Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 in Review

The Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 is the most affordable trekking ebike on test at € 4,289. The direct-to-consumer bike comes with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, 1000 Wh battery capacity and, according to Canyon, is designed for commuting as well as long rides and weekend trips. Can it deliver on this promise?

Click here for an overview of the best hardtail trekking ebike test

The Pathlite:ON bears that unmistakable Canyon look. The distinct hydroformed tubes, the one-piece cockpit and the logo on the down tube give the bike its recognisable look. It exudes speed and sportiness just standing there.

The Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 is powered by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 1000 Wh total capacity, with a 500 Wh internal and 500 Wh external battery. For the display, Canyon rely on the Bosch Purion which provides all critical information. The Pathlite:ON 8.0 has some weaknesses regarding the brakes and drivetrain. The Shimano MT500 two-piston brakes and budget 180 mm Shimano RT54 rotors offer too little stopping power and they’re difficult to modulate despite the one-finger levers. The Shimano XT derailleur only serves to distract you from the lower-end SLX shifter and budget cassette, which has poorer shifting performance compared to a complete XT drivetrain. On the other hand, the accessories including a side stand, luggage rack, bell and mudguards have been carefully selected, never rattling and making a high-quality impression. At night, the fender-mounted Supernova MINI 2 PRO headlight with its integrated high beam function provides the best illumination in the test. The rear light is equally well integrated into the mudguard but is placed very low, where other road users could overlook it.

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If you want to buy the Canyon, we recommend investing a little more money and going for the flagship Pathlite:ON 9.0 instead. The additional € 600 is money well spent, giving you Shimano XT four-piston brakes, an even better set of lights and the new Bosch Nyon display with integrated navigation. All Pathlite:ON models have the same, limited maximum permissible weight rating of 140 kg. After deducting the bike’s 26.8 kg weight, you’re left with 113 kg for the rider and their gear.

Taking a closer look at the details, the external battery on the down tube leaves little room in the front triangle. Nevertheless, you’ll still be able to fit up to two bottles or one bottle and a lock in the front triangle – well done Canyon! If you decide to leave the second battery at home on shorter rides, the bracket for the external battery remains exposed and looks a bit rudimentary. We would have liked some kind of cover that also gives you the option of mounting a bottle cage, similar to that offered by Simplon. Canyon currently don’t have anything similar in the works.

Geometry and size of the Canyon

After riding the Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 a few meters, you’ll soon miss the relaxed riding position that it initially promises. The riding position is stretched, putting a lot of weight on your hands. More ambitious riders will feel comfortable aboard the Canyon Pathlite:ON but relaxed cruisers won’t. The low front end of the Pathlite:ON 8.0 in combination with the stretched riding position and the lack of comfort at the rear creates tension in your neck and prevents you from enjoying the scenery.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	465 mm	490 mm	520 mm	550 mm
Top tube	556 mm	575 mm	600 mm	640 mm
Head tube	98 mm	92 mm	114 mm	163 mm
Head angle	69.5°	70.2°	70.2°	70.2°
Seat angle	73.5°	73.2°	73.2°	73.2°
BB Drop	63 mm	64 mm	64 mm	64 mm
Chainstay	443 mm	460 mm	460 mm	460 mm
Wheelbase	1,066 mm	1,098 mm	1,125 mm	1,167 mm
Reach	374 mm	385 mm	404 mm	430 mm
Stack	615 mm	630 mm	651 mm	697 mm

The large battery capacity and looks of the Canyon are great for sporty riders who put a premium on style. It’s not the best choice for beginners and those who like cruising in comfort.

The high position of the batteries on top of and inside the down tube shift the bike’s centre of gravity upwards, which has a negative impact on handling and makes the bike feel like it wants to topple over when cornering. For fast manoeuvres, you need to actively counterbalance the bike. With the panniers full, the centre of gravity gets shifted even further upwards and that behaviour is amplified. Due to the difficult handling and the low front end, you always have to stay alert and can’t allow yourself to be distracted by the scenery. Going downhill, the Canyon has you hanging over the handlebar and you’ll find the brakes lacking in stopping power, all of which robs you of confidence. In addition, the narrow 57 mm Schwalbe G-One Allround tires don’t offer a lot of traction on gravel and other loose surfaces. Unfortunately, the Pathlite:ON isn’t an easy bike to ride and is likely to overwhelm beginners and those with a more relaxed riding style.

Tuning tips: spend more on the Canyon Pathlite:ON 9.0 with Nyon display and XT brakes instead

Conclusion

Lacking comfort, instilling little confidence, difficult handling and a low maximum permissible weight: we can’t recommend the Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 for beginners, relaxed riders or long-distance tourers. Sporty riders who care about looks get lots of battery capacity and a good bike for short-distance commutes. The € 4,289 price is good but you end up with an aggressive riding position, weak brakes and unbalanced handling.

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For more information, visit canyon.com.

The test field

Click here for an overview of the best hardtail trekking ebike test

All bikes in test: Canyon Pathlite:ON 8.0 | CENTURION Backfire Fit E R811i DualBatt EQ (Click for review) | Kalkhoff Entice 7.B Excite (Click for review) | Riese & Müller Supercharger2 GT Touring GX (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer