QUICK HITS
• Bosch Performance Line SX System
• 60Nm / 600W
• 400Wh CompactTube Internal Battery
• 140mm Horst Link Suspension
WE DIG
WE DON'T
ABOUT THE CANYON NEURON:ONFLY CF 7
The Neuron:ONfly CF is the lightweight trail eMTB in Canyon's range, packing 140mm travel with trail-friendly geometry and a Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit to add power for the climbs.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | The Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7 uses the popular Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, and for good reason. With an impressive 600W Peak Power output and 55Nm Torque from this 2kg (4.4lbs) motor as standard, it stacks up well in the light eBike field. Recently Bosch released an update to increase maximum assistance to 400%, and max torque to 60Nm.
Bosch powers the SX drive unit with the 400Wh and 2.5kg (5.5lbs) CompactTube battery, which is fixed within the downtube of the Neuron:ONfly and requires removal of the motor to change. It can be boosted by 250Wh using the PowerMore Range Extender, adding useful range for its 1.5kg (3.3lbs) additional weight.
The typical top tube integrated Bosch System controller features the power button, a mode selection button, and 6 LEDs. Five LEDs are used to indicate battery level in 10% increments, while the sixth is used to indicate the power mode selected. On the handlebar, the Bosch wireless Mini Remote allows the rider to switch power modes and use the Walk function. We enjoy the relative simplicity of this system, but appreciate that some riders may seek more information – you can add a Bosch display if this is the case.
Using the Bosch eBike Flow App, riders can connect to the bike and perform numerous functions. There's the ability to customize power modes; plan rides and estimate range; apply updates over-the-air; use the security features to lock and track the bike, and much more.
FRAME AND FEATURES | The Neuron:ONfly is currently offered in carbon fiber only, with a category 3e rating that deems it suitable for general trail e-mountain biking including rough and technical terrain. It is built around 29" wheels on both ends only, with no provisions to adjust geometry.
The carbon Neuron:ONfly frame has room for a generous water bottle or the Bosch Range Extender; there's a large plastic motor cover to offer protection; and a neat sprung charge port cover flap. Rubber protection is added to the chainstay on the drive side to fend off chain damage and noise. The Acros headset with internal cable routing features a block lock function, preventing the bars from turning enough to risk cable damage.
SUSPENSION | The Neuron:ONfly features Canyon's Triple Phase Horst Link suspension, with 140mm rear travel and a 140mm fork. Triple Phase promises a sensitive initial stroke; stable mid-stroke, and progressive end to the travel, delivering what Canyon considers to be optimal kinematics. The result out on the trail was a fairly well-mannered rear end, though the end of the travel could be found relatively easily when the terrain got particularly burly.
GEOMETRY | Canyon gave the Neuron:ONfly some capable geometry numbers, offering plentiful stability to promote confidence for faster sections of trail. As we'll discuss in the ride impressions, there were both pros and cons to the numbers that Canyon selected for this machine.
There's a wide five-size range, spanning XS to XL. The XS is claimed to suit riders under 166cm (5'5"), and the XL riders over 192cm (6'4"). The XS size retains 29" wheels, but drops travel to 130mm to help to reduce the stack and ensure a comfortable position.
Geometry is not size-specific on sizes S-XL, aside from the Reach and Stack. There's a 64.5° Head Angle; 76.5° Effective Seat Tube; 36mm BB drop, and 450mm chainstay length. Reach grows in 25mm increments and Stack in 9mm increments through the size range, letting most riders get close to their optimal fit.
The size Large tested featured a 485mm Reach; 644mm Stack, and 445mm Seat Tube. The insertion depth allowed for the generous 200mm dropper fitted to be slammed in the frame. Total wheelbase was 1271mm – fairly sprawling for a size Large trail eMTB.
BUILD SPECS | Canyon offers the Neuron:ONfly in a range of builds, centered around the same carbon fiber frame and Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit. Depending on the region, the available builds change, with the North American market currently only receiving the Neuron:ONfly CF 7 we tested, which retails for $5,499 / £4,499 / €4,899. Higher spec levels are available in Europe, topping out at the Neuron:ONfly CF LTD with a retail price of £7,449 / €7,999.
