Canyon Precede:ON review: Form follows function?

Test: With the Canyon Precede:ON, the direct mail order company from Koblenz recently expanded its steadily growing portfolio of e-bikes. The stylish newcomer is primarily at home in the city and comes with a number of unique features.

Unmistakably Canyon: The direct seller has now achieved what many other manufacturers fail to do despite decades of experience – a Canyon can usually be recognized as such at first glance. Form language and design are firmly part of the identity of the Koblenz company and this can hardly be seen more clearly on any other bike in the portfolio than on the Precede:ON, which was presented a few weeks ago.

Visually, the relationship between the new Canyon e-bike and the non-motorized commuter can hardly be denied. The striking head tube area including the integrated cockpit also play a role, as do the angular frame shapes and the deeply lowered top tube, which creates a pleasingly low standover height even with the classic men's frame. These optical features could also be transferred to a step-through frame – the first of its kind at Canyon, by the way – with which both Precede:ON models are also available. Both frames have their material in common: Here the designers fully rely on carbon. The material not only reduces the weight, but also enables the level of system integration that is a key feature of the new Canyon Urban Bike. Unfortunately, together with the consistently high-quality equipment, it also causes the steep price. The Canyon Precede:ON ranges between 4.000 and 5.000 euros depending on the equipment variant.

Bosch CX motor with 500 Wh battery

In terms of drive, Canyon uses the latest Bosch Performance CX motor in conjunction with a Kiox display and a 500 Wh battery that sits in the down tube. 500Wh? One or the other may frown a bit at this, as the 625 Wh have now almost established themselves as the standard, especially with the 85 Nm powerful CX unit and in this price range. Canyon may have opted for the smaller version for two main reasons. On the one hand, the Powertube 500 is over half a kilogram lighter and thus contributes to the really good weight of less than 23 kg. On the other hand, thanks to its compact dimensions, it can also be integrated more elegantly and easily into the frame. The Canyon has a nice solution anyway: The battery sits under a cover cap and can be easily removed from the top. In our test, the bike achieved a realistic range of between 50 and 60 km. In our opinion, this is definitely sufficient for a bike whose area of ​​use is in urban areas.

Maximum integration: The cockpit of the Canyon Precede:ON

Now we've already said a word or two about the striking frame design - but the cockpit is also inseparably linked to it, which is certainly one of the highlights of the Canyon Precede:ON. Like the frame, the handlebar and stem unit is made of carbon and not only integrates an elegant holder for the Kiox display, but also the brakes: Canyon worked together with TRP on this and the result is really impressive. The entire disc brake transmitter disappears inside the handlebars, only the levers themselves can be seen. Since the Mini2 headlight from Supernova also nestles tightly against the underside of the stem and all cables and lines are routed internally, you get an extremely minimalist, tidy cockpit. On our test bike, there is even no gear lever due to the Enviolo Automatic hub.

Our test bike: The Canyon Precede:ON 9 CF

We had the Precede:ON 9 for testing, which, in addition to the parts mentioned, brings out the heavy artillery, especially in the gearshift. An Enviolo Automatic hub gear is installed here in connection with a Caron belt from Gates. This promises high shifting comfort and few maintenance worries. Perfect for use in the city.

Good-natured, versatile city companion

You have to get used to the Canyon Precede:ON for the first few meters. It definitely rides differently than pretty much every urban e-bike we've had in the editorial office in the past. The first thing that struck us was the geometry, which is particularly noticeable in the stoic straight-line stability of the stylish e-bike. The chain stays, which are almost 500 mm long, are probably responsible for this, as they always keep the bike on track, but also require a little more steering effort when things get a little tighter. In connection with the conspicuously high front, there is a certain harmony, which clearly puts the focus on comfort and smooth running. Bull's eye for those who want a good-natured city companion - if you value agility more, you should think twice about purchasing it.

