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Canyon Lux Trail CF8 Bike Tech Check
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Canyon Lux Trail CF8 Bike Tech Check

Introduction

In this section, Guy Kesterman introduces himself as a professional biking kit reviewer and provides an overview of the Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 bike that he has been riding in the Yorkshire Dales.

Overview

  • Guy Kesterman is a professional biking kit reviewer.
  • The bike being reviewed is the Canyon Lux Trail CF-8.
  • The Lux Trail has the same flex day pivot rear end as the Lux XC bike used by professionals on the World Cup circuit.
  • The front end of the Lux Trail has been modified to make it more suitable for trail riding, with a longer length and slacker head angle.

Bike Sizing and Specs

In this section, Guy Kesterman discusses some of the sizing considerations for the Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 and highlights some of its key specs.

Sizing Considerations

  • The large size of the bike has a reach of 480mm and a head angle of 67.5 degrees.
  • The seat tube on this bike is 508mm long, which may be a deal breaker for riders with shorter legs who want to take advantage of the longer reach.

Key Specs

  • The bike comes with full SRAM AXS wireless shifting and wireless Reverb dropper posts.
  • The DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline wheels have carbon rims with a 30mm internal diameter, while Maxxis Recon Race tires provide good traction for cross-country riding.
  • Although there can be some lag in pickup with the DT Swiss 240 hubs, the RockShox Deluxe Ultimate suspension system provides a smooth ride.

Conclusion

In this section, Guy Kesterman concludes his review of the Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 and highlights some of its key features.

Final Thoughts

  • The Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 is a great bike for cross-country riders who want something with a bit more trail capability.
  • Although there are some minor issues with the rear hub, the bike's overall performance and value make it an excellent choice for riders looking to upgrade their equipment.

Handlebar Clearance and Frame Details

The handlebar clearance is relatively low due to the racy frame, but there is a locking system on the bars that prevents the controllers from hitting the top tube. The alloy bar is decent but stiff, causing more arm pump and fatigue out of the front end. The fork is a relatively simple charger damper in this sid select plus shot fork, which makes it thumping and rigid when pushing hard through stuff. There are some nice details on the frame such as internal cable routing, tapering pivot-free seat stays, big tapering chainstays with a chain protector on top, and a super neat little chain keeper tab.

Handlebar Clearance

  • The handlebar clearance is relatively low due to the racy frame.
  • A locking system on the bars prevents controllers from hitting the top tube.
  • Stem pointed down without spacer causes controller to smack into top tube.
  • Spacer underneath stem isn't an issue if flipped up.

Alloy Bar

  • Decent shape with 35mm diameter.
  • Stiff causing more arm pump and fatigue out of front end.

Fork

  • Relatively simple charger damper in this sid select plus shot fork.
  • Thumping and rigid when pushing hard through stuff.

Frame Details

  • Internal cable routing well up towards front with very little danger of rubbing paint.
  • Tapering pivot-free seat stays provide flex in back end without adding weight or complexity.
  • Big tapering chainstays with a chain protector on top.
  • Super neat little chain keeper tab sits on top of main pivot just behind chainring to stop chain jumping off when getting rowdy on bike.

Rear Axle, Brakes, Bottom Bracket & Geometry

The rear axle has a super neat long leverage quick release handle that pops out the 12mm rear axle. The bike has a flat mount rear brake for the level tlm brakes with only a 160mm rotor on the back, but you get a 180 mil front rotor for more power up front. It is a press fit bottom bracket in there, not threaded, so keep an eye on any looseness developing in the dub bottom bracket because that's more likely to cause an issue with the frame over time. The wheelbase is 1201 millimeters on this large and it's a 435 mil rear chainstay length.

Rear Axle

  • Super neat long leverage quick release handle that pops out the 12mm rear axle.

Brakes

  • Flat mount rear brake for level tlm brakes.
  • Only a 160mm rotor on back but you get a 180 mil front rotor for more power up front.

Bottom Bracket

  • Press fit bottom bracket instead of threaded.
  • Keep an eye on any looseness developing in dub bottom bracket because it's more likely to cause an issue with frame over time.

Geometry

  • Wheelbase is 1201 millimeters on this large.
  • Rear chainstay length is 435 mil across all canyon lux bikes.

Fixings and Weight

There are nice big five-millimeter bolts on main pivots and plenty of sturdy hard hardware. The bolt that holds the rear shock into this yoke is actually an eight-millimeter bolt. Overall weight for this bike was not mentioned.

Fixings

  • Nice big five-millimeter bolts on main pivots.
  • Bolt that holds rear shock into yoke is actually an eight-millimeter bolt.

Weight

  • Overall weight for this bike was not mentioned.

Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 Review

In this section, the reviewer discusses the weight of the bike and suggests some changes that could be made to improve its performance.

Suggestions for Improving Performance

  • The sid damper can be changed to the charger race day to save weight and make for a more supple fork.
  • Swapping to a carbon bar can also reduce arm pump and fatigue issues on longer rougher rides.

Live Ride Review

In this section, the reviewer recommends watching the live ride review of the Canyon Lux Trail CF-8 as it showcases both pros and cons of the bike's suspension and overall ride.

Pros and Cons Showcased in Live Ride Review

  • The live ride review showcases both pros and cons of the bike's suspension and overall ride.
  • While the value is great, there are some elements of the suspension and overall ride that are worth knowing about before committing to buying this Canyon Lux Trail CF-8.

Acknowledgements

In this section, the reviewer thanks various parties involved in making this review possible.

Parties Involved in Making This Review Possible

  • Thanks to Canyon for sending in their bike for testing.
  • Thanks to Xero Cycling, Crud, PT's for sponsoring Guy Kesteven TV.
  • Thanks to Patreon subscribers who get exclusive early access edits ad-free.
  • Thanks to viewers for watching, subscribing, clicking notifications, giving thumbs up.
Video description

Talking through the mostly excellent tech details on Canyon's top value half XC, half Trail, carbon fibre mountain bike. Make sure you watch the live ride video to see how it performs on the trail though as it might surprise you. Thanks to Giro, Peaty’s and Crud for sponsoring the channel, Canyon for sending the bike in for test and for my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: https://www.patreon.com/GuyKesTV?fan_landing=true Any questions get busy in the comments. Cheers Guy