With the Canyon Strive CFR, the German direct-to-consumer brand secured the coveted Best Buy Tip in last year’s group test. That was reason enough for us to give the popular Strive another go. Did Canyon make it onto the podium this time with the LTD version of the Strive?

Canyon Strive CFR LTD | 170/160 mm (f/r)
16.1 kg in size M | € 6,999 | Manufacturer’s website

We have already put the Canyon Strive CFR through the wringer back in our 2023 enduro comparison test, where it secured the coveted Best Buy award. This year, Canyon entered the race with the Strive LTD variant, the mid-range model in the Strive lineup. As usual, the German enduro bruiser rolls on 29” wheels, generating 170/160 mm of travel at the front and rear. The Strive’s most striking feature is the Shapeshifter system, which relies on a gas piston to shift the position of the shock mount on the rocker link, allowing you to alter the geometry and rear suspension kinematics at the push of a button. In a nutshell, the system reduces the rear travel from 160 mm to 140 mm, enabling a more upright, efficient pedalling position. Our Strive CFR LTD test bike retails at € 6,999 and weighs 16.1 kg in size M, which is only 200 grams more than average in this comparison test.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test

The 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD in detail

The Strive CFR LTD is available in two different colours: you can choose between the “Collab” finish of our test bike, or a more discreet “Underdog Black”. A down tube protector shields the carbon frame against stray rocks, while a generously sized chainstay protector reliably prevents chain slap and paint chips. The cables are routed internally and are securely clamped at the ports. The frame features both a bottle cage mount on the down tube and a tool mount on the underside of the top tube, allowing you to secure a water bottle and all your trail essentials directly to the frame. Unlike six of the 13 manufacturers in this test, Canyon forgo a storage compartment in the down tube, providing the Strive with a small tool bag on the tool mount instead, which offers enough room to stow away a spare inner tube, tire levers or a multitool.

Doctor Uphill and Mister Strive
The Shapeshifter of the Strive CFR LTD relies on a gas piston to shift the position of the shock mount on the rocker link, allowing you to reduce the travel by 20 mm, from 160 mm to 140 mm.
Around and around!
The rotating headset cups allow you to alter the reach and wheelbase of the Strive by +/- 5 mm.

The spec of the 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD

The Strive LTD is the only model variant in the Strive range to rely on RockShox suspension. This consists of a ZEB Ultimate fork and a matching Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil shock. The fork employs the top-tier Charger 3 damper, which offers countless adjustment options. The coil shock, on the other hand, comes standard with a predefined spring rate, which means that you’ll have to change the spring if the set rate doesn’t match your weight or riding style. That said, the Shapeshifter makes it a little harder to swap the spring. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors do stopping duties. Although the old CODE brakes don’t position the lever body and brake lines as close to the handlebars as the new CODE Ultimates, they offer the same brake feel with less cable rattle.

Reduced
Canyon’s G5 dropper post can be reduced in travel by up to 25 mm, in 5 mm increments. However, at 170 mm of travel, it’s simply too short for a modern enduro bike.
Everything you need
The small tool bag at the bottom of the top tube has enough room for all your trail essentials.
Good combination
The MAXXIS ASSEGAI front tire in the soft MaxxGrip compound is an excellent choice, providing more grip and control at the front.

SRAM also supply the electronic, 12-speed XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which delivers butter-smooth shifting even under load. A sturdy bash guard protects the chainring from impacts. For the rest of the spec, Canyon rely on in-house components, combining an alloy stem with an 800 mm Canyon G5 alloy handlebar and G5 dropper post. With just 170 mm of travel, the latter is far too short, restricting freedom of movement on the trail. The travel of the dropper can be decreased by up to 25 mm in 5 mm increments, if it isn’t short enough for you already. The Strive CFR LTD 2024 rolls on a robust 29″ DT Swiss wheelset, with EX 511 rims and 240 hubs. The rims are paired with MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the soft, grippy MaxxGrip compound at the front and a MAXXIS Minion DHR II in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound at the rear. Both tires come in the EXO+ casing, which is far too flimsy for a potent enduro bike like the Strive. For more puncture protection, we recommend upgrading at least the rear tire to a more robust model with the tougher Doubledown casing.

Canyon Strive CFR LTD

€ 6,999

Specifications

Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Superdeluxe Ultimate Coil 160 mm
Seatpost Canyon G5 Dropper 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Canyon G5 45 mm
Handlebar Canyon G5 Alu 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss EX511 Alu, DT Swiss 240 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, EXO+, MaxxGrip/MAXXIS Minion DHR II, EXO+, MaxxTerra 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 16.1 kg

Specific Features

Shapeshifter
Toolmount + frame bag
Height adjustable dropper

Tuning tip: For better puncture protection, upgrade to more robust tires with the tougher DoubleDown casing, at least at the rear.

