Views please:

Looking to get the Canyon hardtail alu 29er. But the question is, is the Grand Canyon AL 8.9 worth the extra 170 notes over the AL 7.9?

Specs are here (7.9) and here (8.9).

Main differences seem to me to be:

1) SLX/XT shifter/derailleur (7.9) versus SRAM X9 on the 8.9. I’ve had SRAM x7 before – how do the SLX/XT combo stack up?

2) Fox 32 Float CTD (on the 7.9) versus RS SID 29 RL on the 8.9

Not much between the elixir 3s and 5s I reckon and nothing in delivery times for my size/colour choice.

What are your views? Splash the £170 for the SIDs and X9 or bank the £170 and go with Fox/SLX/XT?

Cheers

SLX and XT is better than X9 IME.

SIDs and Fox are horses for courses really. I’ve had both, and both are nice. Not really much in it, weight I suppose….

Go with what you think looks nicer 😉 And I think the 5s are more reliable than the 3s, from what I remember reading on the forums.

Thanks Rickon. Anyone else? SIDs vs Fox Float? SRAM X9 vs SLX/XT?

Go with Shimano whenever presented with the option.

Fox & SLX would be my choice.

What he said ^^^^

Shimano and SID but that’s not an option. 🙁

Fox & SLX would be my choice.

+1

Cheers guys – looks like a green light for the Fox & SLX 7.9 then. Had to ask as I’ve only had SRAM & RS stuff before.

Reckon some of that saved cash on changing the chainrings from 36/22 to 38/24…

7.9 🙂

I have last years 8.9 – but,compareing the 2013 spec,i’d go for the 7.9.

in fact i asked the exact same question over last years bikes link

+1 fox and slx.

From a bike shop mechanic perspective i’d go for shimano/fox every day of the week, but please remember and look after your forks, get them serviced regularly or learn how to drop the lowers yourself, it only takes 20mins if the forks are removed to drop the lowers and pop the seals out, re-lube the foam rings,change the oil etc.

Get the model with the fox forks and slx/xt kit, sell the brakes and but some decent ones with the £170?

X9 = XT IME… and a lot nicer than SLX (having tried both in the last few months)
Also X9 is a decent way above X7.
Seems strange as everyone local here drops the Shimano drive train asap (there are boxes of it stripped off bikes out here) and puts SRAM on

I’d get the 8.9, I prefer the colour

What hazza says

hazza123 – Member

Get the model with the fox forks and slx/xt kit, sell the brakes and but some decent ones with the £170?

you wouldnt get £170 – more like £130, but you could still get a new set of SLX for that from bike-discount.de

Or a set of xt’s for £133 from rosé bikes

Monkeyboy – The £170 would be money he saved on not buying the other model, nevermind selling the brakes. Selling the brakes would be an added bonus but new ones will be a must.,

Id be tempted by the x9 and sid. Though I would immediately sell the sid and buy fox. But I dont enjoy rockshox and detest shimano gearing.

Shimano and SID but that’s not an option.

I’d want the RS fork with shimano drive too.

But given the choices on the table I’d save the £170 have reliable drive a parts and look after those forks…