Currently, many manufacturers are launching their cross-country frames with a longer shock and modified rocker and positioning them as down-country bikes. Not so Canyon, who have given the Lux Trail its very own frame with the DNA of the Lux. This kills two birds with one stone: racers now want more suspension travel and recreational riders want light and fast bikes with racing genes.

Find out more about the new Lux here: news release

We were able to test the Lux Trail on various trails for a day shortly before its launch:

Thanks to the central riding position, the Lux provides a lot of propulsion. If you switch to the pedal stroke, the rear end hardens and you sprint like the pros. The steering behavior is agile and playful on flat terrain as well as downhill. Even when riding the bike at the limit, you always have good control over it.

Climbs are mastered with ease, whether on paved paths or single trails. If it gets rough uphill, the rear follows well over steps and roots. If you have to pedal uphill very slowly due to the gradient, the front is slightly nervous, but not annoying. You are well advised to keep the front low: sweep the 6-degree stem downwards and remove as many spacers as possible. This gives the required pressure on the front wheel and also improves the downhill handling characteristics.

The suspension is race-tuned and has a high level of damping, which applies to the shock as well as the fork. Nevertheless, the Canyon absorbs small and medium bumps well. If things get bumpier, the Lux Trail releases the entire suspension travel, but never hits hard. The linear rear end is particularly pleasing, it feels just as you would expect from a down-country bike: as firm as a racing machine with a bit more comfort. Nevertheless, what provides good climbing characteristics uphill is not quite as forgiving downhill as the suffix "Trail" would suggest. People associate it with other attributes. "Lux Extra" might have been a more appropriate name.

Conclusion

The Canyon Lux Trail is a down-country bike as it should be. It's the ideal fun machine for anyone who prefers to ride uphill rather than down and needs a little reserve on the descents, but doesn't want to squeeze the last drop out of their bike. Nevertheless, the bike is fun to ride downhill thanks to its liveliness. Flow trails and routes that aren't too rough can be ridden down with plenty of speed.

Recommendation

As mentioned above, a low cockpit significantly improves the riding characteristics. If you combine this with a little more SAG than usual, you get the maximum out of the Lux Trail. If you ride a lot in the Alps and have to master steep ramps, it's best to switch from a 34 mm chainring to a smaller one.

Geometry

All data here: link

Manufacturer/distribution

www.canyon.com