Are Canyon bikes worth the preimum cost?

[migo33]

Hi all,
I narrowed down my new bike purchase to a fitness/ hybrid bike and from a brand name such as Giant Fastroad, Specialized Sirrus X etc.
I am really digging the Canyon Roadlite 7 https://www.canyon.com/en-au/hybrid-bik ... /2784.html. However, the price is almost double of other brand names, and considering the extra shipping costs, it becomes a pretty expensive bike. What are your thoughts? Have you had experience with Canyon? What happens with Warranty or wrong fitment?
Thanks,

[RonK]

Hi all,
I narrowed down my new bike purchase to a fitness/ hybrid bike and from a brand name such as Giant Fastroad, Specialized Sirrus X etc.
I am really digging the Canyon Roadlite 7 https://www.canyon.com/en-au/hybrid-bik ... /2784.html. However, the price is almost double of other brand names, and considering the extra shipping costs, it becomes a pretty expensive bike. What are your thoughts? Have you had experience with Canyon? What happens with Warranty or wrong fitment?
Thanks,

I bought a new Canyon Grizl just a few months ago. A premium model for sure, but more than competitive with local prices for the same or lower spec bikes. The quality is first class as is the customer service, and the shipping cost quite reasonable considering it came all the way from Germany. Canyon have an Australian office and were very responsive when I wanted to amend my order. I've had no need to claim on warranty and will be surprised if I do, but feel confident that Canyon will provide any warranty support I might require.

[SheikYerbouti]

If they weren't, they'd go out of business.

[foo on patrol]

With no store front, how'd do you get on with warranty claims?

Foo

[redsonic]

With no store front, how'd do you get on with warranty claims?

Foo

I haven't bought a bike from them, but have bought a seat post and other parts and every time I rang the Australian office, they were great to talk to, and parts were posted very quickly.

[AUbicycles]

In terms of price comparisons, the brand built itself up but providing comparable specs / quality to the big brands at a better price. Being online they could save on the margins and overheads of having distribution and retailers. For many years they were not even available in Australia even though Cadel Evans won the world champs on a Canyon.

Over time, Canyon has gone from a value for money brand to a premium priced brand. They do a lot of marketing, advertising and team sponsorship so it is no surprise that they have big costs.

Quality remails good in general and they also try to lead bike design in many ways. The German basics mean they generally also try to look after customers, often better than brands with more traditional distribution can do.

They shouldn’t be double the price … you may have to look at the spec and check that you are comparing apples with apples. They are far from a value for money brand but generally are good for quality.

[Mububban]

$2600 delivered for an alloy flat bar with alloy rims seems a bit rich, even if it is packing Ultegra (partly).

$2000 for a Giant Fastroad Advanced 2 gives you a carbon frame, alloy wheels and 2x10 Tiagra. Not sure the Canyon is $600 better, even for 11 speed.

The alloy Fastroad SL1 is almost identical spec to the Canyon but $1000 cheaper.

[nickobec]

Compare like to like:
Canyon Roadlite 6 $1899 + shipping to Giant Fastroad SL1 $1499 and Giant Fastroad Advance 2 $1999
differences here better and tubeless wheels on the Roadlite 6 and Advance 2, Giant save money and go with Tektro brakes. Advance 2 has CF frame, but only has Tiagra 10 spd to 11spd 105 on the others. Fastroad SL save $500 but lower spec brakes, worse wheels, tyres and not tubeless. The others full 105 + alloy frame to 10 speed + CF frame, at same price.

or
Canyon Roadlite 7 $2349 + shipping to Giant Fastroad Advance 1 $3199
both similar specs with better specs all round including CF seatpost. Roadlite you get Ultegra but alloy frame, Advance 1 CF frame but 105 and Tektro brakes.

Yes I do own two alloy Canyon road bikes, one second hand from before Canyon sold to Australia and dealing with Canyon Germany was interesting then. The second a few years later and dealing with Canyon AU was a piece of cake.

Personally I would get the Roadlite 6 and add a CF seatpost, next in value for money would be Fastroad SL1 , again add CF seatpost and upgrade wheel set and tyres. At this price point you are not going to notice the difference between an alloy and CF frame.

In other words there is no premium for Canyon here, they are more than competitively priced against Giant

[Propagate]

RE: Value - Unless things have drastically changed, I've always found Canyon bikes to be similar, if not better, priced like-for-like with the other volume manufactures like Giant etc. when comparing apples with apples spec-wise. A mate bought a carbon hrdtail MTB a few years back from them, nothing came close at the tome for similar spec and price, it's a great bike.

