Time flies when you’re fast as hell. Consider the original Sender—a bike that instantly made a name for itself on the world’s toughest downhill tracks. Canyon have rolled out the next generation of speed—the 2021 Sender CFR. Taking one of the world’s best downhill racing machines and making it lighter, more controlled, and even faster. Their top-tier downhill machine also marks the debut of Canyon Factory Racing—premier products born from a true partnership between Canyon engineers, designers, mechanics, and the world’s fastest riders.
The clock never lies
On Tuesday August 11th, the Sender CFR debuts as two complete models: the Fox-Shimano equipped Sender CFR FMD (€4,699/$4,699)*and the RockShox-Sram equipped Sender CFR (€5,799/$5,799). Both models will be immediately available in markets outside of the United States. Riders in America will have access to both models soon thereafter.
The Canyon Sender CFR’s geometry gives riders with what it takes to win on modern DH courses. The longer wheelbase increases stability at high speeds. Adjustable reach and chain-stay length give the Sender CFR unrivaled versatility, enabling riders to tune the bike to their ride style or to the demands of the day’s track. The MY21 Sender CFR rolls on big wheels, increasing rider speed through rocks and roots. Large and XL versions get the full 29er treatment. Small and Medium models go “mullet” (29” up front, 27.5” out back) for the win. The mullet option provides shorter riders with many of the same roll-over benefits, while providing them with crucial clearance on steeper courses.
Canyon shaved more than 600 grams from the carbon Sender chassis yet maintained the durability needed to withstand seasons of abuse. Carbon chain and seat-stays, a new shock-mount location, and precise shaping of every bit of the bike helped us cut weight without sacrificing strength or durability. Excessive pedal kickback tires riders and reduces your suspension’s effectiveness. After years of research and testing, Canyon optimized the Sender CFR’s kinematics to reduce pedal kickback to levels that are virtually undetectable on the trail. End result? The new Sender CFR is remarkably fast and smooth through the nastiest sections of trail!
They designed more progressiveness into the Sender CFR’s kinematics, allowing you to ride hard and fast (and to sometimes come up short) without blowing through your rear suspension travel.
What’s new?
CFR — COMPETITION IS THE DNA
C-F-R…those three letters stand for Canyon Factory Racing, which might lead you to think “team bike”. But it’s more than that. Yes, this is the weapon of choice for Troy Brosnan, Tahnee Seagrave and shredders the world over, but competition isn’t merely a part of this bike’s DNA. Competition is the Sender CFR’s DNA. All of it.
The hunt for the podium dictated the very carbon lay-up, the leverage curve, the suspension tune, every millimeter and angle of the Sender CFR. This bike was born from competition.
OUTSTANDING ADJUSTABILITY
Most riders don’t have a different gravity bike for every day of the week. They need one bike that gets the job done. The Sender’s reach and chainstay adjustability gives you the ability to tune the Sender CFR to the day’s ride. Want maximum speed and stability? Go long. Feel like boosting the playfulness for a day at the park? Go short. The Sender CFR is the rare, truly versatile World Cup race bike.
BIGGER WHEELS
The Sender CFR rolls on big wheels. Large and X-Large versions get the full 29er treatment. Small and Medium models go “mullet” (29 up front, 27.5 out back) for the win. Twenty-niner wheels improve roll over through rocks and roots. They maintain momentum like a champ. Big wheels are, in a word, fast. The mixed wheelsize option provides shorter riders with many of the same roll-over benefits, while also providing them (thanks to the smaller rear wheel) with crucial crotch-to-tire clearance on steeper courses.
![]()
LONGER WHEELBASE
Modern DH courses are wider and faster than in the past. The Sender CFR’s geometry is perfectly in tune with that it takes to win. The new Sender CFR’s longer reach and rear center (the latter, spec’d on Large and X-Large models) lends stability at high speeds.
SMOOTH, STABLE, AND CONTROLLED SUSPENSION
It’s the holy grail—that ideal bike that’s smooth from the start, never wallows about when you are looking to accelerate, and doesn’t blow through its travel when the big hits come calling. Triple Phase Suspension is our key to making all of that a reality on the Sender CFR.
PHASE 1 The precise positioning of the rear shock and suspension pivot points provides outstanding sensitivity and responsiveness at the start of the stroke.
PHASE 2 Through the mid-stroke the suspension provides a stable platform, letting you put maximum power through the pedals and exit corners with more speed.
PHASE 3 The end of the stroke ramps up progressively, giving you bottom-out control on the fastest, most brutal courses
QUICK AND QUIET
Simple truth—a world class DH bike shouldn’t sound like a box full of bolts being tossed down the mountainside. Canon designed the Sender CFR to run silently. Over-the- top chainstay protection, ample clearance between chain and chainstay, and rattle-free, internal cable routing keep noise to an absolute minimum so you can focus on the one thing that truly matters—your line.
What models are available in the Sender CFR line-up:
Canyon are offering two Sender CFR models—the Sender CFR €5,799 ($5,799) and Sender CFR FMD €4,699 ($4,699). So far they do not plan to offer the Sender CFR as a frame-only option.
Source: Canyon Bicycles
