In a crowded segment, Canyon’s Neuron:ON CF 8 stakes its claim as the versatility and distance-focused trail bike. Realised through several specific geometry and component choices, as well as its suspension travel, the brand has successfully hit those aims as it can comfortably traverse all terrain in a fun and responsive manner. While Canyon has nailed the trail bike geometry, some component choices are a bit odd and negatively affect its downhill potential.
- Canyon's e-MTB and e-gravel bike range 2023
- Haibike AllMtn 2 e-MTB review
- off-road Opinion - E-bikes aren't a menace, it's all about trail etiquette
Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 - Technical details
Released earlier this year, the latest version of the Neuron:ON received a carbon frame (across the range) and exclusively runs on 29-inch hoops. With that new carbon frame, the bike has shed a load of weight thanks to a special layup making it lighter than its alloy predecessor. This new frame exceeds Canyon’s Category 3E strength and impact resistance standards, which is a solid nod to its newfound capability.
The frame gets everything we’ve come to expect from a Canyon bike, so that includes replaceable thread inserts at the pivots and double-sealed cartridge bearings. There’s also an integrated chain guide, internal cable routing, and space for a water bottle in the front triangle. On top of that, there's also a mud flap at the rear which should keep the main pivot free of muck.
The Neuron:ON also benefits from Canyon’s famous Triple Phase Suspension kinematic. This means that the rear suspension is designed to be supple in the early stages of the stroke, supportive in the mid-stroke, and progressive at the end. For this particular bike, however, it’s been made to be slightly less progressive in order for the bike to make better use of all of its travel. There’s also been a small boost to its anti-squat figure to help the bike pedal better.
With a new frame comes a new geometry and this bike takes many cues from its bigger sibling, the Spectral:ON as the front end of the bike is almost identical. But that is no bad thing as I quite liked that Spectral:ON, which is universally renowned for its capability down a hill. Those measurements include a 65.5-degree head angle and a 485mm reach on a large frame. There’s also the same 76.5-degree effective seat tube angle but things change towards the rear of the bike. Importantly, there’s a longer 450mm chainstay across the board which has been included to aid the Neuron:ON’s climbing stability, which is something that the Spectral:ON lacks.
This bike gets its motor from Bosch with the Performance Line CX which outputs up to 85Nm and that’s combined with a 750Wh battery as standard on this model. It’s worth noting that the lower-spec bikes get the 625Wh battery. Choosing to steer clear of the Kiox display, Canyon has included a top tube-mounted light system, that denotes power mode and battery level via lights. It’s a simpler and far-sleeker design that I appreciate.
Something that comes as a real bugbear is the battery – it isn’t removable. So for me, that’s meant I’ve had to bring the whole bike indoors to charge, rather than whip the battery out of the frame. Of course, this won’t be a problem for everyone, but it’s one worth pointing out as it can impact a user’s experience with the bike.
Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 - Componentry
This CF 8 build sits only beneath the range-topping offering and it comes with everything we’ve come to expect from a model of this level. So there’s a Fox 34 Performance fork paired with a Fox DPS Performance shock both of which dampen 140mm of suspension travel.
There’s a Shimano Deore XT 12-speed drivetrain along with its companion brakes with a four-piston caliper at the front and a two-piston caliper at the rear. Those clamp onto a set of 203mm rotors.
The bike rolls on a pair of DT Swiss HLN350 wheels which are shod with Schwalbe Nobby Nics in 2.4in widths. The finishing kit, including the dropper post are Canyon branded, and there’s a Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 saddle.
While the bike carries many decent parts, some certainly raise questions. For example, there’s a large 203mm rotor at the rear of this bike, which is almost a standard seen on many e-mountain bikes, but that’s paired with a two-piston caliper. On an e-bike, it’s a question of ‘why not have a four-piston caliper?’ It’ll provide more braking power which will be incredibly valuable to slow the extra weight of an e-MTB with a minimal penalty to its overall weight.
It’s a similar story with the fork. While the Fox 34 does little to affect its descending ability, why not up the bike’s capabilities by equipping it with a 36? Granted, this will add weight. I’ve been told that this bike will happily accommodate a 150mm, 36-stanchioned fork. The same could be argued for the front tyre, as grippier rubber could be used posing an upgrade to performance with little compromise. It almost feels like Canyon has included this kit only to visually set it apart from the Spectral:ON. However, it’s more likely to help the bike hit its respectable 22kg weight.
Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 - Performance
I’ve sampled the Neuron:ON through a range of trails, from prime Italian tracks ahead of the bike’s launch, right through to some off-piste terrain and trail centre tracks back on home turf. Throughout the test period, the bike performed impressively, showing that the formula proven by the Spectral:ON, is one that translates very well to a trail platform with a few tweaks. But those tweaks make it a very different machine.