Helmet Fox Dropframe Pro | Goggle Fox Vue | Shirt Enduro Hoodie | Shorts Fox Ranger Short | Knee Protection Fox Launch D3O | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet Speedlace | Socks Stance | Watch Casio G-Shock GA-2100

The geometry of the 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD

The Canyon Strive CFR LTD is available in 4 sizes, S to XL. Since the Strive’s reach values are on the long side, we picked our test bike in frame size M, which offers a suitable option for riders between 1.72 m and 1.85 m tall. The rotating headset cups allow you to change the reach and wheelbase by +/- 5 mm. At 420 mm, the seat tube is the shortest in the entire test field, but the short dropper post prevents you from exploiting its advantages. When activating the Shapeshifter for climbing, you’ll raise the bottom bracket by 15 mm and steepen up the head and seat tube angles by 1.5°, from 63° to 64.5° and from 76.5° to 78°, respectively.

Size S M L XL
Reach 450 mm 475 mm 500 mm 525 mm
Stack 629 mm 634 mm 642 mm 660 mm
Chainstay Length 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm
BB Offset 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm
Seat Tube 400 mm 420 mm 435 mm 460 mm
Head Angle 63° 63° 63° 63°
Seat Angle 76.5° 76.5° 76.5° 76.5°
Horizontal Top Tube 601 mm 627 mm 654 mm 684 mm
Head Tube 105 mm 110 mm 120 mm 140 mm
Wheelbase 1234 mm 1262 mm 1291 mm 1325 mm

The 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD 2024 on the trail

When pedalling uphill with the Shapeshifter activated, the Strive CFR LTD is easy and comfortable to ride. Alongside bikes like the IBIS HD6 and Bold Unplugged, the Strive proved one of the best climbers in this test, with only the SCOTT Ransom delivering better uphill performance. The Shapeshifter results in a more upright pedalling position and at the same time minimises suspension bob on climbs. And while the additional lever can be a little confusing at first, the system is pretty intuitive to use and only takes a little getting used to. In order for the Shapeshifter to work properly, the gas piston needs to be adjusted to the rider’s weight using a shock pump.

With its intuitive handling, the Canyon Strive CFR LTD is easy to ride and makes beginners feel at ease from the get go.

The Strive CFR LTD is easy to throw around tight corners and just needs a little more weight on the front wheel.
The Strive CFR LTD feels at home on the gnarly trails around San Remo, impressing above all with its composed handling

As soon as you drop into a trail, the Strive CFR LTD integrates you securely between its wheels, making you feel at ease from the get go. The intuitive handling makes it easy to push your limits, even for beginners. When the going gets rough and the trail features get gnarlier, the Strive impresses with excellent composure, even on our brutal test track in San Remo. This makes it easy to hold your line through nasty rock gardens, while the rear suspension gobbles up big hits without batting an eyelid. Despite the linear coil shock, the suspension feels more on the firm and progressive side, but still not too harsh. Although it offers good end progression, it can’t quite keep up with the suspension of the IBIS HD6 and Yeti SB160, which respond a little more sensitively while maintaining the same kind of end progression and support.

Overall, the Canyon Strive CFR LTD provides a great mix of composure and agility on the trail, while at the same time scoring with excellent all-round characteristics.

At the same time, the Strive CRF LTD is agile enough to negotiate tight trail sections with hairpin switchbacks, though it requires you to actively weight the front wheel in flat trail sections. Overall, the Canyon strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility on the trail, while at the same time impressing with strong all-round qualities. Only our Best in Test, the IBIS HD6, and the former winner of the last Enduro comparison test, the Yeti SB160, strike an even better compromise between agility and composure.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD?

The Canyon Strive CFR LTD covers a wide range of applications and rider types, offering a suitable option for beginners, advanced riders and seasoned pros alike, proving to be a strong all-rounder. If you enjoy hanging out on rough trails and are looking for a potent bike that also cuts a fine figure uphill, the Strive might just be what you’re looking for.

CHARACTERISTICS

UPHILL

  1. sluggish
  2. efficient

AGILITY

  1. cumbersome
  2. playful

STABILITY

  1. nervous
  2. confident

HANDLING

  1. demanding
  2. balanced

SUSPENSION

  1. harsh
  2. plush

FUN FACTOR

  1. planted
  2. poppy

VALUE FOR MONEY

  1. terrible
  2. very good

INTENDED USE

Cross Country

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Our conclusions about the 2024 Canyon Strive CFR LTD

With the LTD version of their Strive CFR, Canyon entered the race with a strong all-rounder. It strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility, delivering a tremendous performance downhill, while at the same time proving one of the best climbers in the entire test field thanks to Canyon’s proprietary Shapeshifter. With the Canyon Strive CFR LTD, you’ll get a potent enduro bruiser at a very fair price. Even if it wasn’t quite enough for a podium finish this time, it’s still a good choice for a wide range of riders.

Tops

  • Strong all-rounder
  • One of the best climbers in this test
  • Strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility

Flops

  • Short-travel dropper post restricts freedom of movement on the bike
  • Puncture-prone tires don’t do justice to the bike’s character and intended use

For more info, visit Canyon’s website.


The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test

All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)


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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker Translation: Eric Frajria