Earlier this year, German direct-to-consumer bicycle company Canyon announced that it would be opening the Canyon website to purchases from South Africa. Building on this initial launch, Canyon invited the South African cycling media to a launch day at Mont Marie wine farm in Stellenbosch last week. Here Canyon outlined their plans to distribute and market the brand in South Africa.
Erik Kleinhans heads up Canyon South Africa
Erik Kleinhans is the man on the ground for Canyon in South Africa.
Distinguished South African mountain bike racer Erik Kleinhans heads up the local operations for Canyon. Erik has worked with Canyon for a number of years, managing and riding for the Canyon Topeak professional team. Kleinhans will act as the brand’s contact point in South Africa, overseeing technical and after-sales service, warranties, events and marketing in order to up the presence of the brand locally.
Canyon’s plans for South Africa
To close the gap between Germany and South Africa, Canyon has invested in a comprehensive demo bike fleet which will be available to interested riders for testing. The range includes the Aeroad, Ultimate, Speedmax road bikes, the Grail gravel bike, with a full-size curve of the Lux and Spectral mountain bikes. Kleinhans wants to encourage consumers to take up the opportunity to test ride the demo bikes. The demo fleet will be available in Stellenbosch and other parts of the country shortly.
Canyon South Africa boasts an impressive demo fleet.
Canyon plans to have a physical presence in South Africa through local partners who will act as service centres for the brand. These technical centres will assist with after sales repair and warranties. All sales will continue to take place solely through the Canyon website.
Canyon’s business model
Florian Schecklmann, Canyon’s EMEA Market Manager, explains the Canyon model and Kleinhans’ involvement in the video below:
Canyon South Africa launch event
Along with Canyon’s South African plans, their local demo fleet was unveiled to the cycling media at Mont Marie wine farm in Stellenbosch. A splendid venue for testing bikes with fun, flowing trails right on the farm and a broad road just outside the gate, including a gravel section.
Much like kids in a candy store, we wanted to ride everything and between the Bike Hub team members, we rode the Grail gravel bike (sporting the unique Hoverbar cockpit), the Aeroad and Ultimate road bikes, as well as the Lux and Spectral mountain bikes. It’s a rare treat to test such a wide range of brand’s bikes back-to-back and it’s not an experience limited to the media, the public is invited to ride these bike too.