STRIVE 2014

PURE
CYCLING
3 INTRO
4 PROJECT TIMELINE
5 SHAPESHIFTER
9 DESIGN
11 GEOMETRY
13 FRAME FEATURES
14 MATERIALS
15 QUALITY CONTROL
2 Strive CF | Contents
Enduro. For a lot of people, this is mountain biking in
itspurest form. Enduro riders need to be able to handle
technically demanding trails. Uphill, downhill, whatever
youve just got to ride it. The exact same goes for
Enduro bikes, but this is where problems begin to
emerge. The fundamental question remains; how do you
produce something that unites the climbing characteri-
stics of a lightweight XC bike with the ability to attack
any descent like a big travel downhill rig?
Our answer to this question: Shapeshifer. Found at the
core of the Strive, this revolutionarysystem allows the
rider to change the whole character of the bike to suit
the terrain they are riding. Two bikes in one. That sums
up the Strive with Shapeshifer.What ever lies ahead, the
rider has the ideal setup to take iton.
The carbon frame has stood up to the toughest tests
both in the lab and out on the trails. To be absolutely
certain, the Canyon Factory Enduro Team (CFET) was on
board throughout development, pushing the Strive right
to the limit in the Enduro World Series (EWS).
Afer one of the very frst test sessions, CFET Captain,
multiple DH World Champion and qualifed engineer,
Fabien Barel, was completely won over:
Its not evolution its revolution!
STRIVE
INTRO
3 Strive CF | Intro
JULY 2011
STRIVE
PROJECT
TIMELINE
Canyon developer, Vincenz Thoma, comes up
with the idea of the Shapeshifer while riding in
the Allgu Alps in South Germany.
SPRING 2012
2013 SEASON
DECEMBER 2012
AUTUMN 2012
JULY 2013
LATE 2013/EARLY 2014
APRIL 2014
MAY 2014
Fabien Barel moves to Canyon
and is immediately impressed
by the new system. A strong
partnership is formed.
Canyon Crew test Prototype 1 (26)
on the trails around Lake Garda.
First successful test session carried out with
Canyon customers riding the aluminium Prototype2
(27.5) in Finale Ligure. New development project for
Strive/Shapeshifer ofcially gets underway.
Fabien Barel wins the frst ever
EWS Round in Punta Ala riding a
Strive prototype. He competes on
the bike for the rest of the season,
fnishing 3rd in the 2013 EWS
Overall Rankings.
Ongoing development and refnement
to make the Strive and Shapeshifer
production-ready.
CFET races the frst round
of the 2014 EWS in Chile
riding the new Strive.
The Strive with
Shapeshifer goes
into production.
Canyon Crew test the frst
carbon fbre Strive.
4 Strive CF | Project Timeline
Constant changes in terrain place incredibly diverse
demands on a bike. Rider weight gets transferred all
over the place depending on what youre taking on.
While climbing, the back wheel bears up to 100% of the
load, on the fats this drops to around 70%. When riding
steep descents all this weight then gets transferred to
the front wheel. To cope with these changes, suspensi-
on can be adjusted for climbing by reducing sag, travel
and having an altogether frmer setup, which in turn
results in steeper seat and steering angles.
When the trail heads back down, however, the exact
opposite is required: more sag, more travel, fatter
angles and a lower position on the bike are all ideal.
Most Enduro bikes try to strike a balance between
these two setups. We are unwilling to make this
compromise.
We believe that the very best Enduro bike needs to
climb like an XC racer and attack descents like a
DHrig. Our solution? Shapeshifer.
STRIVE
SHAPESHIFTER
5 Strive CF | Shapeshifer
Shapeshifer has been entirely developed by Canyon
and consists of a gas spring embedded in our patented
rear shock linkage and a handlebar mounted remote.
With just the fick of a switch, Shapeshifer changes
the rear shock linkage and with it the entire suspen-
sion dynamics while you ride. As a result, you get two
fundamentally diferent geometries, suspension rates,
and travel settings to choose from, all without the
need of a specially designed rear shock.
Shapeshifer in XC Mode
Shapeshifer in DH Mode
6 Strive CF | Shapeshifer
1.5
1.5
19 mm
GEOMETRY DIFFERENCE In XC mode, the bottom
bracket is higher to allow more clearance over roots
and rocks. Steeper steering angles mean quicker
handling on technical climbs, while a more upright
seat position results in better power transfer and more
load on the front wheel for improved balance uphill.
With a deeper bottom bracket and fattened seat and
steering angles, the riders centre of gravity is lowered
in DH mode. Load is spread more evenly across the
bike for more stability and control at speed and giving
a much surer feel when taking on steep descents.
