2023 · CanyonExceed CF SLX 8

A mountain bike so clearly intended to win World Cups that it carries a number of significant compromises for the recreational racer.

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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.

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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…

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Is this the lightest bike ever made with Unicorn Hair? Maybe for an XC hardtail, that is. Check out the new Canyon Exceed CFR!

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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 »

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