2024 Canyon Neuron:ON CF 9 review

We've ridden mid-travel bikes before that were very similar to the more common 160mm travel bikes. Comparable weight, similar geometry, same wheels. And we've wondered; why? What's the upside of going mid-travel if you get the same bike, only less capable?

Then there's the cheap mid-travel bikes with entry-level components, narrow 32mm stanction forks and such. Fine for transport and travel on gravel, but not what we'd call a proper, capable emtb. Is the Canyon Neuron:ON CF a proper mid-travel emtb, a bike that makes sense? Watch the video to find out or keep on reading.

Specs​

The fork is an unusual pick for a full power emtb. Still, the Rockshox Pike Ultimate is a very good fork. We usually get heavier and more rigid forks on emtbs, but Canyon can get away with it due to the shorter 140 mm of travel.

For rear suspension duty we get the basic Rockshox Deluxe Select shock. It’s a bit strange getting the entry-level Select shock combined with the top-of-the-line Ultimate fork.


The tyres too are something we’re not used to seeing on a full power emtb, the Schwalbe Nobby Nic (29x2.4”) with the harder Speedgrip rubber compound. We’re used to getting heavier tyres with softer, grippier rubber.

It’s not all light components thought, the Sram Code RSC is a powerful brake. And the Sram AXS GX Transmission is a great, 12-speed drivetrain. It shifts well under load and the solid rear derailleur can take a beating without going out of alignment. The Sram Transmission system has done away with the dropout, the derailleur is attached directly to the frame, or rather, directly to the rear axle.



The Neuron:ON CF 9 comes with the powerful Bosch Performance CX 85 Nm motor. And Canyon is saving no weight going with the big 750 Wh battery which is non-detachable, fixed inside the carbon frame.

So, not the tyres and forks I'm used to finding on a long wheelbase emtb. But this unusual mix of components makes sense. It differentiates the Neuron:ON CF from the usual full-fat emtbs. And the weight ends up being about 23 kg without pedals. That’s 2-3 kg lighter than many 150-160 mm travel full-power bikes. A good weight for a powerful emtb with a big battery.

Geometry​

The test bike in size L is a pretty big bike. For us at just over 180 cm, it's on the big side, and I would very likely be happy having a size M. It seems Canyons are sizing a tad on the big side.



The head angle is 65.5*, that’s a whole 2* slacker than the original from 2019. The chainstays are longer and measure 450 mm. That’s a bit surprising being Canyon always had very short chainstays on their emtbs. Still, it’s a nice length. There is a trend away from super short stays. 445 mm or slightly more is common. This all means the wheelbase is longer at 1.256 mm for size L, a whooping 58 mm more than the 2019 version.

It’s obvious the new Neuron:ON CF has become a different bike The geometry is actually very similar to the burlier Spectral:ON. What’s separating the bikes is the 29” rear wheel, shorter travel and lighter components of the Neuron:ON.

Climbing​

You don't need lots of travel for climbing. In fact, shorter travel means the bike won't go as deep into the rear travel when you get a lot of weight over the back wheel. The geometry gets less upset and the balance of the bike is well maintained in the steep sections. Sure, gripper tyres is an advantage when struggling for traction, but the Canyon Neuron:ON CF does very well going uphill.

Less extreme trails​

On flatter trails, like normal trail riding, this is where Canyon proves the point of a shorter travel emtb. The lighter fork and tyres make a difference. There are tyres with stiffer sidewalls that offers a more composed ride than the Nobby Nics. But the upside is livelier handling. Sure, it's a full-power emtb with a big 750Wh battery, but the Neuron:ON CF is so quick up to speed. The bike is so precise through turns, and the steering is light. There are advantages of going lighter tyres and less unsprung mass.



The fork saves a nice chunk of weight too. And we weren't bothered much by having what's supposed to be a more flexible fork. Riding alongside a heavier bike with a burlier Fox 38 fork, we didn't feel under forked. But we did appreciate having a 3 kg lighter bike.

Strange as it is to see the entry level Rockshox Deluxe Select shock on an otherwise well specced bike. We weren't really bothered by it. It blended in well and it wasn’t the weakest link in any situation.

Descending​

This all sounds well and good, but there's bound to be a downside, right? Well, I can appreciate having a lighter bike on the descents. But as speed increases on our slippery autumn trails, things get quite exciting and then some.

We have to run the tyre pressure on the low side, to make the bike as calm as possible over chattery terrain, and to get maximum grip. For this kind of riding, we had a hard time keeping up with the burlier 160 mm emtbs with grippier tyres. That doesn't mean the Canyon Neuron:CF is a bad descender. Being a pretty long bike, it can be nice and stable at speed.

Conclusion​

So, should you swap tyres and make the Neuron:ON CF more capable going down? You could, but I'm not so sure. Allthough I guess the Soft-compound Nobby Nic would make sense up front. This bike offers a different riding experience compared to the full power emtbs. Having lighter tyres and suspension is a big part of what differentiates this mid-travel bike from the longer travel emtbs we're used to riding, it's why it makes sense having a mid-travel emtb.

23 kg is a fine weight for a big battery bike. The Neuron:ON CF isn't competing directly with the lightweight emtbs. It's a heavier bike with pretty much all the range and power one can expect from an emtb. It's comfortable, playful and it handles pleasantly. With the Neuron:ON CF Canyon offers a fun bike, a mid-travel emtb that makes sense. And it might just be the cheapest emtb available with the Sram AXS Transmission drivetrain.