Cross-country races are, by definition, fast—and today more than ever. In 2016, the average speed of Mountain Bike World Cup cross-country races was 18 km/h. Today, it’s already 24 km/h. Even longer races are getting faster and faster. Winners of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race now reach average speeds of 28 km/h.

Those who ride fast win races. But cross-country bikes have some catching up to do in certain areas. To be the first to cross the finish line, every possible advantage must be exploited. The long-standing principle of building a bike as light and efficient as possible is no longer enough today. As speeds increase, aerodynamics are becoming more important. At the same time, classic mountain bike frames and components do not allow for truly aerodynamic riding positions without posing significant safety risks.

With the full-suspension cross-country prototype Lux Era, Canyon presents a possible solution to this challenge. The bike’s striking front end features a cockpit reminiscent of the radical double-decker handlebars found on earlier generations of the Canyon Grail gravel bike. The advantage for the rider lies in the additional lower grip position, which is designed to enable a particularly aerodynamic riding position.

The aerodynamic concept also includes a tapered head tube profile, an upside-down fork design, 32-inch wheels, and a computer integrated into the top cap. This is intended to combine modern aerodynamics with the handling required for high speeds in race conditions.

“There are currently three problems in the world of cross-country racing. The races are getting faster, so athletes have to ride faster. In doing so, they resort to solutions that can be dangerous. And they don’t have enough handlebar positions available to maintain aerodynamic positions for long periods,” explains Fedja Delic, chief designer at Canyon.

With the Lux Era, Canyon aims to enable riders to ride with a low, aerodynamic position without further increasing the risk of a crash. Instead of merely making the frame’s tube profiles more aerodynamic, Canyon’s concept fundamentally questions why today’s cross-country mountain bikes look the way they do.

A key feature of the Lux Era is the double-decker cockpit. It offers additional grip positions and is designed to provide greater safety in deep, aerodynamic positions. This is particularly relevant because the rider accounts for about 70 percent of the aerodynamic drag. The inverted fork design is intended to offer several advantages, including greater stiffness, more stable braking performance, less unsprung mass, better lubrication, and more precise handling. At the same time, the integrated and narrower fork crown contributes to improved aerodynamics.

A minimalist computer display reduces drag in the cockpit area and provides the rider with important information such as speed, distance, time, power, and heart rate. The larger 32-inch wheels are designed to roll more easily over obstacles, lose less speed, offer more traction, and increase comfort. A cutout in the frame also allows a direct view of the shock, making it easier to adjust the negative travel.

“In World Cup or marathon races, athletes are constantly trying to go even faster. Every second counts all the more. With a conventional cockpit, you eventually hit a limit. We need a solution that lets us ride more aerodynamically and hold that position longer,” says Luca Schwarzbauer of “Canyon XC Racing.”

In addition to wheels that lose less energy and the reduced drag from the cockpit, frame, and fork, greater comfort and safety in aerodynamic positions are crucial factors for a faster cross-country mountain bike.

The Lux Era is currently just a prototype. The bike has not yet been submitted to the Union Cycliste Internationale for approval. For now, pros like Luca Schwarzbauer and Jenny Rissveds won’t be competing with it in World Cup races. The bike is currently being tested by athletes and in a wind tunnel to evaluate its potential performance benefits.

canyon.com