RE: Warranty, I recently bought a Canyon Dude fat bike (stupid bike, but MASSIVE fun). No amount of faffing and fiddling could get the 12 speed Eagle to index properly. In the end, I got onto tech support online chat, we went through some trouble shooting and they couldn't work it out, so they asked me to raise a support ticket for the issue. Within an hour I got an e-mail back with te address of my nearest (good) bike shop and a message asking me to book it in to them to have a look and source the issue, Canyon said they would refund up to $150 for this and then they'd go from there. Bike shop found the issue, slightly twisted derailleur cage, fixed it for $95 and Canyon refunded me within days.

As for the bike, it's stupid (in a good way) but that's the reason I got it. Never fails to put a smile on my face. Well built and well specced for the price when comparing other types of this niche.

[g-boaf]

Canyon are good, never had issues with mine and the Melbourne office seem really good - I have dealt with them a couple of times. They seem very well organised and proactive.

From the way they are on the phone, it seems like they are pretty relaxed in the Melbourne office - doesn't seem like a pressure cooker environment.

[MattyK]

As for the bike, it's stupid (in a good way) but that's the reason I got it. Never fails to put a smile on my face. Well built and well specced for the price when comparing other types of this niche.

The Dude abides.

[open roader]

Slight topic diversion.

Canyon seatposts - in particular the VCLS 2.0 flex post.

Unique design (same as familial Ergon models) and unique price at AU $313.00

My Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a 27.2mm seatpost size so with open mind and open wallet I took the plunge, splashed out the aforementioned AU $313 plus another $54 for shipping from Koblenz, Germany.

Worth it?

Ordered the seatpost on a Tuesday evening AEST, the part arrived at my post office box on the Tuesday morning of the following week! Dispatch and delivery were exemplary as one might hope for a $50 plus delivery fee on a seatpost. Packaging was perfect, re-cycled, re-usable, recyclable box, clever internal package design using least amount of material for most amount of support and protection.

Yeah, but what about the part functioning in the real world?

I've spent far too much money on all sorts of go fast - go comfy bike stuff in my time - a small fortune in fact. All those purchases were fun, however, much of it made no perceptible difference to me your average Fred rider.

This Canyon seatpost is an exception to the rule. I fitted it up, using the proprietary (supplied) Canyon branded carbon assembly paste and re-fitted the same saddle. WOW! - very perceptible difference riding the Topstone over all surfaces - even on the best bitumen. After 7 or 8 shorter rides with the VCLS, after 150mins in the saddle last Sunday afternoon my body says the Canyon VCLS seatpost is definitely worth it.

[redsonic]

Slight topic diversion.

Canyon seatposts - in particular the VCLS 2.0 flex post.

Unique design (same as familial Ergon models) and unique price at AU $313.00

My Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a 27.2mm seatpost size so with open mind and open wallet I took the plunge, splashed out the aforementioned AU $313 plus another $54 for shipping from Koblenz, Germany.

Worth it?

Ordered the seatpost on a Tuesday evening AEST, the part arrived at my post office box on the Tuesday morning of the following week! Dispatch and delivery were exemplary as one might hope for a $50 plus delivery fee on a seatpost. Packaging was perfect, re-cycled, re-usable, recyclable box, clever internal package design using least amount of material for most amount of support and protection.

Yeah, but what about the part functioning in the real world?

I've spent far too much money on all sorts of go fast - go comfy bike stuff in my time - a small fortune in fact. All those purchases were fun, however, much of it made no perceptible difference to me your average Fred rider.

This Canyon seatpost is an exception to the rule. I fitted it up, using the proprietary (supplied) Canyon branded carbon assembly paste and re-fitted the same saddle. WOW! - very perceptible difference riding the Topstone over all surfaces - even on the best bitumen. After 7 or 8 shorter rides with the VCLS, after 150mins in the saddle last Sunday afternoon my body says the Canyon VCLS seatpost is definitely worth it.

I second the plug for the VCLS seatpost. And a tip; if you call the Australian Canyon office to order parts, they get sent directly from Australia (if they have it in stock here). Cheaper postage, and I had my seatpost next day (Brisbane).

[warthog1]

This thread has made me compare the Grizl sl8 with the Giant Revolt advanced 0.
The Grizl is $300 cheaper, but has aluminium wheels that are heavier and shallower.
May have better hubs though.
The Revolt has deeper carbon wheels.
I prob prefer the better wheels but it is very close and may come down to delivery times.

[RonK]

Slight topic diversion.

Canyon seatposts - in particular the VCLS 2.0 flex post.