The very low bottom bracket with an offset of 80 mm is also unusual for a bike in this class. This placement also contributes to the extremely safe driving experience on the straights, but requires a bit of concentration when cornering. If the foot is in the wrong crank arm down here, contact with the ground is almost inevitable.

Our large test bike was perfect for a 1,87m tall rider and we didn't feel the need to make any ergonomic adjustments. Luckily, because of the special cockpit construction, you are severely restricted in this regard. The selection of frame sizes and shapes, on the other hand, is absolutely exemplary. In addition to the men's frame that we ride, which is available in three sizes (M / L / XL), there is also a step-through frame that should not only please those who want a particularly low step-through, but also small riders: In XS there is also a suitable variant for people under 1,60m - unfortunately a rarity these days.

Automatic switching with light and shadow

We would describe our relationship with the Enviolo automatic transmission as a love-hate relationship. Due to the lack of a shift lever, you have to do without manual intervention completely and leave the gear ratio change entirely to the control of the planetary gear. However, you can set your preferred cadence via the Kiox display, which works well, even while riding. As a sporty driver, however, you have to get used to it quite a bit and when changing speed quickly it can happen that you step into the void or would rather drive a few meters at a higher cadence. On the other hand, the comfort when driving along is great and you get used to the fact that you don't have to worry about gear changes almost alarmingly quickly...

Comfortable rear meets stiff front

Unfortunately, the driving comfort itself cannot quite keep up with the high shifting comfort of the Enviolo hub. Canyon has given its urban e-bike 2,25″ wide G-One Allround tires from Schwalbe on 27,5 inch wheels - a good choice - but on bad roads, cobblestones or forest highways, the front end is rather on the hard side. No wonder: the rigid fork and carbon cockpit offer little room for flex. It looks much better at the rear, which is certainly also due to the VCLS support, which we also found in the Grail CF gravel bike know and appreciate. On bad roads, however, the non-existent rattling is positive. Rarely have we sat on an urban e-bike that didn't make an annoying rattling sound, even with the heaviest rumble. Thumbs up!

The Canyon Precede:ON shines when it comes to payload and mounting options. The Racktime luggage carrier at the rear can be loaded with up to 25 kg and even if you have to do without a spring clamp, Ortlieb bags, for example, can be attached to the corresponding rail. The fork also offers mounting points for a lowrider rack, which can then "only" be loaded with 5 kg. Anyone who likes to transport their offspring in a trailer can order a suitable coupling for Croozer trailers with the Precede:ON. The permissible total weight of the bike is 140 kg.

Canyon Precede:ON trim levels and models

The Precede:ON is available in two configurations - both of them of course with the step-through frame and the classic diamond frame. Although the Precede:ON 700 and Precede:ON 9 cost around 8 euros, you shouldn't just reduce the equipment differences to the difference in price and quality; the biggest difference concerns the gears and thus has a not insignificant influence on the handling and character of the commuter.

While the top variant we tested with its Enviolo Automatic relies on maximum comfort and carelessness - not without compromises - the Precede:ON 8 classic is equipped with a derailleur gear system. Of course you have to shift gears yourself, but you have more control over the gear changes and thanks to the Shimano 12-speed system you also have a noticeably larger range. The other equipment is largely the same, unfortunately you have to do without the very good VCLS support on the cheaper model variant.

Canyon Precede:ON 9

Loom: Canyon Precede:ON
Engine: Bosch Performance CX 4th Gen
Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 500
Circuit: Enviolo Automatic
brakes: Canyon GP0164 by TRP
Lighting: Supernova Mini2 / Tail Light

Price: € 4.869

Canyon Precede:ON 8

Loom: Canyon Precede:ON
Engine: Bosch Performance CX 4th Gen
Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 500
Circuit: Shimano Deore / Deore XT 12-speed
brakes: Canyon GP0164 by TRP
Lighting: Supernova Mini2 / Tail Light

Price: € 4.189

Website

www.canyon.com