Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF LTD in the test: Versatile Light E-MTB at an attractive price

E-MTB / Test: With the Canyon Neuron:ONfly, the direct mail order company from Koblenz presents its first light E-MTB. With a Bosch SX motor and 140 mm of suspension travel, it is very trendy, but can set itself apart from the competition in a few ways.

There have been rumors for a long time - but in the end it took a long time until Canyon finally presented its first light e-MTB: the Canyon Neuron:ON CF. The new addition to the Neuron portfolio is positioned in line with its namesakes in the portfolio and in keeping with the current light e-MTB trend as a sporty, versatile trail bike. Powered by the Bosch SX motor, it rolls on 29 inch wheels and has 140 mm of travel. The slim down tube of the carbon frame houses a 400 Wh battery, which, like many competitors, unfortunately cannot be removed for charging.

Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF: Key technical data

Drive: Bosch Performance Line SX
Battery pack: Bosch CompactTube 400
Suspension travel: 140 / 140 mm
wheel size: 29 inch
Frame material: Carbon

Weight: from 19 kg
Price: from € 4.849

Bosch SX drive: battery installed, ConnectModule as standard

Since its presentation at Eurobike last year, the... Bosch SX drive developed into what is undoubtedly the most popular light assist system on the market. With its system weight of around 4 kg (2 kg motor, 2 kg CompactTube 400), it is in the range of what the competitors from Fazua or TQ also offer. At the same time, however, the Bosch SX scores with a (temporary) maximum power of around 600 W, which is in the range of the well-known full-power drives from CX to Shimano EP801 to Brose Drive S-Mag. As an SX driver, you also enjoy the advantages of the now firmly established Bosch Smart System - including a great app, successful controls and, more recently, the PowerMore 250 range extender.

The SX drive only uses its high maximum performance under certain conditions, essentially as an automatic boost. This is activated when the driver suddenly pedals more and at the same time significantly increases his cadence (optimally >100). In this scenario, the engine actually achieves the performance that is otherwise known from CX and Co. - at least for a short period of 10-20 seconds. Ideal for tackling key areas or steep sections. However, outside of this dynamic boost, the Bosch SX also delivers considerable performance and is one of the most powerful Light Assist motors on the market.

Bosch Performance SX in the first test: Lighter, more compact... stronger?

Published: 19. June 2023

Test / E-Bike: With the Performance Line SX, Bosch presents its first lightweight mid-engine. Weighing around two kilograms, it has a maximum torque of 55 Nm and an impressive maximum output of 600 watts. It is supported by the CompactTube 400, a new battery and an optional range extender with […]

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The CompactTube 400 battery with 400 Wh in the down tube is responsible for the energy supply on the Neuron:ONfly. Unfortunately, this cannot be removed for charging. Canyon says this allowed them to save weight on the frame, and the down tube is of course noticeably stiffer without an opening intended for battery removal. Understandable arguments, but in practice a permanently installed battery still limits flexibility.

The drive on the new Canyon Light E-MTB is controlled via a combination of the system controller in the top tube and the wireless mini remote on the handlebars. So you have to do without a real display, which is absolutely bearable given the area of ​​application. Nice: Canyon has given the Neuron:ONfly a ConnectModule integrated into the specially developed motor cover in all equipment variants, which, in conjunction with the Bosch Flow app, allows the bike to be located via GPS and provides additional safety features.

Neuron = neuron = neuron

During the development of the new Canyon Light E-MTB, the name Neuron was decisive for the orientation and area of ​​​​application. Like the other two models - the bio-bike and the full-power Neuron:ON - the Neuron:ONfly is intended to be a versatile e-MTB for a brisk after-work ride through to longer trail trips on vacation or at the weekend. Canyon even says that the lightweight new addition is the most versatile E-MTB in its entire portfolio.

An important factor for the riding experience on an (e-)MTB is the rear triangle: For this reason, Canyon also uses a classic four-bar linkage on its light e-mountain bike. On other light E-MTBs in this suspension travel class, manufacturers are now increasingly foregoing a bearing in the rear triangle in order to save a few grams. Canyon had considered something similar during development, but according to their own statement they couldn't achieve the usual feeling of the Neuron rear end.

This “feeling”, which Canyon itself calls Triple Phase Suspension, is characterized by a sensitive response with high final progression. This means there is a lot of comfort on tours and in moderate terrain, but at the same time it is strong when the trail becomes more demanding. However, one adjustment has been made compared to the Neuron:ON: The anti-squat value is significantly higher on the ONfly in order to suppress rocking more and thus take into account the tendentially higher cadence in conjunction with the Bosch SX drive.

Chic frame with well thought-out features

Even though the Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF does not make any extravagant design maneuvers, the look of the frame is pleasing and appears quite rounded: Sure, for a light E-MTB, the bike has quite voluminous shapes on the bottom bracket and top tube, which also have a This is a consequence of the not very small SX motor on the bottom bracket.