Unique design (same as familial Ergon models) and unique price at AU $313.00

My Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a 27.2mm seatpost size so with open mind and open wallet I took the plunge, splashed out the aforementioned AU $313 plus another $54 for shipping from Koblenz, Germany.

Worth it?

Ordered the seatpost on a Tuesday evening AEST, the part arrived at my post office box on the Tuesday morning of the following week! Dispatch and delivery were exemplary as one might hope for a $50 plus delivery fee on a seatpost. Packaging was perfect, re-cycled, re-usable, recyclable box, clever internal package design using least amount of material for most amount of support and protection.

Yeah, but what about the part functioning in the real world?

I've spent far too much money on all sorts of go fast - go comfy bike stuff in my time - a small fortune in fact. All those purchases were fun, however, much of it made no perceptible difference to me your average Fred rider.

This Canyon seatpost is an exception to the rule. I fitted it up, using the proprietary (supplied) Canyon branded carbon assembly paste and re-fitted the same saddle. WOW! - very perceptible difference riding the Topstone over all surfaces - even on the best bitumen. After 7 or 8 shorter rides with the VCLS, after 150mins in the saddle last Sunday afternoon my body says the Canyon VCLS seatpost is definitely worth it.

I second the plug for the VCLS seatpost. And a tip; if you call the Australian Canyon office to order parts, they get sent directly from Australia (if they have it in stock here). Cheaper postage, and I had my seatpost next day (Brisbane).

The VCLS seat post might be expensive, but it's light, it's not ugly, and it works.

When you first mentioned getting one I was going to suggest a Redshift Shockstop seat post as a cheaper alternative - until I checked the price. Not only is is just as expensive - it's heavy, and it's fugly.

[cyclingnolycra]

Wow that VCLS seatpost eh? and isn't the topstone using decent width tyres - so it made a big difference on top of that? What tyres and pressures were you using?

I find my scultura (rim brake) is reasonably firm. If an imperfection on the road catches you surprise you'll really feel it. And I don't think I can go wider than 25mm tyres.

[open roader]

Wow that VCLS seatpost eh? and isn't the topstone using decent width tyres - so it made a big difference on top of that? What tyres and pressures were you using?

I find my scultura (rim brake) is reasonably firm. If an imperfection on the road catches you surprise you'll really feel it. And I don't think I can go wider than 25mm tyres.

My Topstone Carbon 2 came with WTB Riddler 37mm fitted as standard.

After 85% road riding and only 15% MTB light and easy trails + social ride rail trail stuff in the past 17 years I found the 37mm tyres on the all road bike need a tad more pressure in them to keep me going over the bitumen at a seat of the pants speed that feels like I'm making progress without pushing the pedals too hard.

I'm finding that I still need to ride up to 50% or even 60% of my all road bike ride distances on local sealed roads (gravel is my preference) and even though I have swapped my rims to tubeless running I still need circa 32psi front and 40psi rear to make bitumen transition a pleasure instead of MTB like. Any softer than that feels too draggy on the sealed stuff.

Hence chasing a little more comfort for the gravel road - dirt road / trail / track end of things. The VCLS seatpost is a real game changer for me - it's like having 5 or 6 psi less in my tyres on the bumpy stuff. I also opted for a small frame instead of the conventional size medium for me which has the seatpost sitting proud of the frame just a bit more - makes the VCLS seatpost move just that bit more.

I'm delighted with my all road bike set up now - it's the first bike in my middle age years that I can ride without feeling the need to go training pace and ride for hours without fading or being sore at any stage. I got lucky! All power to the all road bike I say.

[g-boaf]

Slight topic diversion.

Canyon seatposts - in particular the VCLS 2.0 flex post.

Unique design (same as familial Ergon models) and unique price at AU $313.00

My Cannondale Topstone Carbon is a 27.2mm seatpost size so with open mind and open wallet I took the plunge, splashed out the aforementioned AU $313 plus another $54 for shipping from Koblenz, Germany.

Worth it?

Ordered the seatpost on a Tuesday evening AEST, the part arrived at my post office box on the Tuesday morning of the following week! Dispatch and delivery were exemplary as one might hope for a $50 plus delivery fee on a seatpost. Packaging was perfect, re-cycled, re-usable, recyclable box, clever internal package design using least amount of material for most amount of support and protection.

Yeah, but what about the part functioning in the real world?

I've spent far too much money on all sorts of go fast - go comfy bike stuff in my time - a small fortune in fact. All those purchases were fun, however, much of it made no perceptible difference to me your average Fred rider.

