Field trips through the World Cup may be progressively more technical, but overall you still win (or lose) races on the climbs. So while the revamped Canyon Luxury World Cup has become longer and looser to increase its downhill capabilities, its main goal remains to climb as fast and efficiently as possible.
Built for climbing
Canyon focused many of its efforts on reducing the weight of the Lux of the previous generation. Although this bike is already one of the lightest in the category, Canyon says the new Lux World Cup CFR is 127 g lighter than the current Lux CF SLX, tipping the scales at just 1,535 g (3.38 lbs). ) in a medium size, with hardware, but without paint, shock or rear axle. Grouping the remaining pieces would add 435 g or so.
Details of the Canyon Lux World Cup
Intended use: XC racing Frame weight: 1,535 g (Lux World Cup CFR); 1,925 g (Lux CF World Cup); unpainted medium frame, no shock or axis. Wheel Size: 29 “Length: 100mm Front and Rear Head Tube Angle: 68.5 ° Price: $ 3,999-7,499 / $ 5,349-12,049 AU / € 3,499-7,999 Learn More: canyon.com
Part of the weight loss is due to refined tube shapes and improved carbon fiber types, but now there are also some improved suspension bits. The shock extension is once again made of injection-molded composite material, but instead of the previous forged aluminum tilting link there is a new molded piece of carbon fiber that Canyon says is lighter and stiffer.
As before, Canyon is manufacturing the Lux in two different carbon fiber versions. The Lux World Cup CFR is the flagship model with the top shelf carbon fiber blend, while the Lux CF uses the same mold, but more affordable carbon fiber. This reduces the price, but also increases the weight of the frame to 1,925 g.
However, both Lux versions have the same suspension upgrades. The rear travel is maintained at 100mm, and Canyon attaches to a simple single-pivot design with a shock-powered link and pivot-free seats to minimize weight and flex.
Frame stiffness has reportedly also increased, and despite the lower weight, Canyon says durability has improved. In particular, Canyon says all Lux bikes pass the same Category 3 test standards as their Neuron trail bikes.
But also a more capable descendant
Even by the standards of XC race bikes, the angle of the 70 ° steering tube of the previous Lux was a little too steep for modern tastes and rides, so Canyon has opted for the longer and looser approach to make the new Lux World Cup safer. descendant. However, the updates are not too extreme.
The biggest change is the angle of the steering tube. It is still quite fast at 68.5 °, but this is still a decrease of 1.5 ° compared to the previous version. The reach has also been increased by 15 mm for each of the five frame sizes and the stems have been shortened by 10 mm. To help maintain proper weight balance, the angle of the seat tube has been tilted a modest 0.5 ° (it is still easy to pedal at 75 °) and the rods are 5 mm shorter than before. These shorter timbers also help prevent changes in the range and angle of the steering tube from widening the wheelbase, which grows by a reasonable 16 mm at the average size.
Seat tubes have also been shortened 10mm across the board for better dropper compatibility, and tire clearance has grown to 2.5 “.
Canyon has also made some suspension tweaks. While Canyon says there is the same amount of anti-squaring as before, the slight changes in the leverage curve supposedly add a little more initial sensitivity to smooth the route and also make it easier to use the full route.
However, no one should take anything to suggest that Canyon is going down with the Lux World Cup. These 100mm rear travel are combined with a minimum of 100mm at the front, none of the bikes come factory-fitted with droppers, though they include remote locks for the rear shock absorbers, and the stock bikes are equipped with 2.35 “- wide tires, max.
Currently, this role is played by the Lux Trail, which has a little more suspension travel, a more relaxed frame geometry and a generally reinforced specification. Canyon has not yet announced a new Lux Trail to accompany this new Lux World Cup, but you can be sure it is underway.
Water, water everywhere
Clearly, Canyon has also spent some time sweating the details of the new Lux World Cup.
Suspension pivots have additional seals and the main pivot cartridges are remarkably wide, both of which should extend service intervals, especially for motorists in wetter climates. At the top, the rocker arm of the rocket pivot passes through both bearings to minimize torsion under load, while the clamp-style fasteners should continue to crunch at a glance.
The Lux World Cup CFR models go a step further with standard CeramicSpeed SLT pads on the suspension pivots and headphones. This is not to reduce friction or save watts, however, and the pads are not even ceramic. The strokes and bearing balls are all made of stainless steel, but instead of a typical plastic retainer and conventional grease, the bearing balls are embedded in a solid polymer that is permanently lubricated and helps protect the balls from water infiltration. CeramicSpeed is so confident in its longevity that they even include a lifetime warranty. This is good, as the maintenance of the headphones will be anything but easy in the new Lux World Cup.
Unfortunately, Canyon is all the rage when it comes to cable routing, equipping the Lux World Cup with an internal configuration where the rear brake hose and derailleur housing fit into the frame on the top cover of the headphones. This makes it look clean, of course, but since all the lines go through the top pad of the headphones, this will make even the basic maintenance of the headphones a matter of several hours, as the next two lines will be they must disconnect (and the rear brake bleeds again). ).
In addition, this internal routing is at least fully end-to-end guided.
“Insert a new cable and housing into the back of the bike and it will go straight into the headphones; no fishing or cursing.”
We’ll see.
Just behind the headphones, the steering wheel stop of the Canyon impact protection unit is now more fully embedded in the top tube for a sleeker look, while below is the same ultra-minimalist chain guide that is used in current Lux. And at the back, there’s the handy Quixle Canyon passing shaft, which offers the low profile of a tool shaft, but the comfort of a drop-down handle.
Models and availability
Canyon will offer four Lux World Cup models worldwide, although only two models will be offered in the United States.
The Lux World Cup CFR LTD flagship includes a RockShox SID Ultimate fork and a SID Luxe rear shock absorber (with remote locks), an SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS wireless electronic transmission, DT Swiss XRC1200 carbon wheels, a Canyon carbon rod and a Canyon CP0008 piece. bar and stem combination. The retail price is USD 7,499 / AU $ 12,049 / € 7,999.
The Lux World Cup CFR Team is built on the same frame, but uses a Fox 32 SC Factory fork and a Float DPS Factory rear shock (with remote locks), a Shimano XTR mechanical transmission, DT Swiss XRC1200 carbon wheels and the same stem of Canyon seat. and cabin. The sale price is AU $ 10,549 / € 6,999.
The Lux World Cup CF 7 uses the second level CF level box and is equipped with a Fox 32 SC Performance Elite fork and a Float DPS Performance Elite rear shock absorber (with remote locks), a Shimano XT transmission, Reynolds TR 309/289 carbon wheels and a seatpost, stem and bar Race Face Ride. The retail price is AU $ 6,549 / € 4,299.
Finally, there is the Lux World Cup CF 6, which uses the same suspension and finishing parts as the CF 7, but with a Shimano SLX transmission and DT Swiss XR1900 aluminum wheels for $ 3,999 / $ 5,349 AU / € 3,499 .
Canyon says all new Lux World Cup CF models should be available for immediate order in their respective markets, while CFRs will arrive around August / September. We have an incoming sample from Germany, so stay tuned for a full review over the next few weeks.