First Ride: 2019 Canyon LUX

We got our first bite of Canyon’s 2019 LUX, at the brand’s explosion amidst the South African bike arcade. The bike’s design and colouring immediately stole the show. While owning its delicate German touch, the 2019 LUX did not tread lightly! It was absolutely wicked on climbs, on single-track, on descents, and most importantly, on technical bits.

The bike quickly earned the “XC Menace” title during our, short, but resounding test. The LUX is built low down and fast. And its components equally match that definition. The model we piloted, was the 2019 LUX CF SL 6.0 PRO RACE. The level of performance does not fall far from the tree with this end-range bike, when compared to the top-range Canyon models.

First Thoughts:

The 2019 Canyon LUX features a competitive, stiffened and light-weight, carbon fibre frame. Part of the frame, is Canyon’s Flex Pivot suspension system which gave the bike an overall dominant vibe over rough trail sections. The entire front triangle of the LUX and simple rear shock pivot design, makes room for two bottle cages. Shoving this bike up on our favourite XC dual-suspension bike list.

The bike’s suspension is simply brilliant, full stop! For the rear shock, Canyon kitted the LUX CF SL 6.0 out, with a RockShox Deluxe RLR. Up front, its RockShox’ Reba RL fork. Both shocks are somewhat choppy, but nonetheless lenient in compression. Their light-weight nature gave the LUX a twitchy feel on the course.

Specs:

FRAME: CANYON LUX CF SL
REAR SHOCK: ROCKSHOX DELUXE RLR
FORK: ROCKSHOX REBA RL
DRIVETRAIN: SRAM NX EAGLE 1X12
BRAKES: SRAM LEVEL TL
WHEELSET: DT SWISS X 1900 SPLINE DB
TYRES: MAXXIS ARDENT RACE | MAXXIS IKON
HANDLEBAR: IRIDIUM FLATBAR
SADDLE: SELLE ITALIA X1
SEAT POST: IRIDIUM
WEIGHT: 11,8 KG (SIZE M)

Geometry:

Head-tube angle: 69.5-degrees.

Seat-tube angle: 74-degrees.

First Ride:

We were stunned by the Canyon LUX’s need for speed! The bike combines a responsive 1×12 speed drivetrain, with reliable frame stiffness, to give you superbly fast paced pedalling. Even when slicing through corners, its wheel base followed through with that stiffness. No flimsy behaviour here!

It’s a nimble, yet humble ride aboard the 2019 LUX. We loved the bike’s sporty acceleration, and responsive handling. It pieces together the perfect DNA of a stead-fast cross-country race bike. The suspension suited the bike’s call for speed. By soaking up drops, and then stiffening up again on the climbs. All with simultaneous remote lockout, if we might add.

First Verdict:

The 2019 Canyon LUX has deeply impressed us! From the ride, we can deduce that it will definitely be a huge hit here in South Africa. Especially with its longer fork travel, model options. We can’t wait to get another (and hopefully longer) test!