Strive (Enduro)
Origin
Canyon introduced the Strive in 2015 as its answer to the newly explosive Enduro World Series scene, and from day one it carried the idea that would define the platform: Shapeshifter, a gas-piston mechanism that shifts the shock mount on the rocker link so the rider can flip between a slack, long-travel descending setup and a steeper, firmer climbing position without getting off the bike. The first-generation Strive was a 27.5in bike offered in both aluminium and carbon with around 160mm of rear travel. In 2019 Canyon completely reworked it around big 29in wheels, dropped the alloy frame, split the range into CF and lighter CFR carbon, and introduced Shapeshifter 2.0. The 2022 redesign pushed the concept furthest yet: the Strive became a CFR-only, 170/160mm full race weapon with far slacker geometry, developed alongside Canyon's factory enduro and EWS/EDR riders. As a direct-to-consumer brand with no dealer markup, Canyon has consistently undercut rivals on price for the spec, which is a large part of the Strive's reputation.
Specifications
- Frame
- CFR carbon (2022+ race generation, CFR-only); earlier generations offered CF carbon and, in gen 1, aluminium
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Shimano XTR 1x12 (XTR shifter/derailleur, XT 10-51t cassette, Race Face Next R 32t carbon cranks) on the CFR build
- Brakes
- Shimano XTR 4-piston hydraulic disc, 200-203mm rotors front and rear (CFR build)
- Wheels
- DT Swiss EX 511 rims on DT Swiss 350 hubs, 29in (CFR); 2021 model used DT Swiss EXC 1200 carbon
The verdict
- Shapeshifter genuinely works - two distinct, useful bikes (efficient climber / composed descender) with no stopping to flip a chip
- Exceptional value for the spec thanks to Canyon's direct-sell model - repeatedly the cheapest bike in enduro group tests
- Stable, planted, grippy chassis that comes alive at high speed with a low BB and slack geometry
- Suspension and frame can feel harsh at low speed and when cruising - it's tuned for race pace
- Stock tyres and 170mm dropper are under-specced for the bike's descending capability, especially on larger sizes
- Long reach and Shapeshifter add complexity - careful sizing needed, and the mechanism is a maintenance/reliability item to watch on older bikes
Generations
Gen 1 (2015-2018)
- Original Shapeshifter 1.0 - clever but the gas piston had reliability issues
- Travel
- 170/160mm
- Wheels
- 27.5in
- Frame
- Alloy or carbon
Gen 2 (2019-2021)
- Full 29er redesign, alloy dropped, Shapeshifter 2.0, split into CF and lighter CFR
- Travel
- 170/150-160mm
- Wheels
- 29in
- Frame
- CF or CFR carbon
Gen 3 (2022-2024)
- CFR-only race bike, far slacker (63deg head angle), FOX 38 + Float X2, refined Shapeshifter
- Travel
- 170/160mm (Shred), ~140mm (Pedal)
- Wheels
- 29in
- Frame
- CFR carbon only
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | Strive (Gen 1) | Strive CF / CFR (Gen 2) | CurrentStrive CFR (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2015 | 2019 | 2023 |
| Frame | Aluminium or CF carbon | CF or CFR carbon | CFR carbon (race, CFR-only) |
| Drivetrain | — | Shimano XT/XTR | Shimano XTR 1x12 |
| Brakes | — | — | Shimano XTR 4-piston, 200-203mm |
| MSRP | — | €5,999 | €6,299 |
| Purpose | Value | Balanced | Flagship |
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