Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021 on test Because every centimeter counts

Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021 on test: Canyon has given the Neuron a makeover for the new year that others would call “Evo”, “Plus” or “UK Edition”. The Canyon Neuron CF Limited is equipped with somewhat more aggressive components and is therefore more in the direction of an all-mountain bike, but without becoming unnecessarily heavy or sluggish. We have already been able to test the price-performance hit.

More news? All 2021 Canyon Neuron and Spectral models are featured here.

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PROFILE - Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021

We know the canyon neuron. 29″, 130mm travel, touring fully - and just freshly updated with new colors and specs for 2021. Just the thing for many mountain bikers. For everyone who is looking for something special, traditional but probably a bit too ordinary. That changes with the CF Limited: it's a bit more special and with a limit of 100 pieces, it won't be a permanent guest on your home trail. The mix of components isn't boring either, and the price - for what's on offer - is very attractive. In short, you can get SRAM AXS gears and a DT Swiss XMC1200 carbon wheelset for €4,999, just to name the two most obvious highlights.

Video: Testing the new Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021

In detail

The Canyon Neuron has always been a very popular touring fully and of course the people from Koblenz don't want to change anything about that. "Touring fully" doesn't sound spectacular, of course, but it's what many people do with a mountain bike: touring. Uphill, downhill, at home, in the mountains ... nothing should change from autumn 2020. That's why the good things are kept: the lines are routed neatly under the down tube in the channel. It also protects against stone chipping, looks decent, fits. Then there are the covered bearing seats or the integrated impact protection in the headset, clean things. All in all, Canyon has simply put a lot of love into detail, developed its own solutions - many a well-known American manufacturer can learn a lesson from that.

All in all, the bike is simply black, which runs from front to back and looks timelessly high-quality. But if you want a conspicuous eye-catcher, look into the tube: The only dabs of color are the Schwalbe designations of the rubber compounds. Speaking of Schwalbe: It is well known that tires make up the character of a bike and that is why the Limited starts with something thicker than the conventional Neuron: The grippier Hans Dampf rolls on the front wheel instead of the Nobby Nic that is used in the other Neurons. The brakes also have more reserves, with 200 mm discs instead of 180 mm. At the front, the handlebar supports the extended downward performance of the Limited, which is noticeable with a 20 mm rise instead of the usual 10 mm. Combined with the longer fork, the front rises, the driver is placed a little more upright and confident.

In any case, the tidy look is beyond any doubt: the AXS group with its missing cables naturally contributes to this, which means that only three cables are left on the handlebars. Also interesting is the selection of the spring elements, which are contributed by DT Swiss and optically match the frame perfectly. DT Swiss has also covered everything that is possible on the fork; the fork looks independent, robust and very tidy. At the front and rear, the chassis can only be varied externally with regard to rebound and a 3-position compression stage; for the rebound you even need a tool on the fork, which can be found in the axle. The idea behind it: something that is not often adjusted does not have to be accessible - and can therefore take a back seat.

geometry

The Neuron made its debut at the end of 2018. Everything was a little shorter then, so you might think that the bike would simply deserve a longer geometry by now. But when we talked to the Canyon guys, it became clear: they don't really believe in the long geometries. In any case, the frame of the Neuron CF Limited is the same as that used on the 2019 and 2020 model years. However, the longer suspension fork changes something: The steering angle is flatter, the bottom bracket is a little higher, and the reach is shorter. You read that right! Less reach! With 428 mm in size M you will definitely be in the middle in 2020, if you choose an XL frame you will get 468 mm - there is nothing more. Thanks to the flatter steering angle, the wheelbase is growing and is 1170 mm in M ​​– that’s really only short compared to the extreme new school offers.

Furnishing

On the trail

What sounds like small changes - and in fact we're talking about a centimeter here, another there - has an overall noticeable effect. The Neuron remains Neuron and is therefore suitable for all-round use. But his driver is just a little more above things. The seating position: Comfortable, but still ready for the short sprint. In my opinion, a 60 mm stem is just right for a trail bike, steering movements feel nice and direct. In any case, you feel right at home, the feeling "Whoa, that's pretty long" that you are used to from some modern bikes is missing. Does the "short" reach get in the way on the descent? We'll clarify later.

