Canyon Strive Review and Deep Dive Into ShapeShifter Tech
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- The Canyon Strive has been in the lineup at Canyon for the last 10 years, seeing a number of iterations over that time to keep it at the top level of performance and finding success under the control of many racers in the EWS. In 2015, Canyon brought an innovation to the market in the form of its Shapeshifter geometry adjustment system. Although polarizing, the Shapeshifter provided some clear benefits on the trail to those who got on board, earning its keep on both the race circuit and under the control of the consumers. This led to the development of the Shapeshifter 2.0 system that is found on the latest iteration of the Strive, which sports 150mm of rear travel paired with a 170mm fork and 29” wheels.
Though many have tried, the string of failures of on-the-fly geometry is long and very few remain, so there is a whole load of Kudos deserved for Canyon to maintain a model that contains such a system. A bike with dedicated climbing and descending modes is always going to be better than a halfway-house compromise, so a user-friendly implementation of such a system sits with us well at The Loam Wolf, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed putting the Strive to work.
The Shapeshifter-equipped Strive is available exclusively in Carbon Fiber, with two levels utilizing different grades and layups of Carbon. We tested the Canyon Factory Racing (CFR) frame, which features the higher grade of Carbon and allows Canyon to shave 300g off the weight of the standard carbon frame without compromising in stiffness or strength. The CFR spec frame is only available in a single high-end build, retailing for $6999/€5999, and the standard carbon frame is available in 3 builds: the $3999/€3199 Strive CF7; the $4999/€4199 CF8 and the €4999 CF9 (not available in North America). All these bikes share the same geometry, Shapeshifter system, 150mm travel and 170mm fork, with the differences lying in the parts spec.
Looking at the geometry chart for the Strive, you’d be forgiven for assuming it belongs to a bike from a few years ago, with a lack of the extreme length nor the steep seat tube angle of a trendy bike in 2021. However, the Strive is a bike designed to win races. If you scour the Enduro world series lineup you’ll notice that many of the racers are opting to down-size their rigs - think Richie Rude or Sam Hill, who have both enjoyed great successes on bikes that were “too small” for them. While ultimate stability no doubt makes it safer and less scary to go fast in a straight section of trail, there’s definite benefits to be found from a slightly more agile bike, especially for a rider at the upper end of the skill level, so the Strive’s geometry may have merit to those looking to put down as fast a time as possible over a day of Enduro racing. In the descending mode, a head angle of 65.4 degrees and seat tube angle of 72.9 degrees are paired with a 464mm reach and 645mm stack in our size Large, which has a 455mm seat tube that’ll accompany a good length dropper post. A 435mm chainstay and 32mm bb drop are common to the full S-XL size range and give the Large a wheelbase of 1234mm. Clicking into climb mode steepens the head angle and seat angle by 1.5 degrees to 66.9 degrees and 74.4 degrees respectively, combined with a reduced bb drop of 17mm to provide a preferable position to spin the pedals and ascend the hill. Although the seat angle had us pushing the seat as far forward on the rails as we could go, otherwise the geometry provided a solid platform to attack both the climbs and descents on, setting numerous PR’s on the way up hill yet still holding its own on the way down.
Chapters
00:00 - 1-20 Bike Spec
1:21 - 2:21 About the Strive
2:22 - 5:51 ShapeShifter Tech
5:52 - 9:45 Ride Report - Pros and Cons
9:46 - 10:32 Final Thoughts
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Funny how Jack Moir starts winning ews’s on this bike and everyone starts paying attention to it again hahaha. Just shows you don’t need modern geo to win races!
This bike definitely still has modern geometry, it's just not extreme. And honestly I'd bet it's a better choice for most than something with a 63 head angle and super long. Those bikes are great for straight line speed but you're giving up agility.
What we've been trying to tell everyone in our recent bike reviews!!
To be fair, he has a slacker headset on his
To be fair, Jack modded his Strive adding a 180mm fork and spacer to make a 64 degree head angle.
