CANYON LUX TRAIL CF 8

£5,205.98 (inc. P&P) Downcountry’s shining light?

Canyon’s Lux Trail joins the ever-growing ranks of ‘downcountry’ bikes that sit at the crossroads of XC and trail riding. This 110mm-travel machine is aimed at riders wanting a fast bike that can tackle a mix of trails, or racers looking for more confidence-inspiring handling.

THE FRAME

As the CF in the name suggests, carbon fibre is used throughout the front and rear triangles. It’s a distinctly ‘Canyon’-looking bike that shares the same design DNA found throughout their MTB range, with lines that flow from front to rear. The Lux has a single main pivot, paired with flexible seatstays (instead of a secondary pivot on the chainstays) and a rocker link to actuate the shock.

There are mounts inside the front triangle for a pair of 750mm bottles.

Other finishing touches – including a small chain guide, chainstay protection, access to most of the pivots from the non-drive side and a top tube block to prevent the fork crown or handlebar hitting the frame – show good attention to detail.

THE KIT

RockShox’s new SID fork with its sturdy 35mm stanchions has become pretty much synonymous with the term ‘downcountry’. This Select+ model uses their Charger 2 RL damper. Instead of the SIDLuxe shock we often see paired with this fork, Canyon spec a RockShox Deluxe Ultimate. Both fork and shock have a lockout, controlled via an on-bar TwistLoc remote. This is tidier than a lever-based system and allows for easier integration of a dropper-post remote. SRAM’s GX Eagle AXS wireless groupset provides light, reliable and quick shifting, and you get a carbon fibre crank upgrade. The DT Swiss wheels are carbon-rimmed, too, with a broad profile that provides the Maxxis tyres with plenty of support.

THE RIDE

The Canyon’s XC-focused suspension feels direct and efficient. There’s a fairly dramatic turn of speed when you stamp on the cranks, thanks to the linkage’s stability under power and the Rekon Race rear tyre’s low rolling resistance. This meant we rarely used the lockout. The Deluxe shock adds a little extra suppleness over small bumps, aiding climbing performance, although on chunkier terrain, the firm rear end means the Lux Trail lurches a little more over steps than some other downcountry bikes and it’s harder to keep a consistent pedalling rhythm over rougher traverses.

On descents, the general shape of the bike is good, but the tall seat tube and high-feeling front end contribute to make you feel perched over the frame, rather than ‘sat in’ it. The Lux Trail’s extra fork travel and slacker head angle do give you more breathing space over rocks and roots than you get on the standard Lux CF, though. It also feels like it has a little more midstroke support than its XC sibling and eases into the depths of its travel in a more controlled manner, so you’re better able to navigate repeated impacts. With a decent volume and surprisingly effective shoulder blocks, the tyres roll fast yet allow confident cornering, and really shine on groomed trails, although the low tread does get caught out in mud.

All said, there are better trailfocused downcountry bikes out there, but for marathon racing or fast trail centre laps, the Lux Trail is a good shout. Tom Marvin

Fast laps of your local trails or long pedals in the hills suit the Lux Trail best