The geometry diference is achieved through combining
the action of the Shapeshifer with the corresponding
efect on sag due to the change in suspension leverage
ratio.
THE GEOMETRY CHANGES BETWEEN DH MODE
AND XC MODE CORRESPOND TO:
1.5 IN STEERING ANGLE
1.5 IN SEAT ANGLE
19 MM IN BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT
7 Strive CF | Shapeshifer
CURRENT FORCE CHARACTERISTICS
FULL TRAVEL
SAG
XC MODE
DH MODE
1
6
0
S
T
R
O
K
E
E
N
D
1
3
0
S
T
R
O
K
E
E
N
D
2
5
%
S
A
G
1
7
%
S
A
G
SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAVEL
In DH mode, 160 mm of travel and 25-30% sag provide
the ideal setup for racing downhill, while 130 mm of
travel and around 15% sag in XC mode improve overall
efciency. As a result, the bike sits higher in its travel
while climbing and any pedal squat is eliminated. The
rear triangle and shock still maintain their sensitivity
to provide maximum traction and control uphill.
Shapeshifer allows the Strive to adapt quickly and
easily to changes in terrain. With it, precious time can
be gained when racing and the local trails will take on
a whole new dimension by having the perfect chassis
setup at all times.
8 Strive CF | Shapeshifer
STRIVE
DESIGN
9 Strive CF | Design
The clear-cut, linear design of the Strive provides
astark contrast to the bikes technical innovations.
Broadsurfaces give emphasis and clarity to the
frames lines, all of which are perfectly related to one
another. Shapeshifer not only contributes to the bikes
wide-ranging versatility, but also helps create the
signature Canyon silhouette to evoke the overall fow
and dynamics of mountain bike riding.
10 Strive CF | Design
The demands of Enduro riding are hugely diverse. From
tackling the most extreme terrain around, to bombing
down race tracks, to messing around on the local trails
and in bike parks.
To cover all these bases with just one geometry is not
possible. Thats why we came up with a new concept to
go alongside a Regular Geometry. Together with Fabien
Barel, we developed our Race Geometry so that every
Enduro rider can achieve the setup that suits them best.
Race Geometry has a proportionally longer reach in
relation to stack, the result being a longer front center
and the riders weight positioned more centrally. This
makes the bike more stable when taking on descents at
speed. Whats more, a shorter stem keeps the handling
direct and agile.
Those afer a versatile all-rounder will fnd the perfect
match in our Regular Geometry, as found on the
Spectral series. With a relatively shorter reach and front
center in comparison to the Race Geometry, the result is
responsive handling so you can maintain the fow down
the trail.
STRIVE
GEOMETRY
REGULAR GEOMETRY
RACE GEOMETRY
FRONT CENTER
11 Strive CF | Geometry
FRAME SIZE REGULAR S M L XL RACE S M L
A Seattube Length (mm) 388 430 460 490 430 430 460
B Toptube Length (mm) 576 600 626 651 600 629 648
C Headtube Length (mm) 95 115 135 155 115 125 135
D Headtube Angle () 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5) 66 (+1.5)
E Seattube Angle () 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5) 73.5 (+1.5)
F Chainstay Length (mm) 423 423 423 423 423 423 423
G Wheelbase (mm) 1132 1158 1187 1215 1158 1188 1207
H Stack (mm) 592 606 624 643 606 615 627
I Reach (mm) 402 422 442 462 422 448 468
STR 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Spacer Height (mm)* 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Stem Length (mm) 60 60 70 70 40 40 50
Handlebar Width (mm) 760 760 760 760 780 780 780
Crank Length (mm) 170 175 175 175 170 170 170
Seatpost Diameter (mm) 30,9 30,9 30,9 30,9 30,9 30,9 30,9
Seatpost Length (mm) 380 420 420 420 380 420 420
A
H
B
C
E D
G
F
I
12 Strive CF | Geometry
SHAPESHIFTER
On-the-fy adjustment allows the
rider todrastically change the bikes
geometry, travel and suspension
kinematics whilst riding.
STRIVE
FRAME
FEATURES
TAPERED STEERER
Working in conjunction with tapered fork shafs, the
Tapered Steerer increase headtube stifness for direct,
accurate handling and improved braking performance.
DOWNTUBE PROTECTOR
Made from robust synthetic materials, the Downtube
Protector is screwed directly to the frame to provide
extra impact protection.
CANYON THROUGH AXLE
Our 12 mm Through Axle increases rear
triangle stifness and includes a quick
release for fast wheel changes.
INTERNALLY ROUTED CABLES
For clean lines and protection from the elements, all cables
and hoses are routed internally through the frame, including
for the RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper seatpost.
