We take a closer look at Canyon’s longest-travel eMTB

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Published: Wednesday, 05 June 2024 at 15:15 PM


Canyon’s big-hitting Torque:ON electric mountain bike has arrived at BikeRadar HQ, and with 175mm of rear travel, it looks ready to tackle the gnarliest trails our testers can throw it down.

The bike is based on Canyon’s freeride/bike-park inspired Torque, except the German brand says you can save on the park ticket and ride to the top of the trails.

Shimano’s EP8 motor provides the power and can be connected to a 720Wh or 900Wh battery in the down tube.

We’ve got our hands on the top-of-the-range Torque:ON CF 9, which is priced at £7,149 / €7,499 and sees shimmers of Kashima-coated Fox suspension, as well as Shimano’s XT groupset.

Before we get some miles on the bike, let’s take a closer look at the details.

Motocross-inspired frame

The Torque:ON has 15mm more travel than the Strive:ON electric enduro bike. – Nick Clark / Our Media

Canyon has given the Torque:ON a carbon fibre frameset that takes inspiration from its downhill bike, the Sender.

The brand also says it has looked to the world of motocross when designing the frame, making sure the bike remains agile and capable despite the extra weight of the battery and motor.

This has resulted in a frame rated to Category 5e in the EFBE’s Tri-Test – an industry body test of the strength and resilience of bike frames – meaning it can withstand downhill and bike-park trails.

Canyon says this is the highest rating for any electric mountain bike in its line-up.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Shimano EP8 motor
This motor is the EP801 model. – Nick Clark / Our Media

At the centre of the bike is a Shimano EP8 electric bike motor, which provides 85Nm of torque and 250W of continuous power.

Canyon gives the option of a 720Wh or 900Wh motor, touting the first as adding more agility to the bike and the latter as adding miles to your ride.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with sump guard
The sump guard is rubberised, unlike the one found on the Strive:ON. – Nick Clark / Our Media

The battery can be removed, and in keeping with the motocross design principles, there is a sump guard at the bottom that protects the motor and battery port.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 linkage
The Torque:ON CF 9’s linkage looks heavy-duty. – Nick Clark / Our Media

The rear linkage provides 175mm of rear travel. There is no flip chip, meaning the bike can only be run as a mullet setup, with a 29in front wheel and a 27.5in rear wheel.

Hydration Station

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Hydration Station
The bottle sits within the top tube. – Nick Clark / Our Media

With the rear shock, adjacent to the down tube, Canyon has included a novel solution to water storage.

Canyon Fuel 650 bottle
We’re not sure how easy this bottle will be to clean. – Nick Clark / Our Media

A recess in the top tube, called the Hydration Station, holds a prism-shaped 650ml bottle within the frame.

Friction is used to keep the bottle in place, although a strap is also provided to ensure it doesn’t pop out on heavy compressions.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Hydration Station
This space could be used for carrying other ride essentials. – Nick Clark / Our Media

The area looks to open up other possibilities for mounting accessories, and we’d love to see a speaker attachment to replace the silent zen of the trails with pumping techno. 

Aggressive geo

With its downhill focus, it’s no surprise the Torque:ON has an aggressive geometry.

The bike comes in four sizes, ranging from S to XL, all of which see a slack 63.5-degree head angle, 445mm chainstay lengths and a 77.5-degree effective seat tube angle.

Reach is a little longer than other eMTBs, with a size-M stretching to 475mm.

Top-tier spec

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Fox Factory 38 forks
The Fox Factory 38 comes with a Grip 2 damper. – Nick Clark / Our Media

This top-spec model comes equipped with Fox Factory suspension, with a 180mm Factory 38 used at the front and an X2 Factory in the frame to control the 175mm of travel.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Shimano XT derailleur
Shimano’s XT is a benchmark groupset. – Nick Clark / Our Media

Shimano supplies its XT M8100 drivetrain and brakes.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Shimano XT brakes
Large rotors provide better braking. – Nick Clark / Our Media

A 220mm brake rotor is used on the front of the bike for improved performance, while a 203mm rotor is fitted at the rear.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with DT Swiss HFR1700
The HFR1700 is a heavy-duty wheelset from DT Swiss. – Nick Clark / Our Media

The bike rolls on DT Swiss HFR1700 wheels, wrapped in Maxxis tyres.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Maxxis Assegai
This Maxxis Assegai has EXO protection. – Nick Clark / Our Media

There’s a 2.4in Minion DHR II on the rear wheel, with a 2.5in Assegai at the front.

Canyon Torque:On CF 9 with Shimano eMTB display
A display on the handlebar shows speed, assistance level and range. – Nick Clark / Our Media

The cockpit is supplied by Canyon in-house and an 800mm alloy bar is mounted to a 45mm alloy stem.