Canyon neuron cf 9 sl

FIRST RIDES

The under-the-radar Neuron is Canyon’s best-selling full-sus. To do justice to this versatile all-rounder, they’ve modernised it, with the aim of giving people a better ride.

THE FRAME

This 29in-wheeled trail bike gets a full-carbon frame. Canyon’s proven ‘Triple Phase’ suspension platform (a four-bar Horst-link set-up) dishes out 130mm of rear-wheel travel. The German brand have widened the main pivot to increase rear-end stiffness and improve suspension performance. They’ve also straightened the seat tube, to allow use of longer-drop posts.

Cables are routed through the headset and run through fully-enclosed sleeves inside the frame. There’s a bottle cage mount inside the front triangle, plus Canyon’s ‘Load Bag’, for stashing tools or spares, as well as bolt-on, replaceable down tube and chainstay protection. The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket, Boost hub spacing and a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger.

Our medium test bike had a 455m reach, balanced 440mm chainstays, a trail-friendly 66-degree head angle and a moderate 76-degree effective seat tube angle. Seat tube lengths have been shortened, to 425mm on the medium frame. A BB drop of 38mm should keep the bike planted.

THE KIT

You get great stuff on this 9 SL model, including a top-end, Factoryseries Fox 34 FIT4 fork and Float DPS shock. Another spec highlight is the SRAM Code RSC brakes, with 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors. The drivetrain is a full complement of SRAM GX Eagle AXS wireless kit, and the Neuron rolls on carbon DT Swiss XMC 1501 wheels shod with 29x2.4in Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Wicked Will tyres. Finishing kit includes a stiff Race Face Next 35 carbon bar and Turbine R stem, Canyon’s own G5 dropper post and an Ergon saddle.

THE RIDE

If Canyon were looking to make a mountain bike for the masses, they’ve hit the nail on the head with the new Neuron. Headed uphill on smoother terrain, we set the shock’s climb switch in its middle position, to firm up the rear end without locking it out completely. In this setting, the supple suspension still allowed the rear wheel to track the ground and maintain grip. The Canyon’s