13 Strive CF | Frame Features
STRIVE
MATERIALS
The Strive is available in both aluminium and carbon.
For the aluminium version, using high-quality 6066
series aluminium throughout allows us to achieve the
Strives characteristic form whilst being highly re-
sistant to corrosion and possessing outstanding tensile
strength. As a result, the frame of the Strive AL is both
incredibly robust and durable.
As the name suggests, the Strive CF is constructed
almost purely out of carbon fbre. Weve been building
our road bikes out of carbon for years and have made
huge advances with the material in that time. In
mountain biking, the gravity scene in particular, doubts
have ofen lingered about the strength of carbon and
its suitability for taking on harsh terrain. Now, however,
these doubts have no grounding. Carbon possesses
properties that massively beneft the strength and
fnish of a frame. There are practically no limits for
what you can do with the material, making it a dream
for bike design. We are able to target specifc points of
the frame and decide whether we want to have more
fexibility or more strength. This is why we decided to
build an Enduro bike out of carbon for the frst time.
Loads get spread across the entire frame when riding,
meaning there can be no area of weakness. These
loads change depending on terrain and riding style.
With carbon, we get strength, consistency and dura-
bility unrivalled by other materials. The risk of cracks
from big impacts is heavily reduced by introducing
elastic properties in certain areas. As a result, rider
safety is improved and the chances of breaking the
frame are incredibly low.
Put simply, carbon fbre is incredibly robust. By
optimising fbre types and the way we apply them,
alsoknown as the layup, we can further ensure that
the frame will fex and absorb an impact before ever
breaking. Weve integrated four diferent types of
carbon fbre into the frame Strive. The thickness ofthe
frame walls has also been reinforced at any potential
weak points, like cable entry and exit points to elimi-
nate the risk of cracks.
We use uni-directional carbon instead of woven to
reduce fbre undulation. This also allows us to apply
the material in diferent directions to exploit its
strength properties. The layup varies across the frame
depending on what diferent parts have to deal with.
Weve increased the thickness where strength is
needed most, such as on the downtube and around
theheadtube to cope with landing jumps and heavy
braking.
One of the biggest benefts ofered by carbon is weight
saving. Every single gram saved makes the Strive
easier to ride up climbs, giving the rider more energy
to push on the descents.
14 Strive CF | Carbon
STRIVE
QUALITY CONTROL
Quality. Control. Safety. At Canyon, these are our
absolute priorities. We are the frst bike manufacturer
in the world to have our own in-house CT scanner to
use in development and to provide constant, reliable
quality controls throughout our production. The thick-
ness of the carbon on the Strive is obviously crucial
and can be thoroughly checked using our CT scanner.
Key components, like the gas spring on the Shapeshif-
ter, also go through the scanner so we can examine
every single detail and guarantee bombproof reliability.
All of this is standard practice throughout Canyon
product development and continues into our series
production, with random samples regularly checked
toensure the highest levels of consistency across all
our fnished bikes.
Whats more, we have an array of test rigs at Canyon.
Home so we can go to extreme lengths in simulating
the strains of hard riding. Through these processes,
wecan determine the frames ability to withstand
repeated big hits when out on the trail.
15 Strive CF | Quality Control
Especially for the Strive, we had to come up with
abrand new test rig specifcally designed for the
Shapeshifer. The system cannot be properly pushed to
the limit by simply applying repeated loads, so instead
we came up with a device with a new action to swap
between DH and XC modes and ensure ultimate reliability.
When putting our new products through the ringer,
welike to leave no stone unturned. Environmental
conditions have just as big an efect on frame dura bility
as physical impacts. In order to replicate these, we
expose the frame and components, like the Shapeshifer,
to a corrosive cocktail of sandy, salty water for extended
periods of time to ensure they continue to work perfect-
ly under all circumstances. With these tests in place,
wecan simulate the worst trail conditions around right
in the heart of Canyon.Home.
At the start of 2014, our quality controllers came up
with a new Bike Category system to apply across the
entire range. This classifcation is exclusive to Canyon
and goes far beyond the normal industry standards.
Right from the start of our product development, we
set out to meet a specifc standard to ensure rider
safety. These Categories have been produced by
combining decades of industry experience with the
evidence from thousands of tests.
The higher the category, the more punishment the
bikeis designed to take. We rank the Strive in Bike
Category 4 out of 5. Able to cope with the harshest
terrain, the Strive possesses the same levels of robust-
ness as most downhill bikes but is signifcantly lighter,
making it the perfect Enduro machine.
16 Strive CF | Quality Control
Canyon Bicycles GmbH | Karl-Tesche-Strae 12 | 56073 Koblenz | www.canyon.com