The Canyon Torque AL 6.0 is a rubbish enduro bike. There it is, we’ve said it. It’s slower than most of the bikes in this test on enduro trails and climbing is a real ordeal. So why is it that every tester loved it?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: What’s the best 2020 Enduro Bike under € 3,500 – 9 mountain bikes in review
€ 2,799 | Manufacturer’s website
The Canyon Torque AL 6.0 in detail
The Canyon Torque is a hard bike to categorise. With 180/175 mm travel, it’s knocking loudly on the door of downhill bikes while the geometry and single crown fork put it back into enduro territory. If we had to place it, we would have to whisper cautiously… freeride… Shhh, you didn’t hear it from us. It’s a heavy bike at 15.8 kg but it comes with an amazing build kit given it’s €2,799 price tag. Fitted on the burly 6061 frame is a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT shock, huge 180 mm RockShox Lyrik Select fork, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and SRAM CODE R brakes. The budget but tough, DT Swiss E 1900 wheels with 30 mm internal width rims are shod with the popular MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4” tires in the lighter EXO casing. The bike is finished off with a RaceFace Chester 20 mm riserbar and Iridium dropper.
The long 250 x 70mm Super Deluxe shock uses low pressure (160 psi for our 80kg tester) and feels like it isn’t being stressed by even the flattest of landings.
The high 636 mm stack positions you more upright behind the huge fork. It’s a position that feels very confidence inspiring, but isn’t the most aggressive.
The suspension of the Canyon Torque is highly progressive, ramping up firmly to help the shock deal with the force of a bad landing.
Canyon Torque AL 6.0
€ 2,799
Specifications
Fork RockShox Lyrik Select 180 mm
Rear Shock Super Deluxe Select+ RT 175 mm
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 150 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE R 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 1x12
Stem Race Face Chester 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Chester Riserbar 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss E 1900 27.5"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XL
Weight 15.8 kg
Specific Features
We love the Cable Tunnel, routing the cables under a cover for a stealth internal look while avoiding the need to bleed the rear brake.
The big 180 mm RockShox Lyrik Select fork has a stiff chassis, and does not suffer from undue flex, even with its huge length.
SRAM CODE R’s are a welcome addition on a bike costing € 2,799. They miss out on the Swing Link of the CODE RSC, but provide ample braking power. P.S. The G5 moto grips are the bomb too.
Geometry of the Canyon Torque AL 6.0
The size large as tested is recommended for riders between 178–186 cm. Taking into account the huge travel, the bike is quite compact with a 460 mm reach and 1219 mm wheelbase, the joint shortest on test. The seat tube angle is decidedly old school at 74° and is paired with ultrashort 428 mm chainstays. The high 636 mm stack (23 mm taller than the other 27.5” bike, the Merida) and low 15 mm bottom bracket drop result in the iconic upright Canyon rider stance that will be familiar to Spectral and Strive owners.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm | 500 mm | Top tube | 571 mm | 597 mm | 620 mm | 642 mm | 665 mm |
| Steuerrohr | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 145 mm |
| Head angle | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° |
| Seat angle | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° |
| Chainstays | 428 mm | 428 mm | 428 mm | 428 mm | 428 mm |
| BB Drop | 15 mm | 15 mm | 15 mm | 15 mm | 15 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,147 mm | 1,171 mm | 1,195 mm | 1,219 mm | 1,243 mm |
| Reach | 400 mm | 420 mm | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm |
| Stack | 609 mm | 618 mm | 627 mm | 636 mm | 645 mm |
Yes, the Canyon Torque is slower on the climbs and slower on the descents, but if you are facing a huge Morzine gap, or planning a two week bike park trip, it’s the bike we would pick everytime.
Huck for your life – the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 on the trail
So let’s get this out of the way right now. The Canyon Torque is not a very good climber. As soon as you roll to the first uphill, the compact dimensions (it feels a size smaller than the rest of the bikes on test) and 74° seat angle throw you over the back of the bike. The heavy 15.8 kg weight and inefficient rider position steal energy from your legs and the Torque makes it way up the hill with the enthusiasm of a lazy dog. It’s not a terrible climber but it sits at the back of the pack in this group test. Downhill too, the Canyon Torque is in a league of its own. Not because it’s hugely stable at holding a line or because it’s massively fast, but because it isn’t.
Instead, the Canyon Torque is a polite two fingers up to the, “It has to be fast to be good brigade”. The Torque is about just one thing – hooligan fun. The compact dimensions and huge travel will be a match made in heaven for some riders. The supportive kinematics and ultra short, flickable chainstays quickly get you into wild shapes, before the huge amount of travel drags you back to safety. No landing is too sideways, big cases don’t matter when you have almost 180 mm of travel and the chuckable dimensions love an inside line through a corner.
Most at home smashing laps of booters at the bike park, the Torque’s handling is sharp and direct, while the highly progressive suspension offers up ample support for launching the bike into the air at every opportunity. With an immersive upright riding position, your confidence skyrockets. The big RockShox Lyrik Select fork chassis is stiff enough to manage the huge 180 mm travel and pairs well with the long 250 x 70mm Super Deluxe shock, which feels like it’s hardly breaking a sweat even on the biggest hits. With a super-progressive leverage curve, it would take a true madman to bottom out the shock. The DT Swiss E 1900 wheelset is tough and lighter than other ‘budget’ offerings on the market. A bike like this should be running thicker Double Down sidewalls though, at the very least on the rear. Overall, the Canyon Torque will suit riders who already know that they want it. It’s not a, “Should I buy a Torque or an X?” kind of bike. It’s more a “I need a bike like a Torque so I can go bigger on the gaps” kind of bike. It’s certainly not for everyone, and in this group test it loses marks as it’s neither super fast downhill nor comfortable on the climbs. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad bike by any means – it’s just a specialist bike for a specialised use.
How does the Canyon Torque compare to the other bikes in this test?
A bit like comparing apples and pears, the Canyon may seem an odd choice for this test. It’s certainly slower down an enduro race stage than the Nukeproof Mega, Privateer 161 or YT Capra, and less planted than the Giant Reign and Ibis Ripmo. However if you’re the sort of rider who loves going sideways as much as forwards and still have the outline of last year’s bike park season pass in your shorts pocket, the Canyon Torque is a total bargain.
Tuning tips: fit a Double Down sidewall tire to the rear | buy a season lift pas
Conclusion
While the Canyon Torque may not be the best enduro bike, as a play bike or a bike park toy, it’s awesome. If you measure your rides in whips and fist bumps and don’t give a shit about stage times, then it will be right up your street. The Canyon Torque AL 6.0 is best for riders who live near a bike park or have a shuttle company not too far away. With the Torque, Canyon are keeping freeride alive.
Tops
- progressive suspension perfect for its intended use
- agile and playful in the air
- awesome bargain-basement price build kit
Flops
- lazy climber
- needs a tougher rear tire
For more info head to: canyon.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: What’s the best 2020 Enduro Bike under € 3,500 – 9 mountain bikes in review
All bikes in test: Canyon Torque AL 6.0 | GIANT Reign SX 29 (Click for review) | Ibis Ripmo AF Coil (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 700 (Click for review) | Nukeproof Mega 290 Expert (Click for review) | Privateer 161 (Click for review) | Propain Tyee CF (Click for review) | Trek Slash 8 29 (Click for review) | YT Capra Comp 29 (Click for review)
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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey, Finlay Anderson
