WHO IS JOE BARNES?
One third of the trio of young Scotsmen who enjoy causing a stir on the enduro circuit as the Dudes of Hazard, 26-year-old Barnes races for the Canyon team.
WHY IS THIS A SUPER BIKE?
- Shapeshifter technology lets the rider adjust the Strive CF’s travel and geometry on the fly, allowing it to descend like a demon or climb like a mountain goat
- Canyon’s ‘Race’ geometry means the bike gets a longer front centre, resulting in increased stability at speed and a better, more neutral position for the rider
- Fox’s new 36 fork boasts 170mm (6.7in) of travel, controlled by their impressive FIT RC2 damper
Travel and geometry adjustment is designed to take compromise out of the equation
Since Canyon unveiled the Strive CF earlier this year, Joe Barnes has piloted it on to the Enduro World Series (EWS) podium not just once, but twice. It’s certainly helped silence the cynics who questioned whether the proprietary, eyebrow-raising Shapeshifter system was worth all the R&D time and whether all the secrecy surrounding the project was justified. “It’s a glorious bike that’s really fun to ride and takes the compromise between climbing and descending out of the equation,” says Joe.
Goody bag
As the EWS progressed last year, it didn’t take long for people to start speculating about what Canyon were hiding under the cloth bag that covered their bikes’ rear shocks and upper linkage. When it came off, many were surprised. Sandwiched between the frame’s rocker links is a mini-piston that moves a knuckle link attached to the upper shock mount, altering the amount of travel on offer, the suspension kinematics of the bike and the geometry.
“We’ve been reaching a very good level of suspension over the past 15 years,” says Fabien Barel, Canyon team rider and the main man behind the Shapeshifter R&D. “Things are going to get better, but probably not as quickly as they have been. I’ve been saying for a few years that the future evolution will come through geometry.”
Toggling between the ‘DH’ and ‘XC’ modes is fairly easy thanks to a cable-operated, bar-mounted lever. In DH mode, the Strive CF pumps out 163mm (6.4in) of rear travel and has a slack 66-degree head angle and 73.5-degree seat angle, plus a low bottom bracket. “In DH mode, we kept a kinematic that’s comfortable and progressive,” says Barel. “I’ve noticed the precision of riding in downhill is completely different to enduro. We make a lot more mistakes [in enduro] because we get a lot more tired.”
Hit the lever and shift your weight forwards, and you’re into the XC mode, where travel is limited to 130mm (5.1in) and the suspension is firmer for more efficient pedalling, yet still active enough to maintain traction. Fabien feels this is a big advantage: “Compared to the standard shock adjustment, we can keep the bike active with harder suspension in XC mode.” The head and seat angles also get steepened by 1.5 degrees (to 67.5 and 75 degrees, respectively), while the bottom bracket gets raised by 20mm, all in a bid to get the bike scurrying up the climbs that bit quicker.
Canyon claim the system adds just 200g to the frame weight, and according to Joe, it’s extremely easy to get used to. “The first time testing in the car park is enough time for anyone to get used to it,” he reckons.
Race bred
Take a closer look at the geometry charts for the Strive CF and you’ll see it’s available with ‘Race’ geometry. So how does this differ? The key change is the extra length added to the top tube on the Race version, giving the bike a lengthier front centre (distance from BB to front wheel axle) and wheelbase.
While the standard medium frame offers a claimed effective top tube length of 600mm, this rises to a whopping 629mm on the medium Race frame – a radical departure from previous shorter offerings. When we asked Fabien if it took much convincing to get Canyon to produce the Race geometry, he said: “The R&D department are confident in the knowledge I bring. The Race geometry is an opportunity for customers to re-centre their body mass on the bike for better efficiency and load on the front wheel.” And does Joe think it helps? “The extra stability is definitely something you notice. The longer bikes are here to stay.”
It’s fair to say Canyon’s approach to travel and geometry adjustment is pretty special, and so far, it seems to be working.
TRES BON
French wheel wonders Mavic supply the Canyon enduro team with their well-established 650b Crossmax Enduro wheels. These have been designed specifically for racing and use a 21mm internal diameter rim at the front and a 19mm internal diameter rim at the rear.
SHAPESHIFTING
Joe says the Shapeshifter adjustment is easy to use and a real benefit during an enduro race. “Depending on the stage, I’ll change up [between the DH and XC modes] for small power climbs or flatter, more agile sections. Basically, where the trail suits, it’s prime for some shapeshifting!”
RACE READY
To help promote a better position on the bike and more stability at speed, Canyon’s new Race geometry lengthens the top tube, and therefore the front centre, by nearly 30mm compared to the standard geometry.
PUSH THE BUTTON
Fabien Barel likes his accuracy and knows his numbers: “In an enduro stage, I’ll gear shift 20 times, move the post 10 times and use the Shapeshifter five times on average.”
BRAKING NEWS
In terms of set-up, Barnes isn’t one for doing anything too quirky, though he does run his front brake closer in to the bar than his rear brake.
THE 36 REVIVAL
Fox have redesigned their burly 36 fork for 2015 and, according to Joe, it’s better than ever. The FIT RC2 damper lets you adjust the low-speed and high-speed compression damping to help tune the 170mm (6.7in) of travel perfectly for the terrain.
PRICE: 6433$ delivered
Canyon Strive – Features & Facts With Joe Barnes (video)