But apart from the appearance, the frame of the Neuron:ONfly CF has some successful details that are not self-evident: All cables, lines and cables are guided via guides that are firmly laminated into the frame. This eliminates the need for annoying threading during maintenance work - if the cables had not been routed through the headset, there would be a few extra points. But even so, maintenance should be much easier here compared to some other e-MTBs.

Other nice features include the generously applied frame protection, especially in the rear triangle area, and the charging port cover with a magnetically secured flap. The cable of the PowerMore 250 range extender can be easily plugged in here. The distance to the crank is quite tight due to the side integration, but we didn't find any problems in practice.

Sporty geometry with new frame size XS

The geometry, like the rear triangle, was based on the “big brother” Neuron:ON, but the alignment was made a bit sportier. The main frame is a little longer and the head angle of 64,5° is fairly flat for a trail bike. The short seat tubes in all sizes are nice, which are then appropriately combined with dropper posts with a lot of travel. In size XS there is 150 mm, in S it is 170 mm, M and L come with 200 mm and XL even with 230 mm. If that's too much for you, you can reduce the stroke by up to 25 mm without tools.

The new frame size is In this size, the bike comes with 1,58 mm of travel and also a smaller chainring. It's nice that Canyon also serves this target group with an appropriate size.

Features Canyon Neuron: ONfly CF LTD test bike

We were able to test the new Canyon Light E-MTB in its top version: The Neuron:ONfly CF LTD comes at a price of 7.999 euros with powerful features that leave little to be desired. We were a little surprised when we looked at the hanging scales: at exactly 19 kg in frame size M and without pedals, the bike is a little heavier than we expected.

When it comes to the chassis, you get Fox Factory components with the 34 at the front and the regular float damper at the rear. Both are fine given the area of ​​application, but if you want to really have a blast with your trail bike, you might still have wanted a 36 and a shock with a compensation tank. The fact that Canyon uses the version with Fit4 damping for the fork has advantages and disadvantages: The significantly simpler setup is offset by a slightly weaker response and fewer adjustment options than with the Grip2 cartridge.

When it comes to gears and brakes, Sram has taken the top shelf: The Sram XX Eagle Transmission group is responsible for the gear range and reliable gear changes even under load. The bike comes to a stop thanks to Code Stealth Ultimate brakes with 200 mm discs at the front and rear. Nice: The rear derailleur is connected to the Bosch system via cable for power supply - one less battery to worry about.

A rare sight on an E-MTB in the price range under 10.000 euros are the carbon rims. These come from Reynolds, with tires from Schwalbe mounted on them: With the Hans Dampf in the soft rubber compound at the front and the Nobby Nic at the rear, they have chosen a successful combination for a trail bike, and the SuperTrail casing is also optimally dimensioned and offers a good balance of puncture protection and weight.

Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF: Equipment variants and prices

The Neuron:ONfly CF is available in four equipment variants between 4.849 euros and 7.999 euros. All models have the carbon frame in common, which only differs in the color. Unsurprisingly, there are no differences in the drive either; the Bosch SX is always used in conjunction with the CompactTube 400 in the down tube. There are also no differences in the tire combination of Hans Dampf and Nobby Nic and the in-house dropper post with a lot of travel. The Bosch ConnectModule is also directly integrated into all models.

The direct mail order company from Koblenz has managed to specify four equipment variants, all of which are “cheap” in their respective price ranges – in the truest sense of the word. Compared to the competitors, you get a strong overall package for the price quoted. The two cheaper versions in particular stand out: The Neuron:ONfly CF 8 because it has perhaps the best price/performance ratio and the CF 7 because it is the first E-MTB with a Bosch SX drive under the magical 5.000 euro price. limit is.

The Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF LTD on the trail

We tested the Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF LTD in a wide variety of terrain: from flat home trails in German forests to alpine terrain. No matter where you venture into the terrain with your bike, it becomes immediately clear – the Neuron:ONfly is a real fun machine. Thanks to the lively SX motor and light wheels, it's always easy to stay up to speed on flatter trails, and the central position on the bike ensures very intuitive handling and surprisingly smooth running. The latter was also evident on more demanding enduro trails, where the Canyon Light E-MTB was able to demonstrate amazing endurance qualities. Of course, given that it's "only" 140 mm, you have to slow down a bit here and there, but the very stiff frame and the successful geometry invite you to leave the brake open a little longer.

Given the really strong performance on the trail, you might wonder whether the bike could possibly benefit from a more powerful chassis. A Fox 36 at the front and a Float X at the rear perhaps? We would definitely like to try it out. But even so, we had a lot of fun with the bike in almost every area of ​​use. The joy of the descent is somewhat marred by the loud clattering of the SX engine, which unfortunately can hardly be ignored even after many meters of depth. It's a shame, because otherwise the bike is whisper quiet and neither the chain nor the cables make a sound.

You can find even more detailed practical impressions, including some thoughts on the subject of battery consumption and range, in our test video on YouTube:

Web

www.canyon.com