Common themes between the builds are a 34-35mm stanchion forks; lightweight in-line rear shocks; 200mm rotors on both ends with powerful brakes, and relatively long travel dropper posts.
The CF 7 model is the entry level spec offering, and features a fairly modest components selection, but with quality where it matters. There's a RockShox suspension package, with the Pike Base 140mm fork and Deluxe Select+ rear shock. SRAM provides their 4-piston Code R brakes. Shimano's Deore 12-speed drivetrain offers dependable shifting, with a 170mm alloy FSA crank driving the motor.
Canyon's in-house Canyon:ON components are used for the cockpit and dropper post, with solid quality. Then there's the in-house Canyon grips, which we consider to be some of the worst stock grips in the industry. A Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 saddle is good to see, and was agreeable.
Rounding out the build is a RODI TRYP30 EVO wheelset, wrapped in a Schwalbe Hans Dampf and Nobby Nic tire combination. These tires were relatively well suited to the Neuron:ONfly, though the Speedgrip rubber in the rear and flimsy Super Trail casings limited the traction on offer.
Overall the Neuron:ONfly CF 7 in a size large tipped the scales at bang-on 20kg, or 44.1lbs, as stock. Certainly a respectable weight for a fairly wallet-friendly eMTB.
THE DIRT
As Canyon's first entry to the mid-power eMTB market, the Neuron:ONfly CF 7 lightweight electric mountain bike represents an interesting offering with a clear rider group in mind – the trail center enthusiast. While this light eBike didn't quite provide the ultra-playful ride that we had hoped, once ridden on the flowiest trails that Scotland has to offer, it really came alive. We could see it being the perfect rig for many eBikers out there, but as gravity-favoring mountain bikers, it wouldn't be our first choice.
SETUP | Less adjustable suspension can make setup either easier or harder, depending on the character of the particular bike. Some suspension systems and suspension units need to be fettled and tweaked to get them to behave in the desired manner, however the Canyon falls into the fuss-free camp. Getting a comfortable blend of sensitivity while retaining trail center-appropriate support was simply a case of setting fork air pressure to the RockShox recommendation; the rear shock to 30% sag, and tweaking the rebound setting and compression dials to suit. The cockpit components have comfortable geometry, though we immediately switched out the Canyon grips – we've learned the hard way that these offer very poor comfort.
ELECTRONICS & INTEGRATION | The Bosch Performance Line SX system is a solid performer in the mid-power space. Favoring a higher cadence to unlock the full 600W Peak Power, it's not a system for the hard-gear grinding riders out there; but will provide spin-to-winners with impressive power for its weight. It's well controlled, fairly smooth and sufficiently quiet to keep most happy. The Bosch ecosystem is clean and effective, and Canyon's choice not to spec a screen helps to deliver a fairly clutter-free cockpit. Riders could purchase a Bosch display if they desired more information as they ride.
Headset cable routing is still here, we're afraid to say. Whether it's going to stick around forever we're unsure – we're hoping not! That said, there are some benefits to the overall cleanliness of the cockpit that are undeniable. The Acros system on the Canyon worked without much complaint, avoiding creaking within its plastic architecture throughout testing.
CLIMBING | When I gave the Neuron:ONfly CF a flowy singletrack climb, it was one of the most fun rigs I've ever climbed. With the Bosch SX system rewarding you for your inputs and boosting your speed; solid climbing geometry; supportive yet comfortable suspension platform; and a fast-rolling tire combo, you can absolutely rip uphill. There's lots of weight on the front wheel to make weaving up tight and steep climbs pleasant, and the overall weight is low enough for technical moves. Pedal clearance is quite poor due to the low BB and 170mm crank spec, so when it gets chunky you need to be mindful, but otherwise it's an excellent climbing machine.
DESCENDING | I went into the test with a misconception about the intention of the Neuron:ON Fly CF and character that would result. I'd assumed it was more in the mid-power electrified Spectral 125 camp (which is a bike that Canyon should absolutely consider making) and would be a playful and aggressive riot. The Neuron:ON Fly CF is not that bike, instead with more sensible intentions. Make no mistake though, with the correct mindset and trails, it's a very fun and effective machine.
