With the launch of the Enduro World Series in 2013, French downhill legend Fabien Barel and bike manufacturer Canyon began a successful collaboration in what was then a new discipline. The fact that Canyon returned to a former success story in 2023 for a first ride test of the motorized enduro bike Strive:ON is therefore a nice story and offered Ride the opportunity to get a first intensive impression of the enduro e-mountainbike.

With the expert support of Fabien Barel, who is a qualified engineer himself, setting up the suspension on a new e-mountainbike is child's play. The Canyon Strive:ON we rode with its solid Shimano XT equipment and Fox Performance suspension soon felt familiar. The Bosch CX motor provides reliable support and the traction remains easy to control even on the sometimes steep ramps of the gravel road to the first trail. Downhill, the Strive:ON exudes confidence, the faster the better. The mullet bike really comes into its own on technical trails, as the smaller rear wheel allows you to ride uphill lines that would only be possible for very good riders with a 29-inch rear wheel. After Fabien Barel's visual lesson, the given line is still a challenge, but no longer seems unrideable.

The trails in the area around Monte Alma  near Scarlino, which are typical of the Enduro World Series, are the ideal testing ground for a potent e-mountainbike that is designed to be versatile. The ground changes from wooded to sandy to rocky within a few meters, requiring the rider to adapt quickly. The agility of the Strive:ON in combination with its smooth ride at higher speeds and good-naturedness when a rocky patch needs to be ironed out is impressive. The suspension works very reliably, absorbs even big bumps on steps and helps to maintain traction when braking. The low center of gravity of the motor and battery is noticeable, but without negatively affecting maneuverability in hairpin bends.

Reliable support and well thought-out battery compartment

The built-in 750 watt-hour battery still shows more than 20 percent remaining capacity despite more than 1000 meters of altitude and around 30 kilometers ridden in E-MTB or Turbo mode from Bosch. Nevertheless, the battery is changed for a second lap, which only requires loosening a screw to remove the skid plate. Once this cover is removed, release the battery lock and pull it out of the down tube. Insert the new battery along the integrated guide rails, but make sure that the lock is clicked in correctly at the end. Otherwise, the battery may shift slightly due to vibrations during the ride, resulting in a loss of motor power. The cover plate only serves to protect the frame and motor, but does so very reliably.

The Strive:ON was tested on these trails

The trails ridden with the Canyon Strive:ON on Monte d'Alma in Tuscany can be ridden on a first-class enduro tour with both an e-mountainbike and an enduro bike. Depending on your preference, it may be worth using a bike shuttle to save energy for the sometimes challenging single trails.

ride.ch/touren/monte-dalma-enduro