Canyon Strive review (first impressions)

Having finally come back from holiday and sorted the frame wrap out I’ve been out on the beast for the first time. Just in case anyone is interested…
As a ‘normal’ rider I’m aware I’ve totally overbiked here. I took it to Triscombe for a first blast. I always start the ride with a long climb as I love the final rocky downhill back to the car at the end.
Shapeshifter is really amazing. Looking from the side it looks like a tiny change, but when riding it really does change it to a different feeling bike, and it climbs really well in Trail mode. Very comfortable pedalling position and very little suspension bob. This difference between the two modes is enough that you’re unlikely to accidentally leave it in the wrong mode. You can drop the seat and hit the downhill mode in one move thanks to cleverly placed levers.
Downhill mode – I should say shred but I’m annoyed just thinking about the name. Chose some steep, rocky and root Triscombe routes that I know on my old bike were sketchy to say the least. This bike gives you major confidence on steep stuff and I was able to blast down. However the front end does feel quite heavy and very planted. The steering initially at least feels strange. It wants to go straight – almost like there is an invisible force returning the wheel back to pointing straight forwards all of the time. This may prove a good thing in time I guess. I suppose it’s a combination of a very long wheelbase and slack angles, plus it’s also the first 29er I’ve ridden. It may also be partly due to the stupidly wide handlebars, which I’ve cut down a bit but are still too big for me. In time I can see me hitting the steep stuff faster and with more confidence. Rear suspension I hardly noticed, which I guess means it’s working well.
Overall: a bike I can see me growing into. It doesn’t feel too heavy on flats or uphill but I do think the front end of the bike feels quite heavy. As a lighter rider I’d probably have chosen Fox 36’s rather than 38’s. I’m already thinking about lighter carbon wheels and carbon handlebars to offset the extra front end weight.
Overall: it doesn’t feel like a race only bike to me, but I can see that pointing down and going fast definitely suits it. The Shapeshifter definitely turns it into a bike that won’t be out of place on longer rides, but I would like it to be a bit lighter, especially at the front end. There is just over 2kg of wheels here so there is scope to lose about 600g fairly easily (if not cheaply…)
Andrew

Good to hear a ‘regular’ rider review.

I have a Canyon Spectral Al from some years ago. Really good. But I’m looking for something a bit newer. And a bit more … forgiving of ineptitude.

strive had not been on my list as it seemed just TOO MUCH bike. Especially with its super slack headtube. You made me think again. On the list.

“ It doesn’t feel too heavy on flats or uphill but I do think the front end of the bike feels quite heavy. As a lighter rider I’d probably have chosen Fox 36’s rather than 38’s. I’m already thinking about lighter carbon wheels and carbon handlebars to offset the extra front end weight.”

I don’t think it’s really to do with the components, it’s the long reach and steep seat angle changing your balance. You have to shift your hips back more to unweight the front vs an older bike.

Yep definitely that’s part of it. The front end is pretty heavy though!

Update after a few rides. This bike is amazing. It’s quite nimble and climbs great in trail mode. Riding position is perfect, especially noticeable on steep climbs where wheels always feel super planted. I’m getting up long steep climbs that more often than not I wouldn’t have managed on my old bike.
Downhill mode now I’m used to the slight preference for straight line blasting, I’m much more keyed in to the handling and not really finding it sluggish for more technical stuff.
Overall blown away by how good this bike is.
A word on the Fox 38s – I wasn’t too happy with them to start with. Since then I’ve removed both of the volume spacers and turned down all of the damping settings a bit – they feel 10X better now and I’m using almost all the travel on heavier hits. Rear shock has been great from the start.