Test / E-MTB: On paper, the Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 appears to be an attractively priced touring E-MTB with an almost unrivaled low weight in its class. In practice it turns out to be a pleasantly sporty and lively trail bike, although its features slow it down a bit.
The Neuron from Canyon has always been a real cross-border in the portfolio of the manufacturer from the Rhineland. This also applies to the motorized version Neuron:ON in 2023: Located somewhere between a touring and trail bike, the bike aims to appeal to a broad audience. For this purpose, the carbon frame is given a powerful Bosch CX motor and a 750 Wh battery in the down tube. The fact that the weight remains under 29 kg despite the 140-inch wheels and 23 mm of suspension travel is also due to the fact that the battery is unfortunately permanently installed and cannot be removed for charging.
The balancing act of the Neuron:ON can also be seen in the component list. On the one hand, there are powerful 4-piston brakes, which, like the gears, come from Shimano's XT series. The robust DT Swiss wheels and the in-house vario support with a generous 170 mm stroke also underline the all-rounder's trail ambitions. The minimalist operating concept of the Bosch drive without a display, instead with a system controller and mini remote, fits in well with this. On the other hand, the rather simple Fox chassis with a slim Fox 34 at the front and the lightweight Schwalbe Nobby Nic wouldn't be out of place on a comfortable touring bike.
| Frame | Canyon Neuron:ON CF |
| Fork | Fox 34 performance |
| Drive | Bosch CX |
| Battery | Bosch Power Tube 750 |
| Suspension shocks | Fox Float DPS Performance |
| Wheels | DT Swiss HLN350 |
| Tire VR | Schwalbe Nobby Nic SuperGround Speedgrip |
| Tire HR | Schwalbe Nobby Nic SuperGround Speedgrip |
| Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100 |
| Shifter | Shimano XT M8100 |
| Crank | FSA 762 |
| Front derailleur | Without |
| Brake | Shimano XT M8120 |
| Brake discs | Shimano 203/203mm |
| Seatpost | Canyon Iridium 170mm (L) |
| Saddle | Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 |
| Stem | Canyon: ON ST0031 |
| Handlebar | Canyon:ON HB0056 Riser bar |
The Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 on the trail
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 420 | 440 | 460 | 480 |
| Reach (mm) | 435 | 460 | 485 | 510 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 631 | 641 | 650 | 659 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
| Real seat angle (in °) | 68.6 | 69.3 | 69.9 | 70.2 |
| Bottom bracket drop (in mm) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| chainstays (in mm) | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1203 | 1232 | 1256 | 1285 |
This ambivalence is also clearly noticeable while driving. The geometry of the bike is sporty and invites you to keep your finger off the brakes the first time you set off on the terrain. However, the tires with their thin carcass, which don't have much grip, quickly remind you to take things a little more moderately. The fork is also not necessarily in its element when it comes to hard, fast hits and can't keep up with the great rear end. Nevertheless, the Neuron:ON is an enormously fun bike with huge potential on the trail and, despite the deficits in the equipment, performs better than some self-proclaimed enduros.
In 2023, there won't be much need to say more about the powerful, although not necessarily silent, Bosch CX. Hardly any other engine manages so well to combine support performance, dynamics and controllability. Together with the central seating position, the Neuron:ON also becomes a suitable companion for technical uphill sections.
