Right, Im a full sus virgin and looking to buy. I currently have a Whyte 905 which is good and light but want a full sus. Ive read and seen loads of stuff on the Canyon Nerves...5,6,7 XC or AM???? Advice please cos I am soooooo confused.
I was poking around on their site this week and they are cracking value. The Nerve is available in 100mm (MR), 120mm (XC), and 140mm (AM) versions so I guess there is a version to suit most uses. 120mm is spot-on for me, indeed just for riding around here I'd stick with 100mm. Depends on your tastes and what/how you ride.
If weight and component spec matters to you then you won't get better than a Nerve for the money, and having looked at all the specs there is not a bad one really. Even the 5 and 6 have a component mix often found on bikes twice the price from lower volume makes, bikes that review no better either.
It is nice to own something relatively unusual, particularly when you have built it up to your own spec, but with parts prices in recent years being a complete rip-off (and frame/bike prices here being a ripoff compared to the same in the US) I reckon you could easily pay twice the price of a Canyon for something no lighter or better specced, that rides no better. Just a frame with more bling.
Depends what you want really! As a full suss virgin with a light bike now, maybe a Nerve MR or XC 7 would be a great starting point?
I've got a Nerve XC 5 and it really Is a cracking bike. The detail is stunning comes helitaped , internal gear cables , Bladed spokes , mavic wheels , Free shock pump and torque wrench . Not to mention Fox float Rp2 and Rockshox recon 120mm golds. Great bike you wont regret It , but get in now before everyone realise how good a deal they are and the delivery dates are affected.
Bit ugly though aren't they?
Yep figure out your budget and buy the corresponding Nerve XC 120x120. Nerve MR is a slightly slack 100mm race bike, if you want an all round susser its prob a little demanding for all purpose use.
As for price, I got a Lux MR-9 for £3200. For almost exactly the same spec Giant want £6700 for their Anthem X Advanced SL-0. It makes so sense.
Been a few comments about Canyon not being a desirable brand, a few people trying to pigeonhole them with the likes of Marin. I've had filthy looks and comments from a couple of bike shop owners who clearly do not like the mail-order business model. Well Philippe Gilbert has been slaying all-comers on the road this Spring and the Topeak-Ergon team arent doing too badly on their mtb either. Ignore the trolls, this is the future.
I can't believe people would make negative comments about a Canyon because of the sales model. Those people seriously need to get a life.
For people wanting to lean heavily on a bike shop for test rides, sizing, selection, etc and who will take the bike back expecting them to help for free when the cables stretch etc then a LBS is the only option - but not for all of us.
I've got the Nerve AM, its a cracking bike. Totally agree stanfree, absolutely everything is a little better than you would expect with the helitape etc.
Little trick to note is they have a list of specific models and colours that they keep available on short order where others are on a long lead time.
I've also got a Nerve AM, had it for 3 months not had any problems with it and it's a great ride.
I emailed their service centre before ordering and they were quick to respond and helpful.
Have a real think about what type of riding you do, and how you want the bike to feel.
If most of your riding is singletrack or red route trail centre stuff I dont see the need for more than 4" of travel. Also you need to compare the geometry of the bikes. Generally longer travel bikes have slacker angles which makes them great downhill, but not so good uphill or quick in singletrack.
Looking though the Whyte has relatively slack angles...
