At first glance, the Canyon Neuron CF 8.0 may look like the odd one out in this group test, undercutting the competition considerably on price. However, with a specification that rivals the Yeti SB100 and a geometry that on paper looks very similar to the competition, how will this affordable machine perform on the trail?
For an overview about the test field click her: The Best Short-Travel Trail Bike – 6 Mountain Bikes in Test
Canyon are on a roll at the moment, producing one group test winning bike after the next. The Spectral and Strive have dominated our trail and enduro bike tests in the past. Sitting below the Spectral in travel, the Neuron is an interesting bike with 29-inch wheels and 130mm travel front and rear. While longer in travel than the rest of the bikes in this test, it has a similar ‘all rounder’ approach. Offering incredible value for money throughout the range, any Neuron would fit well in this test, but it was the ridiculously affordable CF 8.0 model that caught our attention, boasting a full carbon frame and a SRAM GX drivetrain for an eye-wateringly low € 2,699. The rest of the specification is all sensibly chosen, there’s no bling, but it’s all reliable and functional. The Fox 34 Rhythm fork may lack the extensive weight saving of the Step-Cast models, but it offers more lateral stiffness, and the DT Swiss M1900 wheelset is nice at this price point. On paper, the Canyon Neuron looks like the bargain of the century and shows that the direct sales champions are still looking after customers looking for an affordable entry into the sport.
Sitting between the hard-hitting Spectral and the nervous Lux, the Canyon Neuron makes a lot of sense for riders looking for a comfortable and capable mile muncher.
The Canyon Neuron CF 8.0 in detail
Fork FOX 34 Rhythm 130 mm
Shock FOX FLOAT DPS Performance 130 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide T 108/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 150 mm
Stem Iridium 60 mm
Handlebar Iridium Flatbar 760 mm
Wheels DT Swiss M 1900
Tires MAXXIS Forekaster 2.35″
The SRAM Guide T brakes are underpowered, struggling to restrain the Canyon Neuron’s enjoyable and playful character
While functional, we found the remote for the Iridium dropper post was a little wobbly
The Canyon Neuron features a neat ‘steering stop’ to stop the bars rotating and damaging the frame
Our Scottish testers were a little worried seeing exposed bearing faces inside the rear linkage. Inevitably, these collect muck, mud and dirt.
The stock rear suspension of the Canyon Neuron is very linear, lacking mid-stroke support. We found the performance improved with the addition of a 0.8 in3 spacer.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 558 mm | 581 mm | 603 mm | 626 mm | 654 mm |
| Head tube | 88 mm | 100 mm | 102 mm | 112 mm | 143 mm |
| Head angle | 67.0° | 67.0° | 67.5° | 67.5° | 67.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| Chainstays | 430 mm | 430 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB-Drop | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,121 mm | 1,146 mm | 1,167 mm | 1,190 mm | 1,222 mm |
| Reach | 398 mm | 418 mm | 433 mm | 453 mm | 473 mm |
| Stack | 578 mm | 589 mm | 614 mm | 623 mm | 651 mm |
The Canyon Neuron CF 8.0 on the trail
As with most Canyons, on the trail the Neuron is an easy bike to love. The familiar and engaging handling that defines other models like the Spectral is still there through the corners but the Neuron is a little more lively on undulating trails, darting along with a nimble and composed ride. Like most of the bikes in this test, the Canyon Neuron’s seat tube is a little slacker than we would like for the climbs but the efficient kinematics and small chainring let us spin up the steepest hills without fuss. On the descents, the high front end, combined with the comfortable reach, gives safe and predictable handling without the nervousness and snappy character often found on short-travel bikes. The Neuron is an exercise in balance and the easy-going ride will delight intermediate riders, remaining composed even if you don’t ride it in the most active way.
The rear suspension of the Canyon Neuron feels linear and plush. Riders who enjoy air time will want to experiment with volume reducers for more progression in the shock.
Harder riding testers found the kinematics too linear and easily overpowered and bottomed-out the Fox DPS Performance shock. However, the addition of a medium volume spacer did improve the ride. Unfortunately, the SRAM Guide T brakes, are woefully underpowered and leave you holding back from pushing things too far. The remote for the Iridium dropper post was a little wobbly but aside from that, there was very little to fault. While the neutral personality didn’t excite the more advanced riders in our group-test, the Canyon Neuron was effortless to ride and happy to smash out both big mountain epics and fast laps of home trails. The Canyon Neuron is the perfect choice for an intermediate rider looking for an affordable introduction into trail riding nirvana.
Conclusion
If you usually ride moderate trails and enjoy long days in the saddle then the Canyon Neuron is a bargain. Offering a refined and comfortable ride to a broad spectrum of ability levels, the Neuron is an outstanding trail bike. Aggressive riders wanting to push hard may find the Neuron a little tame.
Tops
- easily accessible performance
- outstanding value
Flops
- Guide T brakes are underpowered
- linear suspension lacks support
The test field
For an overview about the test field click her: The Best Short-Travel Trail Bike – 6 Mountain Bikes in Test
All bikes in test: Merida ONE TWENTY 8000 | Specialized Epic Expert Evo | Trek Top Fuel 9.9 | Whyte S-120C RS | Yeti SB100 C GX
This article is from ENDURO issue #040
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