The Canyon Grizl:ON, the Lux Trail and Crankbrothers new kicks
And this week's news highlights.
If last week's Five Cool Things was an Oakley special, this week's probably as close as we can get to a Canyon special. We've got both the brand-spanking-new Grizl:ON e-gravel bike and its marathon-beating cross-country (or downcountry) Canyon Lux Trail CFR. On top of that, we've been right on top of this week's hottest releases with new shoes from Crankbrothers and WTB's fresh accessories.
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But before we dive into the good stuff, let's take a look back at this week's top news stories. Compared to February, the beginning of March has calmed down, giving our writer's quick-typing fingers a welcomed respite. To start, Look unveiled the new X-Track power meter pedals and Crankbrothers introduced the Lace versions of the Mallet and Stamp Boa Trail shoes. The former promises slim packaging in an SPD platform while retaining all of the functionality you would expect. The latter gets a more trail and adventure-ready build but without forgoing the new tread pattern of the latest Crankbrothers Trail shoes. That's without even touching on WTB's new accessories and of course, the new Canyon Grizl:ON e-gravel bike.
Where the influx of new releases has slowed, our offering of features has picked up and we started the week with a first-ride review of Whyte's ELyte 150 RSX. It's a bike that properly blends the agility and character of a non-assisted mountain bike but with the extra power of a motor. We also took a look at titanium frames after Cotic announced its departure from building titanium bikes. Lance explored the differences between road and mountain bike saddles, and our monthly Industry Insider is back for March. This time we sat down with SRAM's head of Global Communications-turned-Velocio-GM, Sarah Leishman. Topping off the week, we asked whether or not cycling depends too much on technology.
As for reviews, Matt checked out Tubolights interesting-looking Diamana SL tyre inserts and Tioga's Undercover Stratum Max saddle. Our Pat rewarded Kinesis' Fend Off Shorty gravel mudguard a respectful four and a half stars and Scott's Aqua GTX LF gloves three and a half. Then bolstering a weekly theme of lightweight e-bikes, we put Scott's Lumen eRide 900 through its paces.
Canyon Lux Trail CFR
£6,700
Canyon_Lux_Trail_CFR_Hero.jpg, by Matthew Page
First up this week is Canyon's Lux Trail. We've got it in the range-topping CFR build with the frame weighing a hair under two kilos, making it one of the lightest full-suspension frames around. But what makes this bike exciting is that it takes the goodness of the Lux cross-country race bike and relaxes its geometry a little in a bid to make it easier over longer distances and directing it right at the marathon market – or those who love putting in the miles.
It gets top-end kit such as Fox Factory suspension including a 34 Stepcast fork that damps 120mm of travel while the Float SL sorts 115mm – both of those come with a remote lockout which is expected of a bike like this. Shimano's got shifting and braking covered with its XTR drivetrain and two-piston brakes. This model rolls on a pair of DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline 29-inch wheels that are wrapped with Schwalbe Wicked Will tyres.
However, the Lux Trail is more than a simple sum of its parts as the front triangle makes space for two large bottles, and there's storage built into the downtube. That's only scratching the surface, as there's an Impact Protection Unit that stops the bar from over-rotating, too.
As for the geometry, it's rather relaxed with a 67-degree head tube angle, a 76-degree seat tube angle and a 460mm reach on this medium frame.
Canyon Grizl:ON CF 9
£6,700
Canyon_Grizl-ON_Main.jpg, by Matthew Page
Next up is the Canyon Grizl:ON. Coming equipped with Bosch's Performance Line SX motor and a 400Wh battery, it's primed to take gravel lovers further than ever. Boosting its distance capability is the 250Wh PowerMore range extender and cleverly designed modular storage. Then, at the rear of the bike are built-in lights, keeping you visible over any road-based jaunts.
What makes this bike extra cool is not only its carbon frame but also its RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork that offers 40mm of suspension as well as SRAM's Force XPLR AXS 12-speed drivetrain. It packs a pair of DT Swiss HGC1800 wheels and Schwalbe's G-One BIte 45mm tyres.
As for this bike's geometry, it's certainly modern with a 69.5-degree head angle, a 74-degree seat tube angle and a 403mm reach.
Crankbrothers Stamp Boa Trail and Mallet Lace Trail
£170 - £220
2024 crankbrothers trail shoes.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The latest Trail shoes from Crankbrothers look to build on what was already a respectable platform. Available in both Stamp and Mallet (flat and clip) options, the Boa shoe is directed more towards the trail and enduro rider who prioritises lightweight, protection and comfort above all else. It also gets strategic ventilation zones for cooling.
The Lace Trail shoe gets a different upper entirely as it directs itself more towards adventure with a focus on comfort and versatility. It features more perforations and they're shaped with a more relaxed fit.
However, both variants of the shoe get a new tread pattern that's deeper all-round but is designed to provide better interaction between a pedal, pins and the ground. So generally, it should offer more grip on and off of the bike.
WTB TCS Rocket Tyre Plug Kit
£50
2024 wtb tyre repair.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Along with Max-Flow valves and new TPU tubes, WTB unveiled its new tubeless repair kit, the TCS Rocket Tyre Plug Kit. I'll admit, tubeless tyre repair kits aren't the most exciting of accessories around but this one's got me a little giddy as it solves the one problem that comes with shoving a bit of rubber into a puncture – its semi-permanence.
The plugs, bacon strips or worms used to seal punctures are seen as a get-me-home repair as they can pop out under high pressure, or they can be pulled out under braking or cornering loads. WTB's Rocket repair kit addresses this by using 'Rockets' or anchors that the plugs thread through and when inserted into a puncture, they stop the plugs from being pulled out, creating a permanent repair, says the brand.
These Rockets are then reusable. But that's not all as the capsule that the repair kit is housed in also includes storage for up to four rockets, 15 plugs and an 'extra hand' that seals a puncture whilst you're loading the tool. Better still, the rockets can be inserted using an Allen key, so there's a good opportunity to carry minimally if needed.
SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland
£90
2024 sdg bel air overland 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
SDG's Bel-Air V3 saddle is beginning to take on many forms and this is the gravel and cross-country going Overland version. It's designed for the more aggressive riding position that such bikes encourage and it uses a lower profile EVA foam than the regular Bel-Air as well as a flatter rear. Of course, there's also a central cutout for pressure relief.
Free Float Rail Inserts are included to allow for flex at the wings of the saddle and the saddle gets a wider nose for better support when climbing. The Bel-Air Overland benefits from a one-piece cover and ATMOS-sealed construction that does away with staples and bumpers on the underside of the saddle.
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