CANYON GRAND CANYON:ON 9
£3,605.98 shipped German brand’s premium motorised hardtail punches above its weight
Canyon’s Grand Canyon:0N 9, like all of their e-bikes, uses a Shimano motor. The EP8 drive unit specced here has more torque and power than the other motors in this test, with three modes (Eco, Trail and Boost). The fat down tube conceals a full-size 630Wh battery, which, if you tune it for economical power usage, will deliver over 100km of range for lighter riders. If you need to remove the powerpack to charge it, you have to undo four Allen bolts, which is a bit of a faff.
THE FRAME
The ON 9 has sophisticated aluminium tube profiles, with huge welds joining slimline rear stays (for increased compliance over rough ground) and a funky oversized seat tube. Its geometry is modern without being radical, with the large frame we tested sporting the longest reach here (455mm). A heavilysloped top tube keeps the frame out of the way on technical terrain and provides room to move about. The Canyon also has a very low bottom bracket height, for a lower centre of gravity and stable rider position.
THE KIT
A dropper post is a welcome sight, with enough travel to suit taller riders. Canyon sensibly spec big 203mm brake rotors front and rear, too, so there’s plenty of stopping power from the sorted Shimano brakes – something that can’t be said of the other two bikes on test. You need decent brakes to slow down the 2.6in Schwalbe tyres, which, although they have lots of cushioning and stability, also have harder rubber than the others here.
This means the blocky tread lasts well, but doesn’t dig in and conform to the ground, so the tyres feel a bit nervous over roots and wet rocks. They also have less traction than you need when you’re in the most powerful motor mode going uphill, where the rear tyre can wheelspin and upset your balance. To be fair, this is more of an issue on the Canyon because it has so much more grunt than its rivals, so you’re riding way faster, with extra torque.
One component that eats into the power is the Shimano STEPS cranks. Even when seated, they twist and contort under power when using big flat pedals that exert a lot of leverage. Heavy riders will want to swap them out (a relatively easy and inexpensive job). Everything else is totally sorted. The 120mm-travel Fox 34 Rhythm fork works great and you wouldn’t want any
more bounce upsetting the shape and balance of a hardtail.
THE RIDE
This bike felt like the test winner the moment we slung a leg over it. It’s rapid and has the best geometry, which makes you feel planted and stable, without pedal strikes becoming an issue on lumpy ground. With its balanced head angle, wide bar and short stem, there’s a precise and reactive (yet not too eager) feel to the steering. Lean the bike and you change direction smoothly, and it’s easy to predict the handling, because it never seems to unsettle your position, even if you get airborne. The Canyon rides way more like a ‘proper’ aggressive hardtail than the other two bikes, yet it’s still comfy and well-balanced around town.
The motor is far more powerful than its rivals’, too. You can blast uphill, stream through the smooth 12-speed Shimano gears and always remain in the sweet spot for power delivery, and there’s way more juice to drag a heavy rider up steep hills in the top modes. As you can also tune it for maximum economy in Shimano’s E-Tube app, it brings you the best of both worlds.
Like all e-hardtails, the frame amplifies motor noise, but it does a good job of quietening trail chatter and feels smooth over choppy surfaces. Although the Canyon has a similarly plush Fox fork to the Orbea (and an even steeper head angle), your weight doesn’t get pitched about in at all the same way. In fact, there’s a real calmness if you let the bike rip through bombholes or deep berms.
We did have a major issue when the battery stopped communicating with the motor, but it’s rare that Shimano’s proven system fails, and all e-bikes are fallible. Canyon sent out a new battery, as they would for a customer.
By far the closest ride quality to a ‘proper’ MTB, but versatile enough for urban riding and exploring, too