What is that mindset, and what trails does it shine on? Well, as I alluded to, the Neuron:ON Fly CF7 is a formidable trail center machine, especially if you've got a desire to go fast. On rolling trails with wide open turns, small jumps and the occasional patch of rough, it's a certified e-trail center weapon. You're encouraged to keep pedaling past the motor speed cut-off, still being rewarded for your efforts thanks to the SX system's minimal drag and plentiful suspension support under power. Pumping efforts are rewarded similarly well, and there's a reassuring feeling of stability and confidence thanks to the geometry once up to speed. The angles offer great stability, and the low BB provides a reassuring "in the bike" feeling that makes wide-open corners an absolute delight when combined with the well-centered body position.
It was when taking slightly bigger hits, or repeated mid-size drops and compressions, that the Canyon Neuron:ON Fly CF7 began to show its limits. The relatively simple dampers and fairly linear suspension were easy to overwhelm, and the confidence-inspiring fun was quickly replaced by sheer terror and white-knuckled holding on. As an enduro rider, it's easy to forget where that line needs to be drawn sometimes, so I regularly found myself in over my head on rides on my local trails. Traveling with flowy singletrack in mind yielded much more enjoyable results.
Beyond the ability to overwhelm the suspension, I was found asking myself if the geometry Canyon gave the Neuron:ONfly is sensible. After much deliberation, I concluded that it's a very well-selected geometry set for a more cautious rider, but may limit the fun factor a touch for more gung-ho riders. It is not ultra-agile and playful, thanks to its fairly long rear end and reach, which encourages riders to push harder and ride gnarlier trails. I'd imagine the higher spec levels would help to support harder charging efforts, so more experienced riders could still enjoy the Neuron:ONfly platform if they're prepared to dig a little deeper in their pockets.
The brake spec was great to see on this bike, offering plentiful power to slow down the ship without having to pull on them hard. The tires were well suited to its intentions, and I opted not to exchange them for some tackier and burlier offerings – as much as my gravity roots begged me to – to retain the trail-friendly nature, and prevent further overconfidence.
FINISH AND VALUE | Canyon does a killer job at providing a solid frame quality with a good spec for the money, thanks to their direct-to-consumer model. We're led to believe that their customer support is reasonable, though everyone has heard the horror stories of consumer direct brands. We'd always say it's worth considering if you are happy to rely on emails and phone calls to sort any potential issues, instead of having a brick-and-mortar location to see someone face-to-face. But the price difference in saving the middle man is undeniable – for $5,499 / £4,499 / €4,899, the Neuron:ONfly CF 7 stacks up well in terms of value proposition.
COMPONENT REPORT
RockShox Pike Base | The RockShox Pike Base did a stellar job, up to a point. Keeping within the intentions of the Neuron:ONfly, the balance of comfort and support was spot-on, but harder riding could leave it outgunned. It developed a prominent steerer tube creak at the end of the testing period, perhaps highlighting the inclination of the Canyon to out-ride the bike.
RODI TRYP30 EVO Wheelset | I hadn't heard of this company before, and went into the test with no preconceptions. Following total loosening of the spokes on both ends after the first couple of rides – a fate that is shared by other wheelsets frequently – they remained straight and true, and went about their business with minimal fuss.
The Wolf's Last Word
Overall, the Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7 offered an incredibly fun ride when kept within its limits. On undulating trail center terrain, and smoother high-speed trails where forces didn't climb too high, it was a confidence-inspiring riot. The stability provided by the geometry and supple suspension could easily lure the rider into a false sense of security though, getting the Neuron:ONfly in above its head.
WHO'S IT FOR?
If you're a rider who loves to lap trail centers and mellow pedal-access bikeparks, the Neuron:ONfly CF is a great machine. For more technical, burly or aggressive descending though it's better looking elsewhere, such as the Spectral:ONfly. 
Price: $5,499 / £4,499 / €4,899
Website: Canyon.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert's habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he's been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6'2" / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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