The Canyon Strive went into this group test as the reigning champion but its competition has become a lot tougher. Can the former test winner stay at the top with its unique Shapeshifter and versatile handling?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2020
Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 LTD | 160/150 mm | 14.26 kg | € 6,999
It doesn’t get any fancier than this! The Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 LTD is a dream come true for all component fetishists. After offering us the Team version for the last group test, this time Canyon went into the ring with the LTD model. The frame is the same, with 29″ wheels, 150 mm travel at the rear and the Shapeshifter hidden in the rocker link. With it, you can adjust the travel, the kinematics and the geometry of the bike at the push of a button for optimal performance on the climbs as well as descents. Unlike the Team version with 170 mm travel, the LTD version offers only 160 mm travel up front. This is controlled by a FOX 36 Factory fork with the FIT4 damper. We would have preferred the even more sensitive GRIP2 model here, which can be adjusted more precisely to your preferences and terrain while remaining easy to tune thanks to the availability of comprehensive setup guides.
The rest of the componentry is sure to make your palms sweaty. The ENVE M730 rims are a visual highlight and are built up on high-quality Chris King hubs – a combination that you don’t often see on a production bike. However, the rims are very stiff and direct.
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