A pregnancy lasts 9 months on average; Canyon’s second eMTB took just as long. There are many similarities between the Canyon Neuron:ON and its sibling, the Spectral:ON, but does it also have its own character?
The pedigree is unmistakable, the frame of the Neuron:ON is practically indistinguishable from the Spectral:ON. Like its big role-model, the Neuron:ON also relies on the Shimano STEPS E8000 motor and the trusted, semi-integrated 500 Wh battery, but on closer inspection, you’ll start to see the differences. Instead of using mixed wheel sizes, the Neuron:ON rolls on 29″ wheels front and rear, and 27.5″ wheels for sizes S and XS. The suspension offers 130 mm of front and rear travel.
Canyon positions the Neuron:ON as an eMTB for long rides and moderate trails, so it should be a good alternative for those for whom the Spectral is too trail-oriented. The Neuron:ON is also more affordable than the Spectral:ON. The top-of-the-range Neuron:ON 7.0 we reviewed is priced at € 4,299, whereas the entry-level Neuron:ON 5.0 goes for just € 3,299 – in comparison, the most affordable Spectral:ON costs € 500 more.
Canyon Neuron:ON 7.0 Specifications
The Neuron:ON 7.0 marks the spearhead of the line-up, available for € 4,299; higher-end builds seem to be reserved for the Spectral:ON. Nevertheless, there is hardly anything to complain about with the Neuron:ON 7.0 relying on FOX performance suspension consisting of a 34 FLOAT fork and a FLOAT DPS shock. The dropper seatpost also comes from FOX, while shifting and braking is taken care of by Shimano’s XT groupset – unfortunately Canyon specced the two-piston version of the brake with small 180 mm rotors. The 30 mm internal width Alexrims are fitted with 2.6″ wide Schwalbe tires – a Hans Dampf at the front and a Nobby Nic at the rear – both featuring the harder wearing, but less grippy Speedgrip rubber compound.
Fork FOX 34 Float Performance 130 mm
Schock FOX DPS Performance 130 mm
Motor/battery Shimano Steps E8000 504 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano XT
Brakes Shimano XT 180/180 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Performance 150 mm
Stem Race Face Ride 60 mm
Handlebar Race Face Ride 760 mm
Hubs/rims Shimano XT/Alexrims E-MTB
Tires Schwalbe Hans Dampf/Nobby Nic 2.6
Price € 4,299
Weight 22.24 kg (size Large)
A new feature is the USB port on the top tube, which Canyon will also include on the 2019 Spectral:ON. You use it to charge your smartphone or GPS device, or you can also power a headlight – perfect if you prefer using one of the detachable options. Despite the external battery, the Neuron:ON features a bottle cage mount with enough room for a small bottle. All in all, the spec is unspectacular yet functional, very suitable for the kind of riding it’s aimed at.
The geometry of the Canyon Neuron:ON 7.0
The geometry of the Neuron:ON is similar to that of the Spectral:ON, offering few surprises. The front end of the Neuron:ON is a bit lower despite having a longer head tube, and the bike is a bit shorter overall. In order to make room for the large rear wheel, the chainstays have been lengthened, which better keep the front wheel on the ground when climbing.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 420 mm | 430 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 520 mm |
| Top tube | 565 mm | 586 mm | 611 mm | 635 mm | 659 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 100 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 66.3° | 66.3° | 67.5° | 67.5° | 67.5° |
| Seat angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB Drop | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,138 mm | 1,160 mm | 1,172 mm | 1,198 mm | 1,223 mm |
| Reach | 395 mm | 415 mm | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm |
| Stack | 584 mm | 588 mm | 614 mm | 628 mm | 641 mm |
| Wheelsize | 27,5″ | 27,5″ | 29″ | 29″ | 29″ |
The Canyon Neuron:ON 7.0 on the Trail
The sitting position on the Canyon Neuron:ON offers a nice balance between aggressive and upright, immediately making you feel comfortable on flat terrain. Climbing, the SD:ON saddle’s rearward support is noticeable, with its raised rear section being a great real help when things get very steep. The narrow, 760mm handlebar provides the perfect mix of off-road control and comfort on long rides. Instead of the 165 mm cranks on the Spectral:ON, Canyon relies on more traditional 170 mm cranks for the Neuron:ON.
The Neuron:ON’s “classic” Shimano battery lends itself well to carrying a second battery in your backpack since it’s extremely compact and swapping it out doesn’t take more than a few seconds.
Descending, the Neuron:ON reveals its wild side, capable of more than its tame appearance would suggest. The 2.6″ wide 29er Schwalbe tires roll over obstacles with ease and are very comfortable, which also makes them a good choice for long days in the saddle. The Neuron:ON doesn’t have to hide from the Spectral:ON, lagging behind its big brother only when the trails become very demanding. For most riders, however, the Neuron:ON offers more than enough reserves and just as rounded a package.
The suspension performs very predictably, a bit more linear than the Spectral:ON. The Neuron:ON remains comfortable when pedalling in the seated position and makes good use of the available travel. A 140 mm fork at the front would increase the bike’s versatility noticeably without adversely affecting its long-distance capability. We can’t comprehend the choice of brakes, seeing as the braking techniques of less experienced riders, in particular, will quickly push the small rotors to their limits – we definitely recommend upgrading to 200 mm rotors.
Conclusion
With the Neuron:ON, Canyon is expanding its eMTB range downwards. The Canyon Neuron:ON is a great eMTB at a very fair price for riders who like to spend long days in the saddle and prefer to ride on fire roads and moderate trails. If you mainly ride trails, however, and want to attempt more demanding descents, the Spectral:ON is still the better choice.
More information at canyon.com
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer
