£8,099 + shipping A true downcountry bike in all but name
Don’t let the ‘Trail’ in the name fool you – that’s just there to separate this bike from Canyon’s Lux World Cup XC rig. This is a top-spec, featherweight, short-travel downcountry bike, complete with carbon fibre frame and wishlist-worthy kit.
THE FRAME
Built from Canyon’s ‘CFR’ carbon, the Lux Trail has onboard storage aplenty, including a down tube cavity, a multi-tool mount under the top tube and space in the front triangle for two water bottles. Cables are routed internally. The single-pivot swingarm doles out 115mm of rear-wheel travel and is connected via flex-stays to a shock-driving rocker link, which gives Canyon control over the kinematics.
Geometry figures cement the Lux Trail firmly in the burly XC/fast trail downcountry category. A cross-country style 67-degree head angle is matched with a steep 76-degree effective seat tube angle, while dimensions are more trail-focused, including, on our large size, a lengthy 480mm reach, a low 612mm stack height and short 435mm chainstays, contributing to a 1,206mm wheelbase.
THE KIT
The top-spec parts on this LTD build create a cohesive feel. You get a 35mm-stanchion RockShox SID Ultimate fork, paired with a SIDLuxe Ultimate shock. SRAM’s 12-speed, wireless XX Eagle AXS Transmission takes care of pedalling, with long 175mm crank arms and a 34t chainring. An AXS Reverb dropper is bolted to an Ergon SM10 Pro saddle, while SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth brakes handle stopping. Carbon DT Swiss XCR 1200 wheels are wrapped in Maxxis Rekon and Rekon Race tyres. Canyon’s CP0037 one-piece bar and stem sits up front.
THE RIDE
When you’re working against gravity, the Lux Trail feels fast and efficient, with every pedal stroke driving it forward. A bar-mounted lever lets you flick the suspension into ‘pedal’ or ‘lock’ mode, stiffening up the fork and shock, and turning the bike from impressively grippy into a firm pedalling platform. While the ‘lock’ mode is best left for smooth tarmac or intense sprints, the ‘pedal’ setting’s usefulness extends to smoother, undulating trails, where it leaves you with enough damping to take the sting out of any bumps.
The bike remains efficient in the ‘open’ setting, with a direct-driving feel, but also a bunch of grip, thanks to the responsive fork and shock. Pedal smoothly and there’s little bob, but push vertically through the cranks, and the suspension dips in and out of its sag point. We th