The clear takehome of the Neuron:ON is that it’s very balanced and shows no preference towards descending or climbing performance. When climbing, it’s planted and makes noticeable use of its lengthier 450mm chainstay as it helps to keep both wheels tracking the ground, even when the climb gets steep. Its ride position is also very neutral in that when seated, rider weight does little to influence the bike's trajectory.
Canyon’s pursuit of versatility is one that shows in its wise shaping of the suspension kinematic here, because, with the help of the relatively low weight figure (for a full-fat e-bike), the Neuron:ON is incredibly responsive. It’s solid on the pedals, making climbing require minimal effort but also provides loads of feedback. This transfers tonnes of information to the feet, letting the rider know exactly what the rear wheel is doing. It’s also a very supportive kinematic and one that rewards with a lively feel. But it doesn’t hold back the bike's all-out capability when tracks get rough as that smidgeon of linearity that has been built into the suspension helps the shock open up, and freely absorb bumps.
While the bike’s new front end does a lot to boost general capability, the lengthier chainstay also contributes to the cause. That extra length aids stability by extending the overall wheelbase which, when carrying speed, is definitely appreciable. The addition of a few millimetres to the chainstay isn’t without compromise though as it does subtract a little from the bike’s agility.
For the most part, this remains unnoticeable as the rider will relish in the stability the length rustles up but, when the trail gets twisty, the Neuron:ON doesn’t quite have the hustle of a shorter chainstay. This is also attributed to the full 29-inch wheel setup which pays back when tackling distance.
With that in mind, the Neuron:ON is a bike with an air of adventure about it. With its lighter weight, fast(ish) rolling tyres, and bigger battery capacity, it’s a bike that makes the most sense when getting lost in the hills and where big distance is the name of the game. That’s simply because the bike poses little compromise in such situations. There isn’t an aspect of the bike that requires battling to keep the wheels on the ground, to eke out full efficiency, or just to have a good time. It’s got enough suspension travel and a geometry that’s shaped well enough to cope with a lot of the descending that the UK can throw at it while remaining well-mannered when the trail points up.
The combination of the reach and head tube angle results in a front triangle that offers plenty of support and stability when the trail gets steeper but it’s not so radical that it detracts from the performance when traversing flatter terrain, where the liveliness of the rear suspension adds to the bike’s character.
While this bike is pretty capable, it does well to not step on the Spectral:ON’s toes but that’s mostly due to the chosen componentry. The Fox 34 fork isn’t the stiffest fork about and, when pushed out of its comfort zone, that can be noticed. The extra bit of flex afforded by the 34’s narrower stanchions results in a hint of uncertainty through lumpy terrain, where the front wheel is easily persuaded offline. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good fork but with the weight of an e-mountain bike behind it, it can’t quite keep up with the potential capability that this bike possesses.
The same goes for the front tyre. While certainly good enough, for the UK’s more natural riding and softer terrain, a softer rubber compound and more aggressive tread pattern will come in handy. But if riding more challenging terrain more frequently is a potential customer’s inclination, then the Neuron:ON might not be for them.
On the other hand, because of Canyon’s spec choices, the Neuron:ON is kind to its battery. The frame’s lighter weight and faster rolling tyres provide efficiency which works to stretch every watt from the battery. I’ve started 1,100ft days with around 70% battery and finished with some power still left in the tank. So where this bike may lack in the all-out descending capability department, it makes up for it with its battery conservation.
Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 - Verdict
With a price tag of £5,349, the Neuron:ON shows good value but goes head-to-head with the YT Industries’ Decoy 29 Core 3. This bike also focuses on all-round trail performance but does so in a slightly different way. It’s a bit heavier, with an alloy rear end but it gets a Fox 36 Performance Elite fork, grippier rubber and four-piston calipers at both ends, gaining what the Neuron:ON lacks. The Decoy is a shorter bike but that’s where it gets its playfulness and it employs its weight for stability whereas Canyon’s bike takes a more traditional approach to stability. The Decoy is also set apart by the fact it runs a Shimano EP8 drive system with a removable battery. The YT Industries Decoy Core 3 will set you back £5,000 saving 300 odd quid.
As expected, the Neuron:ON trumps non-direct sales brands such as Giant which offers the Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 3 at £5,500. Its geometry is close but doesn’t stack up to the Neuron:ON’s build kit, proving Canyon's great bang for buck.
Where many e-bikes are all about winch-and-plummet thrills, the Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 dials things back a little to balance playfulness with long-distance adventure. It’s a very well-rounded machine offering great climbing behaviour combined with a confident and responsive character at speed. It would be helpful if that battery was removable.