Canyon has launched its updated Lux WorldCup cross-country bike with a significant update which it's claiming to be 'probably the lightest full-suspension frame in the world'. There's more than just weight saving though, Canyon says that new geometry and frame details such as the use of CeramicSpeed bearings make the Lux World Cup more capable and reliable, too.
In the last year, we have seen a number of the best lightweight mountain bikes get an update which has been brought on by the increasingly demanding race courses. Canyon has been busy over the last few months refreshing many of its bikes and we suspected that the Lux was in line for a well-overdue update when our eagle-eyed tech editor spotted a secret Canyon Lux at Absa Cape Epic this year. The same bike, which was spotted due to its new rear-end design, was also raced at Leogang with Loana Lecomte taking the Elite Women's win and at Nova Mesto where Luca Schwarzbauer came out top at the Elite Men's short-track.
There is a lot more to the new Lux World Cup than just a new rear end though and while the frame layout stays visually unchanged, there should be some noticeable updates to the ride feel. The somewhat outdated geometry has been updated with a longer reach (15 mm) a slacker head angle at 68.5-degrees (-1.5 degrees), shorter chainstays (5mm), and a steeper seat angle of 75-degrees (+0.5 degrees). The wheelbase is also slightly longer, increasing by 16 mm to 1142mm in a size medium.
The shock position and rocker link have also been tweaked which has, in turn, altered the anti-squat and general kinematics to improve climbing efficiency. The CFR model also comes with CeramicSpeed SLT bearings which are self-lubricating, corrosion resistant, and come with a lifetime warranty. The frame features tool-free rear Quixle, Impact Protection Unit to prevent the handlebars from rotating and crushing the bike’s top tube, and a chain guide that's so light that the mounting bolt is actually heavier than the guide itself.
Probably the lightest full-suspension frame in the world
While Canyon is being tight-lipped around the lightest full-suspension frame claim, it's leaving no ambiguity around the Lux's weight. The Lux comes in CF and CFR versions, with the latter featuring Canyon's premium carbon construction and the lowest weight.
The magic number is a claimed 1,535g which Canyon says is a saving of 125g over the previous model. That might not seem like a lot but represents a significant feat considering it still meets the same Category 3 testing standards as its trail bikes, such as the Neuron.
We had a look at some of the other top cross-country mountain bike frame weights to get an idea of just how much difference that 125g makes. By our reckoning and the manufacturer's claimed weights, the Lux World Cup CFR bests the previously considered lightest XC frame, the S-Works version of Specialized's Epic EVO (1,659g) by 124g. The Lux World Cup CFR also beats other notable lightweights such as Giant's Anthem Advanced Pro (1,735g, non live-valve) and Orbea's Oiz OMX at 1,740g.
Canyon's quoted values are based on raw frames with decals, admittedly these comparisons are all based on claimed weights so the playing field could be a very different affair in 'real life'.
The weight savings have mostly been made around the rear end and suspension linkages. Like the previous bike, the new Lux uses a flex pivot but saves weight on the hardware: new carbon injection-molded shock extensions and the carboncompression molding CFR frame rocker.
Despite being the cheaper version, the Lux World Cup CF is still light in its own right. The CF's 1,925g frame weight puts it in line with Trek's Supercaliber (1,933g), Santa Cruz Blur 4 (1,933g), and Merida Ninety-Six RC (2,064g).
Canyon Lux World Cup availability, range, and specs
Canyon will launch four Lux World Cup models, with two CFR and two CF models available in all markets outside the United States. For riders outside the USA, World Cup CF models are available immediately on Canyon.com and CFR models will launch on the site in August.
Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Ltd
- Frame: Lux WC CFR,
- Suspension: RockShox SID SL Ultimate (100mm) / RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate (100mm)
- Groupset: SRAM XX Eagle AXS
- Cranks: SRAM XX Carbon
- Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XRC1200
- Tires: Maxxis Ikon 2.35 TR + EXO
- Handlebar: Canyon CP0008 (740mm)
- Stem: Canyon CP0008 (70mm)
- Seatpost: Canyon SP0061 CF
- Saddle: Ergon SR10 Pro Carbon
- Price: $8.449 / £7.599 / €7.999
Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team
- Frame: Lux WC CFR,
- Suspension: FOX 32 SC Factory (100mm) / FOX Float DPS Factory RMT (100mm)
- Groupset: Shimano XTR
- Cranks: Race Face Next SL G5
- Brakes: Shimano XTR
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XRC1200
- Tires: Maxxis Ikon 2.35 TR + EXO
- Handlebar: Canyon CP0008 (740mm)
- Stem: Canyon CP0008 (70mm)
- Seatpost: Canyon SP0061 CF
- Saddle: Ergon SR10 Pro Carbon
- Price: $7.399 / £6.649 / €6.999
Canyon Lux World Cup CF 7
- Frame: Lux WC CF
- Suspension: FOX 32 SC Performance Elite (100mm) / FOX Float DPS Performance Elite RMT
- Groupset: Shimano XT
- Cranks: qwertyuiop
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheelset: Reynolds TR 309/289c XC
- Tires: Maxxis Ikon 2.35 TR + EXO
- Handlebar: RaceFace Ride (740mm)
- Stem: RaceFace Ride (70mm)
- Seatpost: Race Face Ride
- Saddle: ERGON SR10 Sport Pro CrMo
- Price: $4.549 / £4.099 / €4.299
Canyon Lux World Cup CF 6
- Frame: Lux WC CF
- Suspension: FOX 32 SC Performance Elite (100mm) / FOX Float DPS Performance Elite RMT
- Groupset: Shimano SLX
- Cranks: Shimano SLX
- Brakes: Shimano SLX
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XR1900
- Tires: Maxxis Ikon 2.35 TR + EXO
- Handlebar: RaceFace Ride (740mm)
- Stem: RaceFace Ride (70mm)
- Seatpost: Race Face Ride
- Saddle: ERGON SR10 Sport Pro CrMo
- Price: $3.699 / £3.349 / €3.499