Just want to put my thoughts out there. I was riding the Enjoyro!! fun enduro in Peebles, Scotland at the weekend. Canyon had a demo stall there and I rode a size large Strive, immediately followed by a size large Spectral. Those folk saying a bike isn't progressive enough based on some numbers listen up. There was a long fireroad climb on demo loop and the spectral felt terrible. Reach is longer BUT with steeper seat angle, seated reach was way shorter putting you in what I felt was a terrible climbing position. Way to upright, couldn't get my lower back and glutes to work on the climb and the slacker head angle made the front end wander as well.
The Strive climbed so well in climb mode with a bit more seated reach. I've never jumped on a bike that I'm unfamiliar with and felt so instantly as home. Also considering shocks weren't set up correctly, it still felt great. A blast downhill, nimble in switchbacks and so fast on pedally, undulating terrain. The Spectral only shone going downhill where the steeper angles let you attack with a little more confidence but the Strive was the better all rounder. Unless your riding is purely assisted uplift followed by descents, then you'll probably be quicker on the less progressive bike!!!
Geo numbers are one thing but its how they translate out in real world riding that makes the difference. My problem with bikes getting longer and slacker is they are becoming adept at one thing, going down and if your riding involves actually pedalling anywhere then I dont think they work and thats based on a very recent back to back test. Thanks for reading to the end 😁
Thanks for the awesome input and sharing your story. Sounds like a great experience.
@@TheLoamWolf What height is Cole please. Working out which size strive I need. I'm 6'2 or 188cm. Thanks
I strongly disagree. The Strive is the most uncomfortable climber I've tested.
@@graemecrichton5858 Get size L. XL will be uncomfortable.
I have a 2019 strive and the shapeshifter tech has worked flawlessly for me! One of the big advantages I've found is the higher bottom bracket and less sag in click mode and how that helps through the techy sections of trail. Love the confidence this bike gives me on the descents. Feels so solid and sure of itself! Great do it all bike for any location.
Thanks for sharing
@@ark8tct If you look at the EWS Strives you will see that they have been modified, and have a different Head Tube angle than the production models. Great bike, i love mine, but they are a bit different for EWS. The Strive really is a long travel trail bike, which I love here in Idaho. I hit bike parks and long trails with it.
@@ark8tct Yes, spacers and I imagine some other items.
@@briangarner Will be headset cups presumably?
Great review
I’m absolutely stoked to be on my 2019 CF7. It’s a legitimate all rounder where I can ride my local XC, Flow, Gravity Enduro and Downhill runs, not missing any of the big features. The bike handles my 110kg on big drops and jumps easily, despite running the Fox Performance Elite fork with “only” 160mm of travel and I look forward to swapping out the air spring to 170mm soon. Not bad for a “trail bike” is it??
New strive is here.. looking forward to a comparison / updated review! Do I need to upgrade?
Do you prefer the feel of the spectral or the strive overall?
SO just one wish, new design canyon strive
Curious on the durability of the shapeshifter- I am looking at getting a strive but my mechanic says not to because of the fragility of the shapeshifter (I crash more than most)
Where is that jumpline?
Not sure if I missed it but what is the weight?
Claimed weight for the CFR is 14.25kg (31.4lbs) at the top of the range and 15.61kg (34.4lbs) for the entry level CF 7.
I love how he calls it a trail bike when it’s Canyons race enduro bike 😂
Imo its the rider not the bike... tell me im wrong
Of course it is, but give the same rider a slightly better bike and chances are he’ll go slightly faster… so that old adage is pretty pointless 🤷🏼♂️
Love my 2019 Strive, but the Geo is long in the tooth, it was not progressive enough in 2019, and is looking older everyday. Head Angle should have started at 65 degrees and moved to 64, and the seat tube angle is unforgivable at this point. That said, i love the bike, the frame has been SOLID! and taken a beating. The price for what you get is also unbeatable. The hubs and brakes were the low point on the build I bought. Had to be replaced.
