WORLD-BEATING XC BIKE

Canyon unveil new Lux World Cup race rig

NEED TO KNOW

Canyon have followed up the launch of their Lux Trail ‘downcountry’ bike with the release of a new purebred cross-country race rig, the Lux World Cup. It’s already seen success on the international stage, being piloted to victory at this year’s XC World Cup round in Leogang, Austria, by France’s Loana Lecomte.

On the top-end bikes, the brand’s lightest and stiffest ‘CFR’ (Canyon Factory Racing) carbon fibre construction delivers one of the featheriest full-suspension frames out there, with the medium size weighing a claimed 1,535g (excluding shock, axle and chain guide) – 127g lighter than the previous Lux and in line with competitors such as the Orbea Oiz (1,740g with shock) and Specialized Epic (1,869g with shock). There’s also a secondtier ‘CF’ frame, said to weigh 1,925g and feel slightly less stiff.

Like its predecessor, the Lux uses a ‘flexstay’ suspension design. The rocker link has been revised and hidden beneath the (improved) shock shuttle. Self-lubricating Ceramicspeed bearings are used at all pivots, and in the headset on CFR models, which also get Canyon’s one-piece CP0008 bar/stem. Cables are routed through a proprietary headset cover, while a steerer-stop above the upper bearing reduces the chances of the fork damaging the frame in a crash. Geometry is longer, lower and slacker, if still rather conservative.

WHO’S IT FOR?

XC racers who value speed and efficiency above all else.

KEY STATS

Travel: 100mm front, 100mm rear via a single-pivot rear end with flexstay/linkage-actuated shock

Wheel size: 29in

Frame: ‘CFR’ or ‘CF’ carbon fibre, sizes XS-XL

Geometry: 68.5-degree head angle, 75-degree seat tube angle, 450mm reach (medium), 430mm chainstays

Extras: Space for two 750ml bottles, even on XS

Pricing: £3,149 (CF 6) to £7,599 (World Cup CFR Ltd) + shipping

More info: www.canyon.com

WHEN’S IT AVAILABLE?

Now!