Canyon Inflite AL SLX 6.0 Race | £1,249 | 8.52kg
For 2018 the Canyon Inflite AL became what it originally should have been: a dedicated cross racing machine.
Canyon is known for thinking slightly outside of the box when it comes to its off-road machines — look at the doubledecker handlebar of the Grail for evidence — and without looking too hard at the Inflite AL you can see how it’s slightly different from traditional horizontal top tube cross bikes such as the Cube.
The kink at the end of the top tube on the Inflite is there first because more exposed seatpost allows for a little more flex at the rear end promoting stability and comfort. Second, it maximises space under the top tube for shouldering the bike.
Cube says you should be getting an extra 15 per cent compliance at the rear over a standard horizontal frame and 37mm more shouldering room over a sloping frame — which is a nice idea.
We raced the Canyon Inflite AL at a couple of local cross races and enjoyed our time with it. When battling at the ragged edge of both skill and fitness it amazed with its composure. Of course the tyres can determine much of the feeling and the pressure you run on the day is key but ultimately the frame didn’t feel heavy at a competitive 8.52kg for a complete bike costing £1,249.
As with fellow German brand Cube, Canyon specs Schwalbe X-one tyres which measure 33mm, are tubeless ready and we ran them tubeless at 30psi when racing in dry conditions. To be honest, the claims of rear-end compliance are quite hard to determine in terms of whether it works to help control, but the kink does free up plenty of space to shoulder the bike.
In any case, we think the Canyon is great value and would be a solid purchase for a seasoned racer or a newbie to cyclo-cross.
score 9
SPECIFICATION
Frame: Canyon Inflite SLX Fork: Canyon One One Four Inflite CF disc Groupset: SRAM Apex 1 Wheels: DT Swiss C 1850 Spline DB Tyres: Schwalbe X-one 33mm Contact www.canyon.com