Canyon Updates the 2020 Neuron AL and Adds Young Hero Version
The Neuron is aimed at being a versatile and well-balanced bike capable of handling almost all trail riding eventualities. There's 130mm of travel front and rear and the new 2020 aluminium version is now an exact mirror of the carbon fibre version already available. However, there are some addition to the sizes and small features added to the aluminium version when compared to the previous version.
Frame Details
Immediately apparent is the layout change of the bike, which now follows the top tube mounted shock position of the CF version.
The 130mm of travel is handled by a Horst pivot design with an extender driving the shock actuated by a small linkage. Compared to the previous aluminium version, anti-squat has been increased and also designed around the now commonplace 1x systems, rather than the front derailleur optimised system of the old version.
A horst pivot design with a shock extender bridging the gap around the seat tube from the rear triangle. Pivots have additional sealing.
Now designed around a 1x only drivetrain with internal cable routing in the main frame and external on the chainstays.
The Neuron range uses 27.5" wheels for frame sizes 2XS, XS and S and moves to 29" wheels for the M, L and XL sizes. The smaller frame sizes also benefit from slightly tweaked suspension kinematics and an adjusted shock tune to help out the lighter riders and allow them a good adjustment window on their suspension settings, rather than being pushed into a corner as a result of using one kinematic and shock tune for all sizes and weights of riders.
There's internal cable routing on the main frame with the cables running externally along the chainstays. The main pivot grew as a result of ditching the front derailleur compatibility and the pivots should gain some durability from the use of additional sealing.
There's clearance for the advised tyre widths of 2.3" to 2.4" tyres but if you do fancy fitting meatier rubber you should check that you've got enough clearance before sending it.
Canyon have their own version of a quick release through axle.
Canyon have their own version of a quick release through axle on all bikes and there's room for 750ml water bottles if you use a side-entry cage.
The aluminium frame weighs 3.13kg in size M without the shock. Which is around 750g heavier than the CF version but shouldn't lighten your wallet quite as much.
Geometry & Sizing
The aluminium Neuron gains an additional 2XS size compared to the CF version. All frames benefit from a lower standover compared to the older aluminium version.
Again, sizes 2XS, XS and S use 27.5 wheels and sizes M, L, XL use 29 wheels, but all bikes use a 29er fork. Different bar widths and crank lengths are used for the two size groups too.
Young Hero Version
The additional 2XS size not only opens up the Neuron to smaller riders but also kids. The Young Hero version is for riders 1.4m to 1.65m. It has 27.5" wheels and uses the same adjusted kinematics and lighter shock tune.
It comes with a not too shabby spec and nice touches like 165mm cranks and a 12-speed SRAM SX drivetrain with a 30-tooth chainring. Full bike weight is 13.6kg.
Specs, Pricing & Availability
Full spec, pricing and weight overview.
The Neuron AL comes in 6.0 and 7.0 specs. With Canyon, the higher the number, the better the spec.
Neuron AL 7.0 and WMN 7.0 bikes come in at 2,199 Euros or 2,049 GBP. Neuron AL 6.0 and WMN 6.0 bikes come in at 1,799 Euros or 1,699 GBP. Young Hero version is 1,499 Euros or 1,399 GBP.
Each spec level is also available in a women’s, denoted WMN, a version with some subtle spec changes and alternate colours.
The bike is available today, April 2nd.
US riders can purchase the AL 7.0 and AL 7.0 WMN 7.0 for $2,399 starting in June.
Neuron AL 7.0 in Stealth
Neuron AL 7.0 WMN in Dark Tide
Neuron AL 6.0 in Flash Blue
Neuron AL 6.0 WMN in Storm Pearl
For more information: Canyon Bikes
The Neuron AL out in the Val Müstair region of Switzerland.
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I agree that the shifting performance is pretty similar out of the box, but GX seems to not have quite the durability. With lower models of Shimano stuff it always seems from my perspective the durability between SLX and XT are not as big of a difference, shifting quality is about the same, but the weight difference is slightly larger. Different priorities from the companies.
That's because PB audience is not Canyon's main market segment...
I was a bit excited when Canyon came to the US, as another option here. But their geometry is the same as my 2014 Norco Sight that I sold 4 years ago once bikes started getting long enough to fit me, so I quickly lost interest.
I am not even a super fan of the wildest geometry but I just drew out my next bike and it will be sitting just nice and conservative(in my opinion) bike for my 6'4" self.
- 510 reach
- 66° head angle
- 480 mm seat tube
- 640 stack
- 40 mm of BB drop
- 445 chainstays
- 75° seat angle(oldish, and slow, so don't need that super steep)
This is on a 140 front, 120 rear travel 29er that will be ridden on any sort of trail, I really enjoy climbing single track and my favorite decents are fast rough stuff. Not too into big jumps or drops, but I'm sure it would handle that as well.
I understand there being a market for the older school geometry, but there is no reason someone can't put a longer post in a smaller bike. With Canyon there is no way I can upsize to fit as the longest bike is 35 mm shorter than I want and 15 mm shorter than a bike I bought 5 years ago. As a tall guy it is pretty awesome that there are some bikes that actually long enough to fit after 25 years of riding slightly modified road bike geo in the dirt, it is a really nice change. The geo on this bike is close to my gravel bike actually, it has a reach over 450 and head angle of 68, I just got tired of getting whipped onto my head if I used a trail as a shortcut and found a soft spot.
There are a lot of bikes that still have bent seat tubes, but a lot of them don't need bent seat tubes. Long travel bikes that have short chainstays often do need a bent seat tube, but this bike has neither. The decision to have one on this bike totally hamstrung them on the smaller frame sizes.
The intent of the bike I described is long pedally days. I don't want DH geo, I just want to fit on my bike. I've ridden several bikes and currently own a bike that is slacker and have never noticed any downside. It is poppy and playful, climbs well, gets around all the trails I ride great, no worse on the flats or climbs than my shorter old bikes, way better on the downs and any rough stuff.
Question
Your team manger lives in Canada , one of your factory racers live in Canada . You’ve supports numerous other riders in Canada .
What can’t we get your bikes in Canada !!!!!!
That is interesting. 29er fork for all sizes despite different wheel sizes. Curious what the reasoning is behind that. Seems like the BB may be either low on the 27.5 wheeled versions or high on the 29 versions.
( Parent of 3, so being in constant purchase or MTB for the kids)
kudo's though to Canyon for expanding the pie for small adults and older kids. 26" may have been a good idea too. My 12yo currently rides an old size small SC BLT with 165 cranks. His legs are finally long enough that it looks about right when he pedals. Couldn't say the same thing 2 years ago when he first got the bike
It is actually interesting how few shorter cranks are available. I am 6'4" and once I finally went to 170 cranks it was pretty eye opening. Trying to find reasonably priced 165 cranks for my wife that is a lot shorter than me was a challenge. 165 Shimano stuff is theoretically available(SLX, XT...) but I have never seen anything but DH models at parts distributors or speced in a groupo. Below that it gets weird, funny off brands mostly, but I think the Canfield Brothers have always made some shorter sizes.
canfieldbikes.com/collections/cranks-chainrings/products/canfield-bikes-am-dh-cranks
They are offered in 150 through 170, but they are overkill for a kid as they are DH cranks.
I didn’t know there was a market for 1,4 Millimeter tall people.