	73.5° (+1.5°)	73.5° (+1.5°)	73.5° (+1.5°)
Chainstays	423 mm	423 mm	423 mm	423 mm	423 mm
BB High	340 (+19) mm	340 (+19) mm	340 (+19) mm	340 (+19) mm	340 (+19) mm
Wheelbase	1132 mm	1158 mm	1188 mm	1207 mm	1240 mm
Reach	402 mm	422 mm	448 mm	468 mm	487 mm
Stack	592 mm	606 mm	615 mm	627 mm	643 mm

Conclusion

The Canyon Strive CF 9.0 is better than ever and remains a great all-rounder. It climbs efficiently and shreds downhill while being a tremendous amount of fun to ride. The mix of agility and smoothness is just as successful as the performance of the rear linkage. But beware: this bike requires an engaged riding style to tease out its full potential.