This Canyon seatpost is an exception to the rule. I fitted it up, using the proprietary (supplied) Canyon branded carbon assembly paste and re-fitted the same saddle. WOW! - very perceptible difference riding the Topstone over all surfaces - even on the best bitumen. After 7 or 8 shorter rides with the VCLS, after 150mins in the saddle last Sunday afternoon my body says the Canyon VCLS seatpost is definitely worth it.

I second the plug for the VCLS seatpost. And a tip; if you call the Australian Canyon office to order parts, they get sent directly from Australia (if they have it in stock here). Cheaper postage, and I had my seatpost next day (Brisbane).

The VCLS seat post might be expensive, but it's light, it's not ugly, and it works.

When you first mentioned getting one I was going to suggest a Redshift Shockstop seat post as a cheaper alternative - until I checked the price. Not only is is just as expensive - it's heavy, and it's fugly.

S14 VCLS is brilliant:



It makes a massive difference. I went from a Giant with an integrated seat post (a TCR Advanced SL from 2014) to the Canyon with that, just same components, different frame, bars and that seat post and the difference was night and day.

Okay, it's not one of these bikes with huge tyres and all the rest, but damn - I could ride that thing 500km a week and not end up in pain. Fantastic thing for riding on those bumpy shared paths we have around here and poor quality roads.Whatever they say about some components, that seat post really does do what it is claimed to do.

[warthog1]

Can you put a light or varia radar etc on those posts?

[g-boaf]

Can you put a light or varia radar etc on those posts?

I have a couple of old moon lights, they fit easily. They have different plastic add ons to fit around the seat post. One fits the VCLS seat post, the other one (on the other light) fits the aero seat post of the S5.

No idea about Varia, don’t have one.

[warthog1]

I have a couple of old moon lights, they fit easily. They have different plastic add ons to fit around the seat post. One fits the VCLS seat post, the other one (on the other light) fits the aero seat post of the S5.

No idea about Varia, don’t have one.

Get one, best thing ever

It probably does with the mount that attaches with a rubber o ring then.
I was just concerned that some mounts that clamp around the post would interfere with its' function.
There is a varia clamp that does that.
Just use the other one I guess.

[Lukeyboy]

You get what you pay for. For instance quality control - I've come across no foam lining on the hydro cables that just rattle like hell, levers leaking out of the box, the crappy steer tube expander plugs and the stem spacers/compression, cracks on the frame cable ingress points and just cracking in general. Seen way to many of them with cracked frames. Probably have found at least 7 bikes (2x speedmax, 3x Endurance, 2x Aero road) since the start of August with cracks on them and god knows how many I've had to rebuild this year. And you can't say I'm biased as I own one But they have been pretty good with warranty from what customers have said.

[AUbicycles]

Thanks for the feedback, when I get a bit of time I will do some spec for spec comparisions which may refresh my view.

Quality however appears to speak for itself along with the way that Canyon resolve customer support.

A while back, customers were fairly locked-in to the variations on offer with little option for any customisation (of parts) and would be interested to know now if this has changed.

From my ‘media’ perspective, canyon have never been very forthcoming in their communication.And I am only about 2 hours from their HQ.

[g-boaf]

Thanks for the feedback, when I get a bit of time I will do some spec for spec comparisions which may refresh my view.

Quality however appears to speak for itself alongg with the way that Canyon resolve customer support.

A while back, customers were fairly locked-in to the variations on offer with little option for any customisation (of parts) and would be interested to know now if this has changed.

From my ‘media’ perspective, canyon have never been very forthcoming in their communication.And I am only about 2 hours from their HQ.

You can do some small changes like the handlebar/stem combinations I understand if you were to organise it with them directly first.

On the order invoice, you'll see a "special wishes" section - this is for the Canyon Speedmax TT / triathlon bikes where it's common that the fit will need to be change before delivery. Canyon in Melbourne explained that when I asked them out of interest what that was.

If you need a particular bar width / stem length, contact them first before ordering. This is more if you are buying one of those bikes with the H36 or similar bar/stem (integrated).

I haven't ridden any Canyon bikes with disc brakes, only the Aeroad CF SLX (Mavic neutral support bike) and my Ultimate CF Evo which I built up from a frame. I couldn't complain about either. The CF Evo was faultless, not a single issue - I did high mileage on that bike which would have uncovered any problems.

Admittedly that was the top of the line super-special frameset and I also maintained it pretty well myself (it rarely went to any bike shops). But really I hardly did anything special to it, just chains, the bottom bracket sometimes and replacing brake cables, cassettes and brake pads. It was pretty dependable.