The understated Nerve AL
The understated Nerve AL

Canyon Nerve AL 9.9 29er

 

Canyon Nerve AL 9.9 29er

 

Words by Alastair McNeill

 

As mentioned in the Preview of the Canyon Nerve AL 9.9, this review came about with a fairly specific task in mind: the Grand Raid Cristalp. In it 24th year, this event is up there with the hardest one day mountain biking events on the calendar, so I needed a bike that was going to get me through the 125km route and up the 5200m of Alpine climbing without too many tears; and then down again without breaking anything, neither man or machine…

 

So it was with the Cristalp in mind, that CycleTechReview.com lined up the Canyon Nerve AL 9.9, described as a “tour” or “marathon” bike, hoping that this full suspension 29er would prove to be the best tool for the job.

 

I have been slow to get on board the 29er band wagon. Whilst the debate goes on and I continue to read those that make their cases for one or the other, or now increasingly for the third, middle ground option, occupied by the 650b (or 27.5 inch), I have never seen the need to replace my tried and tested 26-inch wheel. So the Nerve AL and its 29er Mavic Crossmax ST wheels would have a lot to prove to me.

 

After an expected 9 hours of riding – you can read the story of my Grand Raid Cristalp on BritishCycleSport.com – would I still want more Canyon Nerve AL 9.9 or would I be glad to return it to Canyon UK headquarters in Kingston?… Read More >

 

 

 

 

 

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Written by

Simon Whiten (London and Northumberland, UK) has been riding for over 20 years and raced the road and the track extensively in the UK and Europe. He is obsessed with the turbo trainer and the ‘shortcut to race fitness’.

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2 Responses

  1. Adam says:

    The suspension is 110mm both ends not 100mm as stated. I measured my front forks to confirm and the green rear shock lever logo says 110 !

  1. 05/06/2014

    […] Canyon Nerve AL 9.9 29er […]

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