I will buy again, if a new Strive comes out again with new updates.
So you’re saying the bike is great and has been solid, and it’s still reasonably good value but the numbers on the geo sheet aren’t what you want? Do spec numbers really matter?
Not being a dick here, I’m genuinely interested in your thoughts as this is on my shortlist come upgrade time.
@@Mockle07 I thought the review picked up on the short comings, this isn’t a true Enduro bike, but I don’t want a radical true Enduro, I ride a lot of single track. Love this bike as a trail bike occasional park bike. It’s great for that, I love how maneuverable it is. Really they tried to make a one quiver enduro, when I think it is more of a one quiver trail. It’s great for me, and I think most riders, but if you’re looking for a Specialized Enduro type bike, look elsewhere. I want the shapeshifter to be more.
@@briangarner No I’m with you - my bike will be trail with the occasional park/Enduro so a capable/aggressive trail bike makes more sense than a pure Enduro bike. I love the Spesh Enduro but realistically it’s too much bike for me and my riding.
@@ark8tct The bike you buy is not the one winning EWS, but it isn’t that far off. That is what I’d like the shapeshifter to do. Give the little bit extra, and move the seat post a little. The bike isn’t perfect, no bike is.
If you look on paper, this isn’t a modern enduro bike. That’s not a bad thing.
@@Mockle07 Might be interested in my comment if Strive on your shortlist.
In which position have you measured the reach : downhill or pedaling position ?
Reach wouldn’t change on this bike would it since the SS doesn’t affect that part of the frame? It lays the bike back in clack where on mine it feels like it only alters my body position. Conversely in click I feel a slight forward bias in my upper body.
@@drappennen5704 It does change the reach.
Funny that this dude says it’s a trail bike even though it is the enduro race bike from canyon
Odd how Canyon calls it their enduro bike but you guys call it a trail bike 😂
It’s a pretty long travel trail bike isn’t it?😉😆
@@drappennen5704 I’ve got an old 2018 Norco Sight 29er with 150mm and 130mm rear short travel and a mid travel 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT 160mm and 150mm rear. Times have changed.
So no changes for 2022? I really thought this was due a bit of an update.
I think this is still the 2021 bike
@@shigshag3111 I think you’re right. One of the guys said “2022” though which threw me.
As of right now, we're unaware of any major changes/redesigns coming and Canyon (and our testers) feel that the bike is more than capable as is. Not to say there may not be an update down the road, but we don't think it's going to be in the next 6-10 months.
@@TheLoamWolf Thanks for clarifying. The “outdated geometry” (according to some) doesn’t really bother me, but it would annoy me if I pulled the trigger soon then a brand new model came out right after.
Out of interest, how would you guys rate the Strive up against a similarly spec’d Spesh Enduro (price aside!!)
Well, the Enduro is a shredder for sure. We'd say it depends on rider style, and location. The Specialized is going to favor new school trails/riders, bike parks etc. The Canyon is going to take the edge big time in climbing, will also be faster and more nimble on techy terrain, slower tighter trails and the like... If we lived in Squamish or Bellingham and rode mega jump and flow trails we'd pick differently than if we lived in Bend, Phoenix, Tennessee or the East Coast.
One of my riding mates is on the Canyon Neuron . He came off on a lumpy Scottish blue trail , no obstacles, no drama , not anything really but a bent and disproportionatly damaged rear chainstay...conclusion from all our riding heads butting against each other... equating similar or tbh much worse tumbles .....is these Canyon frames are tin foil.
This bike is not progressive enough for 2021. At HA 65.2, that is the HA of all the Enduro bike's back in 2018. Now, today all the progressive bike have HA of 64-63 degrees.
So what? I know, I’ll bring out a bike with a 61.4 HA… does that make it automatically better than everything else? 🤔