CANYON EXCEED CF SL 7.0
£2,532 Astounding value, with kit that blows the rest away
Canyon’s online-only ‘direct sales’ model always makes for decent value, but the kit on their XC race frame still shocked us when the bike landed in our workshop. The drawback is that you can’t go to your local shop for a test ride or post-purchase support.
The frame
This version of the Exceed was first seen in 2015, when its shape shone compared to the competition. Now though, its geometry is in-line with all but the Specialized in this test – a reach of 441mm, 69.5-degree head and 73-degree seat angles, and 432mm chainstays. The frame’s carbon construction is smart, with clean lines, concealed cables, protection from chain suck and the brake mount nestled within the rear triangle. A smart pop-out ‘Quixle’ handle makes the rear axle quick and easy to remove.
The kit
For a bit over £2,500, it’s incredible that Canyon have managed to spec Reynolds TR 249 carbon wheels and a RockShox SID fork (with a remote lockout). These are backed up by a triple-compound Maxxis Rekon front tyre and standard Maxxis Aspen at the back, a SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain and Level TL brakes, and Race Face finishing kit. Our only complaint was with the Selle Italia SLS saddle, which we found slippery when putting the power down.
The ride
At 10.38kg the Exceed is the lightest bike on test, with a lot of weight saved in the wheel-and-tyre combo. Combined with a fairly direct-feeling frame, low-rolling-resistance tyres and that traditional geometry, the Canyon is a nippy bike to ride. There’s no lag between pedal inputs and forward motion, with every ounce of effort seemingly going into acceleration. On smooth surfaces, on- and off-road, the Rekon and Aspen tyres roll quickly and quietly. Their skinny treads do give up grip in loose or slippery conditions though, demanding sharp handling skills to correct losses of traction.
RockShox’s SID fork is a classic in XC circles, and for good reason. The chassis offers the stiffness needed on such a bike, and the damper delivers great feel and control. You get an on-bar lockout, which feels snappier than the Fox equivalent on the Cube (pushing the lever forward to firm up the fork feels more intuitive than releasing cable tension to do so). The fork comes with RockShox’s Torque Cap dropouts, designed for use with wider-diameter hub endcaps. Many wheels (including these) don’t have Torque Caps, so threading
THE CANYON IS A SHARP HANDLING BIKE, ESPECIALLY ON TIGHT, TWISTY TRAILS. WITH THE FORK OFFERING DECENT CONTROL AND THE WHEELS SPINNING UP TO SPEED QUICKLY, IT THRIVES BETWEEN THE TREES AND PICKING LINES
the axle through the fork and hub is a slower process.
Carbon wheels add cachet and help reduce weight. They enhance the bike’s reactive personality, and contribute to an aggressive overall feel. However, the Canyon’s front end feels a touch harsher than the others here and we think this is likely due to the wheels. We ran the tyres a touch softer than on the other bikes to offset this, although you can’t reduce pressures too far without affecting tyre stability under load. Mirroring this aggressive nature is the 34t ring on the GX Eagle drivetrain. Clearly, Canyon want you to be pushing big watts and high speeds on the Exceed. Compared to the XT drivetrains on the Merida and Cube, GX feels a touch clunkier. The dual-release click of the XT shifter also helps you move the chain up the block faster, which could make a difference in a race.
The Canyon is a sharp-handling bike, especially on tight, twisty trails.
With the fork offering decent control and the wheels spinning up to speed quickly, it thrives between the trees and picking accurate lines around and over rocks. On rough, flat-out tracks, the traditional shape and stiff hoops lead to a fairly skittery ride, albeit not one that’s out of control. It just doesn’t have quite the same planted feel as the Specialized or Merida. Score-wise, the Exceed matches the Epic Hardtail thanks to its top-end kit. While not groundbreaking in its approach, it won’t hold you back on anything but the most technical XC courses.
A fast-handling bike that’s exceptionally good value, but is best suited to tight, twisty tracks