2023 Canyon
Exceed CF 5
A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components.
Compare the full range
For This Bike
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Exceed model range
View Comparison< 5'6"
5'4" – 5'10"
5'8" – 6'1"
5'11" – 6'4"
6'3" +
None yet.
Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.
Mar 2023
New models, new colours and new graphics arrive on popular, racy hardtail
Nov 2022 · Graham Cottingham
Is there still a place in mountain biking for conservatively shaped cross-country MTBs like Canyon’s Exceed CF 7?
Fast and efficient over long distances
Agile handling
Well specced
Slow pick up on the rear hub
Seatpost would occasionally slip
Easy to find the limits
Sep 2021 · Seb Stott
At the entry-level is the Lux CF 6 which is equipped with Shimano SLX shifting, Fox SC Performance suspension, and DT Swiss XR1900 wheels.
Feb 2021 · Dave Rome
A mountain bike so clearly intended to win World Cups that it carries a number of significant compromises for the recreational racer.
Focussed design for the racer, super stiff, agile handling, climbs like a goat, open frame design is easy to shoulder, low weight, good tyre clearance, race-ready spec, quality consumer-direct packaging.
Rides like an unprotected jackhammer, tall standover causes sizing woes, fiddly cable routing, press fit bottom bracket, price.
Nov 2020
Drawing on new carbon fibre tech, the 2021 Canyon Exceed is lighter, sharper, and more refined than ever before. But when full suspension bikes are so good, is there still a genuine market for a hardtail? To find out, we've been testing the super-light Canyon Exceed CFR Team - read on for our full review.
Stonking power transfer
Responsive, undiluted handling
Astonishingly low weight
One-piece bars and internal cabling are super clean
Flex post adds welcome comfort
Steering limiter is effective, but unnoticeable
Not exactly the most forgiving ride
Bottom bracket bearings already feeling rough
Seatpost clamp could be more user-friendly
Tubeless valves & sealant should be included
Aug 2020
We’ve seen a few high-profile XC hardtails released in the past month. BMC twisted out the Twostroke, a modern yet measured approach to a category that is still relevant, but takes a back seat to full-suspension. On the other hand, Orbea dropped the Alma, a purist’s race machine that takes a spare-no-expense approach to making…
Aug 2020
Is this the lightest bike ever made with Unicorn Hair? Maybe for an XC hardtail, that is. Check out the new Canyon Exceed CFR!
Aug 2020 · Alan Muldoon
With a single-minded focus on success, Canyon’s new Exceed hardtail is aimed at vanquishing long-distance stage races, such as the Cape Epic, and blitzing short-course XC sprints. Need to know New 29er hardtail from Canyon boasts an impressive 835g frame weight All five frame sizes roll on 29in wheels and accommodate two water bottles. Chainstay lengths increase on L and XL sizes for better weight distribution across the size range Fatter tyres and wider rims increase comfort and control Custom 60mm dropper posts on CF SLX models and Exceed CFR LTD Range starts with the Exceed CF5 at £1,599 >>> Best XC race hardtail and full-suspension bikes When the new Canyon Exceed arrived we had some recalibrating to do. Even on the scales we thought we were using the wrong units, as it’s rare for us to weigh a bike and get a single-digit reading. Just how light is the Exceed CFR Team? It’s 9.01kg for the size L bike, and that’s with two bottle cages fitted and both tyres converted to tubeless. So it’s light, but it’s not your typical, modern 29er XC race bike. Developed and tested in marathon style races like the Cape Epic, where riders huddle in packs to protect themselves from the wind blowing across the plains, the attitude of the new Exceed is actually quite traditional. The head angle is a smidge under 69º, the seat angle a safe 74º, and with a BB height of 312mm you won’t have any issues keeping the crank spinning at all times. There is no concession for increased standover clearance either; the relatively flat top tube needed to accommodate two full-size water bottles even on the smaller frame sizes – which are now all on 29in wheels. It’s why the Exceed has Canyon’s Impact Protection Unit built in. It’s basically a steering block headset to prevent the handlebar and controls smashing through the top tube in a crash. It’s a nice touch and well executed, but best of all it offers a turning circle that would impress a London cabbie. The real tech here though, is around the seatpost interface. At first glance we thought it was some sort of isolating design, like Trek’s ISO Speed. On closer inspection however, it’s actually the split seatpost design that helps reduce saddle buzz. Adjusting the tilt of the saddle is achieved by sliding both halves of the seat post past each other. Slide the rear portion of the post up to lower the nose of the saddle and vice versa, there’s even a small scale marked on the post to let you know where you’re at. Inspired by Canyon’s world championship winning Cyclo-Cross bike, the frame has a collarless seatpost clamp that looks super clean, and thanks to the rubber seal it should stay that way too. Also we had no issues securing the seatpost without it slipping, creaking or twisting in the frame, so that’s a bonus. Canyon also designed a custom dropper in conjunction with DT Swiss …Continue reading »
Light, fast and efficient, providing the terrain’s not too technical. Bigger tyres and compliance built into the frame and seat post offer a modicum of comfort. Ergon grips, Maxxis tyres and DT Swiss wheels are a bonus.
Not as versatile as other modern XC bikes.
| Frame | Canyon Exceed CF, Our superlight, cross-country 29er hardtail gives you race DNA in an accessible carbon package., Axle dimension: 12x148 mm, Material: Carbon (CF) BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Quick Silver |
|---|---|
| Fork | Rock Shox Recon RL Remote, Travel: 100 mm, Fork steer tube diameter: 1 1/8" - 1,5", Weight: 5.51 lbs Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM Pressfit DUB, Bottom bracket standard: PF 92, Weight: 0.17 lbs |
| Stem | Race Face Ride, Size XS and S bikes are specced with Iridium stems., Fork steer tube diameter: 1 1/8" |
| Handlebar | Race Face Ride Rise, Clamping diameter: 31,8 mm, Width: 740 mm |
| Saddle | Selle Italia Model X, Gender: Unisex, Weight: 0.69 lbs |
| Seatpost | Race Face Ride, Clamp diameter: 30,9 mm, Material: Aluminium (AL), Weight: 0.02 lbs Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | None included |
| Grips | Canyon push-on Grips |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle, Weight: 0.90 lbs |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM SX Eagle DUB, Number of chainrings: 1 |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, Weight: 0.29 lbs |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1230 Eagle 11-50 12s, Number of sprockets: 12 |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle |
| Brakes | SRAM Level T Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | DT Swiss LN XC, Rotor mount: IS 6-bolt, Weight: 2.15 lbs | "DT Swiss XC LN 370, Axle dimension: 12x148 mm, Rotor mount: IS 6-bolt, Rim material: Aluminium |
|---|---|
| Tires | Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25'', Width: 2.25" |
| Disc Rotors | SRAM Centerline Rounded, Size: 160 mm, Weight: 0.25 lbs | SRAM Centerline Rounded, Size: 180 mm, Weight: 0.37 lbs |
Last updated March 23
Not listed for 20 days