ON and ON and ON – Canyon starts 2021 with four new eMTBs with the Shimano EP8 motor

All good things come in fours. Canyon have equipped their eMTB fleet with the new Shimano EP8 motor. The Grand Canyon:ON hardtail, the Neuron:ON touring fully and the sporty Spectral:ON all get a boost in power and, for some builds, a bigger battery. In addition, Canyon have expanded their portfolio with the Canyon Torque:ON.

Canyon start the new year with a big update to all the eMTBs in the Canyon:ON range. From now on, these will be powered by a Shimano EP8 motor, the latest unit from the Japanese bike component specialist’s factory. Accompanying the existing Grand Canyon:ON, Neuron:ON and Spectral:ON, the Torque:ON joins Canyon’s eMTB ranks as a new motorised variant of the much-loved freerider, the Torque.

Grand Canyon:ON

We start things off with the updated Grand Canyon:ON. Just like its non-motorised counterpart, the Grand Canyon:ON is conceived as a sporty trail hardtail with 120 mm travel up front. That is reduced to 100 mm for size XS. The 85 Nm Shimano EP8 motor and the battery are both elegantly integrated into the aluminium frame. The ebike is available in five sizes from XS to XL, as well as five different builds of which two are women’s specific WMN models. Size XS is reserved to the WMN builds which are limited to size M at the other end of the scale. The entry-level Grand Canyon:ON 7 and 7 WMN models come with a 504 Wh battery in all sizes and cost € 2,899. The three higher-specced builds in the form of the Grand Canyon:ON 8, 8 WMN and 9 come with a 504 Wh battery in sizes XS and S due to space constraints but find room for a 630 Wh battery inside the aluminium frame for sizes M to XL. That’s also reflected in the price. From sizes M and up these three models cost € 200 more than the smaller sizes. A further distinctive feature of the small XS and S models is the choice of 27.5″ wheels. Again, from sizes M and up, all Grand Canyon:ON models roll on 29″ wheels. As is typical for Canyon, the Grand Canyon:ON features lots of thought-through details and unique solutions like the USB charging port or the ebike-specific saddle with its raised tail.

The components of the Grand Canyon:ON in detail

Canyon Neuron:ON

The Neuron:ON is targeted at ebikers who cover longer distances. We had the previous model in for a long term test and were left enthusiastic about its good-natured handling and value for money. The perfect gateway drug for eMTBs? You can find out more details in our review of the Neuron:ON WMN 7.0 2020. With the new Shimano EP8 motor and, depending on the frame size and model, a bigger battery, the Neuron gets updates that will be of particular interest to trekking riders. The previous model, with identical geometry to the current one, did well on extended tours and scored with a high level of comfort and well-judged riding position. The Canyon Neuron:ON 20201 is available in five sizes from XS to XL, as well as five different builds of which two are women’s specific WMN versions. Like the Grand Canyon:ON, the Neuron:ON is only available in sizes XS to M for the WMN versions. In sizes M to XL the Neuron:ON has 130 mm travel front and rear and rolls on 29″ wheels. In sizes XS and S, it has 120 mm travel up front, 125 mm at the rear and rolls on smaller 27.5″ wheels. Again, like the Grand Canyon:ON, the 504 Wh battery found on the Neuron:ON in sizes XS and S is smaller than that fitted to the larger models. These can draw their power from a 630 Wh battery instead. To compensate, the Neuron:ON 8, Neuron:ON 8 WMN and Neuron:9 are € 200 cheaper in the smaller sizes. The entry-level models of the Neuron:ON 7 and Neuron:ON 7 WMN cost € 3,699 and come with 504 Wh batteries for all sizes.

The components of the Neuron:ON in detail

Canyon Spectral:ON CF

The Spectral:ON CF 2021 builds on its agile predecessor and, as before, is intended to be the eMTB for downhill flow and trail fun in Canyon’s portfolio.
The Spectral:ON CF 2021 is available in 6 builds, of which four are unisex and two women’s specific WMN models. All builds are available in four sizes from S to XL and come fitted with a 630 Wh battery. Likewise, there is no size-specific tailoring of wheels or travel with the Spectral:ON CF. Canyon put their trust in mixed wheel sizes with 29″ front and 27.5″ rear, paired with 150 mm travel at both ends. Numerous details like Canyon’s one-piece bar and stem, ebike specific saddle, the Skid Plate motor protector and the USB-C charging port round out the package on all builds.

We’ve had the opportunity to test the Spectral:ON 9.0 2021 (read review here) for several months already and were able to scrutinise it closely, both on our wintery home trails and riding in Tuscany. We tell you about everything new and let you know why the new Spectral:ON CF 9.0 (costing € 7,499) is roughly € 500 more expensive than last year.

Canyon Torque:ON

The new Canyon Torque:ON is intended to appeal to ebikers who want to ride the most challenging and technical terrain aboard their eMTB. Regardless of whether it’s the bike park, trail centre or local trails, the Torque:ON, like its non-motorised brother, is designed to be the do-it-all gravity ebike in Canyon’s portfolio.
The plush suspension with 180 mm travel up front and 175 mm at the rear is paired with 27.5″ wheels at both ends. The new Torque:ON is also equipped with a Shimano EP8 motor. One unusual feature is that all sizes come with a smaller 504 Wh battery. If you prefer more capacity, Canyon offer the option of ordering the Torque:ON with a spare 504 Wh battery for an upcharge of € 500. Does the concept work? We’ve already managed to swing our legs over the Torque:ON and alongside our first ride impressions, we have all the details about the bike for you. You can read the review of the Torque:ON 9 2021 here.

Conclusion

With the switch to the Shimano EP8 motor and the introduction of the Torque:ON, Canyon offer one of the most up-to-date and encompassing eMTB portfolios on the market. We’ve already managed to spend some time on the Spectral:ON CF 9 (read review here) and the Torque:ON 9 (read review here) testing each on the terrain it was designed for. You can find out more in their individual reviews.
For more information about all the bikes visit canyon.com

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Canyon, Peter Walker, Robin Schmitt