2019 Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 Team - Unboxing!?

Usually I cringe when I have to open a bike box because there are so many layers of packing tape.

Canyon however uses boxes that stay closed so they require only two small strips of tape! Nice attention to detail.

This isn't just a bike...

Inside the box you'll find lots of extras to help you with the build - and the usual useless stuff that is required by regulators.

All the tools you need for the job - including a usable torque wrench.

Most companies use packing tape and styrofoam to keep everything well-protected during transport. Canyon uses velcro strips and reusable foam pads. These will come in handy for shipping bikes back or transporting too many rigs on the back of trucks etc.

Overall there was much less waste than other bikes we've received, and vastly less plastic.

But then I opened this box... All that was inside was some extra mounting bolts for the chainguide.

Once out of the box all that was left to do was remove the bars from the protective box and install. And that should be easy...

This was weird. I imagine this is a nylon sac you can keep your tools in? I can only guess the paper 'for you' label is the result of consumers thinking this is trash and throwing it away?

Well isn't that special! The barcode links to canyon.com/derailleur Unfortunately on my phone it took me to a page in German referring to cookies (I think) and there was no way out of it I could find. On my laptop I found useful info on both SRAM Type 2 and Shimano Shadow Plus derailleurs.

Most stems require four bolts to remove the face plate. A few have only two bolts and a hinge, or two pinch bolts - but that wouldn't do on a consumer direct bike because you'd have to remove your grip and controls from one side. This stem however requires you to remove six bolts and the entire top of the stem.

That's right - for some reason Canyon has not only chosen to spec a two piece stem, they are responsible for the design of this 'Canyon G5' component as well.

The top and bottom pieces are clamped to the steerer individually so the bottom piece remains in place while you install the bar. That way, if the stem was assembled properly at the factory it's guaranteed to be straight once the stem is back together. Installing the bar is easier than stems with faceplates because gravity holds everything together while you reinstall all six bolts to the appropriate torque reading using the supplied tools. So there is some utility to the design.

Apparently the opposite of OK is NOK? And I was just never informed? Google says this acronym is used frequently in IT and Science.

There was a sticker on these SRAM cranks (that may have said something about pedal washers?) that failed to come off in one piece despite my very careful attempt. Detail fail.

Instead of cable porn you get cable salad on the Strive CFR 9.0 Team. A bike of this level, and with this many cables and lines, should have tidier runs but these are far too long. TBF the post release was wound around whatever cable it sits next to incorrectly (foreground) by yours truly, making it look even worse than it is.

Here's a static image of what's inside the housing. This little piston works in binary fashion. It moves in and out, changing the pitch of the shock as you'll see below. When it moves the geo, travel, shock rate, and kinematics are all said to change. Even the anti-squat is apparently affected, to improve pedalling dynamics in the lower travel position.

Here's what the ShapeShifter looks like installed. It's entirely concealed but, despite the plastic cover, it somehow manages not to look like Civic with a whale tail. And it certainly looks better with the cover than it would without.

I was particularly impressed with the Mavic wheels. These Deemax Pro models are not listed on the Mavic site currently, but they weigh 1810 grams with aluminum rims and fancy 'Zircal' straight pull spokes. These look better than any carbon Mavics I've seen.

I think the yellow hubs work well with the monochromatic canvas, but I'm sure many riders will disagree. Rims are 28mm internal front and 25mm rear.

Multi colour branding on a spoke! While I'm sure these spokes work great, are easy to lace and replace, I wouldn't want to try and find one on a race weekend. As more and more wheels are spec'd with easy to find j-bend spokes in standard lengths, proprietary systems like this will become increasingly unattractive to un-sponsored hardcore riders. If a trio of spokes came in the box... now we'd be talking.

A nice set of rubber you won't need to upgrade out of the gate.

Another downside of Zircal spokes is that they need to be protected from the chain and you'll be looking like a Joey with this plastic disc on board.