The world of mountain biking is evolving, and Canyon's recent move to unveil a revamped Exceed cross-country bike with a drop-bar twist is a testament to that. This development is particularly intriguing as it challenges the traditional norms of mountain biking and opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
The Rise of Drop Bar MTBs
Drop bar mountain bikes have been a topic of curiosity and contention in the cycling world. While they gained attention at the Leadville 100 race, their use was subsequently banned, leaving many riders and enthusiasts questioning their place in the sport. However, Canyon's bold step suggests that there's more to this unconventional setup than meets the eye.
Canyon's Vision for Versatility
Canyon, a renowned brand in the cycling industry, has recognized the evolving landscape of endurance racing. Self-supported races like the Atlas Mountain Race and Tour Divide are gaining traction, and riders are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Canyon's response? The Exceed CFR Gravel, a drop-bar equipped mountain bike that blends the best of both worlds.
What makes this particularly fascinating is Canyon's focus on durability. They've opted for electronic, wireless shifting, believing that mechanical failures can be detrimental in a race. While this technology is a step towards reliability, it also presents its own set of challenges, as anyone who's tried to fix a broken AXS setup can attest.
The Benefits and Ergonomics
The Exceed CFR Gravel offers a unique blend of mountain bike advantages, including superior grip, durability, and versatile gearing, coupled with the ergonomic benefits of a drop handlebar. This combination could potentially provide an aerodynamic advantage, too, especially with Canyon's innovative 'Gear Groove' feature, which integrates light and computer mounts into the handlebars.
A Closer Look at the Specs
Under the hood, the Exceed CFR Gravel boasts a RockShox SID Ultimate fork with Flight Attendant technology, ensuring a smooth and controlled ride. The cockpit is equipped with Canyon's CP0039 Double Drop bar, keeping the setup tidy and efficient. For added comfort, a VCLS 2.0 carbon seatpost is employed, providing a compliant rear end.
The Regular Exceed CFR
Alongside the drop-bar variant, Canyon has also updated the regular Exceed CFR, a flat-bar cross-country hardtail designed for marathon racing. This bike shares the same carbon frame as its drop-bar counterpart but features a 100mm travel suspension fork and SRAM's XX SL AXS drivetrain. It rolls on DT Swiss's XRC1200 carbon wheelset, emphasizing efficiency and lightweight performance.
Pricing and Availability
The Exceed CFR AXS is priced at £5,699, while the Exceed CFR Gravel AXS comes in at £3,799. While we don't have the exact geometry specifications yet, we can expect some adjustments, especially with the shorter travel fork on the Gravel model.
Final Thoughts
Canyon's move to embrace drop bars on mountain bikes is a bold statement. It challenges the status quo and opens up new avenues for exploration and experimentation. As the cycling world continues to evolve, innovations like these will shape the future of the sport. Personally, I think it's an exciting development, and I can't wait to see how riders adapt and embrace this unique blend of mountain biking and road cycling.
