CANYON LUX TRAIL CFR LTD
£8,099 + shipping A true downcountry bike in all but name
Don’t let the ‘Trail’ in the name fool you – that’s just there to separate this bike from Canyon’s Lux World Cup XC rig. This is a top-spec, featherweight, short-travel downcountry bike, complete with carbon fibre frame and wishlist-worthy kit.
THE FRAME
Built from Canyon’s ‘CFR’ carbon, the Lux Trail has onboard storage aplenty, including a down tube cavity, a multitool mount under the top tube and space in the front triangle for two water bottles. Cables are routed internally. The single-pivot swingarm doles out 115mm of rear-wheel travel and is connected via flex-stays to a shockdriving rocker link, which gives Canyon control over the kinematics.
Geometry figures cement the Lux Trail firmly in the burly XC/fast trail downcountry category. A crosscountry style 67-degree head angle is matched with a steep 76-degree effective seat tube angle, while dimensions are more trail-focused, including, on our large size, a lengthy 480mm reach, a low 612mm stack height and short 435mm chainstays, contributing to a 1,206mm wheelbase.
THE KIT
The top-spec parts on this LTD build create a cohesive feel. You get a 35mmstanchion RockShox SID Ultimate fork, paired with a SIDLuxe Ultimate shock. SRAM’s 12-speed, wireless XX Eagle AXS Transmission takes care of pedalling, with long 175mm crank arms and a 34t chainring. An AXS Reverb dropper is bolted to an Ergon SM10 Pro saddle, while SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth brakes handle stopping. Carbon DT Swiss XCR 1200 wheels are wrapped in Maxxis Rekon and Rekon Race tyres. Canyon’s CP0037 one-piece bar and stem sits up front.
THE RIDE
When you’re working against gravity, the Lux Trail feels fast and efficient, with every pedal stroke driving it forward. A bar-mounted lever lets you flick the suspension into ‘pedal’ or ‘lock’ mode, stiffening up the fork and shock, and turning the bike from impressively grippy into a firm pedalling platform. While the ‘lock’ mode is best left for smooth tarmac or intense sprints, the ‘pedal’ setting’s usefulness extends to smoother, undulating trails, where it leaves you with enough damping to take the sting out of any bumps.
The bike remains efficient in the ‘open’ setting, with a direct-driving feel, but also a bunch of grip, thanks to the responsive fork and shock. Pedal smoothly and there’s little bob, but push vertically through the cranks, and the suspension dips in and out of its sag point. We think the extra comfort and traction is worth the small efficiency loss, though. Ploughing into big rocks reminds you that this is a short-travel downcountry bike rather than a mid-travel trail machine. When the bumps start to come thick and fast, the suspension can’t keep up, although this is no more of an issue than on other bikes with similar travel.
Thanks to the roomy top tube, there’s space to move around when
seated. The steep seat boosts pedalling efficiency and climbing comfort, while the low stack swings the rider position convincingly towards attack mode. In true XC style, digging deep with your body low is where the Lux Trail feels best. However, angled up the steepest inclines, you’ll be begging for longer chainstays and grippier rear rubber to reduce tyre slip. The fixed geometry of Canyon’s all-in-one bar and stem won’t please everyone, either.
The Lux Trail’s descending capability is impressive for a short-travel bike, but you’ll need to bring your A-game to tap into it. As on the uphills, the suspension creates a smooth ride, with the shock ramping up progressively as you get deeper into the travel. It’s possible to weave lines down chunky terrain with precision, and loading the bike into undulations propels you into the air.
The SID fork’s 35mm upper tubes help it steer accurately and precisely, bolstering the bike’s confidenceinspiring feel. However, limits are exposed elsewhere. The tyres, while great for nipping along hard doubletrack or trail centre surfaces, lack grip when the ground deteriorates.
A bike like this doesn’t need DH-spec rubber, but many riders would benefit from the chunkier tread and more reassuring grip of a front tyre such as a Maxxis Ardent, which wouldn’t add too much rolling resistance or weight.
Also, while the geometry is progressive in some respects, it’s not perfect. The short rear end places more mass over the back wheel than the front, reducing front-end grip, unless you move your body to compensate. Gee yourself up to maintain an aggressive, over-the-front stance and the issue evaporates, returning full control.
With capabilities that outstrip its headline figures, the Canyon’s geometry and suspension combine to create a versatile and fun-to-ride bike, regardless of whether you’re looking for outright XC speed, descending performance or all-day comfort. Alex
Lightweight and ready to race, the Lux Trail can also tackle gnarly terrain