The top eye has Allen key slots, the bottom looks like a steel tube. How do I take the shock out for a service?

Do I just un-screw the adjoining pinch bolts and poke the steel tube through the eye of the shock? I understand they’re ‘needle bearings’ am I being over cautious with all my questions?

You’ve got it. Undo and poke through is the solution.

Thanks Twin, I presume all the needles won’t fall out?

The needle rollers should stay put if you are careful: they will be stuck in with whatever grease is in there.

While you are at it, you might want to check all your pivot bearings. I’ve had my Strive since July last year (though it was an ‘ex-demo’), and one of the bearings on the rocker, and one of the main pivot bearings were completely shot.

Thanks DeeW, sorry to ask but what exactly should I be looking for?…. movement in the linkage or just grinding pivot noises?

I have just had to replace all the bearings (10) on my strive. Had it 18 months so not too bad.
Word of warning though: keep an eye out for the washers. One on either side of each bearing, lost around 4/5 whilst rushing and still slight movement in swingarm

Did you get the bearings from canyon?

I got them locally (Spen bearings in halifax)
Quoted £60 plus £10 postage from Canyon
Paid around £40 here

After 2 months I’m back… Right, I’ve completely unscrewed the top Allen key, the nuts off but the shocks not budging. Do I just knock the bolt out with hammer and screwdriver? Thanks in advance.

to be honest crundi if your mechanically inept enough to be unsure how to remove a shock it’s probably best you get a shop to take care of it for you.

True I’m no Greace Monkey, but to be fair – none of the how-to videos appear to resemble what I am dealing with on the Canyon Strive. I always try to learn how to do things and ask politely for advice before sending it to a bike shop.

All sorted. To anyone with a Strive that needs to extract their shock, ‘tap’ the bolts out of both upper and lower outlets (I just used the end of an Allen key to punch it through). WD40 helps too. Cheers

Err to anyone with a Strive that needs to do likewise – the shock and pivot fasteners are all alu. Well worth checking they are all properly greased and will come undone ok. I have one where the top shock bolt is seized solid – I’ve rounded out the cap bolt trying to undo it. Probably due to lack of grease / alu oxidisation.

I should add that Canyon have been very helpful and are sending out a replacement kit. Careful drilling here we come….

theblackmount, so you recommend remove and check / grease all fastners? prob good tip. will check. cheers

Probably just unlucky / a one off. However alu is much softer obviously than HT steel / SS so very much easier to round out Allen bolts if they are over tightened or seized.