Press release
The original Exceed was raced to World Championship victory, shattered the course record at Leadville, and repeatedly rocketed to World Cup podiums at Albstadt, Cairns, Nove Mesto, and Val di Sole. How do you improve on all that? Like this. The all new Exceed is lighter, stiffer, and carries you over rough courses with absolute control.
CFR – This Is The New Speed Of Light
The new Exceed CFR (Canyon Factory Racing) possesses one of the lightest production frames on earth. Bold claims aside, here are the facts: Our premier, carbon CFR frame tips the scales at a mere 835 grams. That’s astonishing. More to the point, it’s what gets you to the top of the climb and across the finish line first.
Enter The Unicorn
The CFR is one of the very few bikes in the world to utilise something we call “unicorn hair” — an uncommon carbon fibre (Toray M40X) that is so cost prohibitive and hard to come by that it’s rarely used in the cycling industry. We also call the stuff unicorn hair because it is both stiff and strong. In the world of carbon fibre, that’s an even rarer thing…and it’s what enabled us to make the CFR so damn light. Generally speaking, particularly strong carbon fibres are not particularly stiff and stiff fibres are not particularly strong. Because unicorn hair is both strong and stiff, we can add fewer reinforcing fibres to the frame and create an astonishingly lightweight bike without sacrificing strength or stiffness. Light plus strong, plus stiff…equals victory.
Cutting Edge Carbon… For All
We believe every rider should have the best possible bike no matter their budget. That principle is one of the things that sets Canyon apart and it’s why every Canyon Exceed frame possesses the same core features and is built using the same carbon moulding process. All the geeky bells and whistles you’ll find on the Canyon Factory Racing “CFR” model (including our exacting tube profiles, integrated seatpost clamp, Impact Protection Unit, dropper post compatibility, Quixle, etc) are also featured on our more afford- able models.
So, what’s the actual difference between the Exceed CFR, SLX, and CF frame platforms? The exact blend of carbon materials and composite layup differ, yielding very similar stiffness and ride quality, but at varying stiffness to weight ratios. Or to be less nerdy about it, as you go up the line, the frames get lighter. All frame weights below are for size Medium and (per the DIN standard) include artwork, chain suck plate, chainstay protector, integrated seatpost clamp, and universal derailleur hanger.
CFR FRAME WEIGHT: 835G
SLX FRAME WEIGHT: 1,015G
CF FRAME WEIGHT: 1,312G
Complete Control
It’s no secret–World Cup cross country courses have gotten rowdy. That’s why we gave the new Exceed a thoroughly modern yet balanced geometry that boosts your control on tough terrain while still proving quick and nimble through the tightest trails. In practical terms, we slackened the head angle to 69 degrees, increased the reach 10 millimetres, moved to 80 millimetre stems on all frame sizes, and shortened the rear centre 2 millimetres. The end result is a bike that’s both confident on tough descents and an absolute rocket on steep climbs and through tight corners.
Stellar Handling, In Every Size
It’s a simple principle: your bike should fit you — not the other way around. And, yet, frame geometry is often com- promised if you’re either short or tall. The Exceed boasts stellar handling in every frame size.
The new Exceed features 29er wheels and room for two water bottles, even in the new XS size, which fits riders down to 158cm (5’2”). What’s more, we continue to equip the Exceed with frame size specific chainstays. Chainstay length grows on Large and X Large frames, giving riders of all heights ideal weight distribution and superior handling.
Built For Speed
While we obsessed over every detail of the new Exceed frame, we paid just as keen attention to each component fitted to that frame. CFR and SLX models feature a new, full carbon mountain bike cockpit that tidies up your handlebar/front end while providing you with an aero- dynamic riding position that shaves precious seconds from your best efforts.
What’s more, we partnered with DT Swiss to create ultra-light dropper posts specifically for the Exceed. The novel droppers are available in carbon (CFR) and aluminium (SLX) and provide racers with 60mm of seat height adjustability. More to the point, the DT Posts are among the lightest production dropper posts available today, weighing in at 390 grams (carbon post with remote) and 420 grams (alloy post with remote). We build every Exceed to be that rare combination of uncompromising performance and outstanding value.
Every Detail Matters
Every Exceed is loaded with smart details that tangibly improve performance.
Frame Protection
Our Impact Protection Unit (IPU) protects the Exceed’s carbon frame by preventing the handlebars from over rotating into the top tube. We refined the IPU on the new Exceed, reducing its size and integrating it even more neatly within the frame.
Swank Clamp, Less Mess
We streamlined the new Exceed with an integrated seatpost clamp. Likewise, we reduced the potential for mud build up by equipping the Exceed with sludge shedding tube profiles, adopted from our World Championship winning Inflite cyclocross bike.
Clean Cable Routing
The new Exceed even takes tidy cable routing to a higher level. A novel headset design enables us to route the cables within the headset. This, in turn, allows for tighter cable routing with no loss in shifting performance or binding sensation in the steering. The end result is less cockpit clutter, a lighter steering feel, and a design that ultimately enabled us to create a lighter, stiffer headtube.
A Truly Universal Derailleur Hanger
We equipped the Exceed with a universal DERAILLEUR HANGER that protects your derailleur during impacts (by pivoting back and out of the way), improves day to day shifting performance and works with all drivetrains, should you upgrade at some point in the future.
Stiff, Precise, and Simple
Our Quixle through axle design boosts stiffness yet tucks neatly into the axle, providing easy, tool-free wheel removal.
looks a lot like my 6 year old open which is a compliment - Although my 6 year old open is a few grams lighter in a large
Nice looking bike