First we gain height. You also have to pedal alternately left and right with an electronic radio gearshift, which means you sit very comfortably on the Ergon saddle. You can block the damper, real XC riders probably still like to do that - I personally tried it and found it unnecessary. The bike climbs willingly, the 52-tooth rescue anchor is combined with a 32-tooth chainring and also allows for fairly steep climbs. For the incredibly steep slopes up to the Madritschjoch you could have used a 30 sheet. That just goes to show that the geometry allows you to ride super-steep uphills, you're more likely to reach the limit of your thighs than a rising front wheel. You can also steer the load in an uncomplicated way, the rear stays active, the new Nobby Nic grips well - the Neuron doesn't offer its pilot any excuses for the climbs.

I'm just assuming now that a lot of neurons are likely to be moved on flow trails. There are also those in South Tyrol and in Val Müstair, they are almost 2000 m higher than on the Rabenberg, but the combination of slight curves and fewer bumps is also there. Where you tend to get bored on many a log truck, the Canyon feels handy and therefore simply at home. Here nobody has to actively hang over the handlebars so that the front wheel doesn't slip away in a moment of inattention; uncomplicated fun is on the agenda.

Can this calm bike also shine on the descent? Anyone who has ever steered their front wheel in the direction of Random Hut on the Madritschjoch knows that it's downhill. Steep and rocky. Everything is mobile (with the exception of a right-hand bend with a step in it), but only just mobile at first. Here you need a good chassis, good brakes, good tires and the right geometry. Basically just a good bike. Summarized point by point:

The DT Swiss suspension belongs to the category: the harder you push it, the more it gives back. Anyone who rolls along fluffy perceives a lively, gentle disposition. Those who simply hold on to rocks and roots will reap peace - because the chassis also absorbs heavy hits with ease. The damping of the F535 is actually path-dependent, so it increases with further compression - regardless of the speed - which tends to leave a little more spring travel, especially on very steep terrain.

Unfortunately, the brakes cannot quite keep up with the very good performance of the chassis. They work, which means: the bike decelerates. They are also easy to dose. But I can't think of any other positive characteristics, because they simply lack braking power. The 200 mm discs specified by Canyon still get the most out of them, but overall the leverage is too great - the forearms tire unnecessarily quickly. If there are a lot of really chic hairpin bends, but the brakes don't really like them anymore... it's annoying.

We still need good tires for the challenging entry into the trail. Schwalbe really did a great job here, because the so-called "super" models are noticeably better than their predecessors. With new carcasses, a new profile (on the Nobby Nic) and the very good Addix rubber, there was never a lack of grip. Notably, over two long days on the bike, 15 bikes didn't have a flat tire. All in all, that doesn't make a defect at about 70,000 meters of depth, great!

All that's missing is good geometry. We already mentioned at the beginning that the Neuron doesn't make any leaps in the direction of "logging trucks" and seems a bit short compared to some modern bikes. But the driving impression is: Very good. Even when it gets steep, you always feel master of the situation. My impression is that the DT fork, which doesn't waste its travel, ensures that the front center stays longer in practice than on many other bikes - in any case, a confident performance. The bike masters the technically slow pace as well as faster wood, keeps its track cleanly; solid idea.

We noticed that

Conclusion – Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021

Every centimeter counts: With the small changes, the Canyon Neuron CF Limited 2021 is even more confident without losing any of its suitability for everyday use or liveliness. The DT Swiss suspension knows how to impress and joins an absolutely classy package, for which Canyon is asking a fair €4,999. If you don't get one of the bikes that are limited to 100 pieces, you should take a look at the cheaper Neuron models.

test procedure

Canyon invited us to Sulden to test the bike. Canyon provided board and lodging as well as guide, gondola and shuttle.

Here we tested the Neuron CF

driving style

playful, clean and with lots of drifts

I mainly drive

trail, enduro

chassis preferences

It's the right mix of comfort and pop that makes the difference

Geometry preferences

Relatively low, relatively long

Do you like the Neuron's special features or would you have preferred a bigger leap in geometry?