LUKE’S CANYON STRIVE CFR UNDERDOG £4,799

+ shipping Is the Strive the enduro bike that our tech writer’s been looking for?

When Canyon unleashed their latest Strive in April 2022, it was clear this was an unashamed, full-bore enduro race bike. With up to 160mm of rear-wheel travel, aggressive geometry and a stiff new carbon fibre chassis, it was never meant to be a trail cruiser. So, how has it been to live with, ride in and ride out?

First, the burning question – would I buy my Strive CFR Underdog? Yes. Does that mean I’d recommend it for everyone? Not exactly.

I love its low-slung 330mm bottom bracket height, raked-out 63-degree head angle and sharp-handling 435mm chainstays, which are so well-balanced with the 450mm reach of my small frame that I feel comfortable on any trail. The more steep corners, the better! Canyon have dialled in their suspension, too, and the Shapeshifter mechanism – which lets you adjust travel and geometry on the fly – adds versatility and a more stable pedalling platform on what would otherwise be a heavily descent-focused bike.

Charge hard, and the Strive comes to life. It loves nothing more than being unapologetically thrashed with complete disregard for the rider’s safety. If that sounds like you – it definitely does me! – then the Canyon will be your best friend. However, its stiff frame is less responsive to more delicate inputs, and for those who prefer a less intense trail experience, there are more forgiving options out there.

The build of my Strive has remained pretty consistent throughout the year, with the Shimano XT brakes and drivetrain being well-suited to this workhorse of a bike, the Fox Float X2 Performance shock surviving trips to Whistler and more, and the DT Swiss EX 511 wheels still rolling true (albeit with a freehub ratchet upgrade). I did install my favourite bar and saddle, plus a longer dropper post, as the wild geometry prompted me to size down from my usual medium. The fork has changed from time to time, too, for testing purposes, but most of the spec weathered a year’s worth of abuse without flinching.

This bike is ready to rip if you are, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. I’m sad my time with the Strive is at an end, but I have a ton of fond memories of it.