Canyon Nerve AL 9.9

And Nerve has matching Avid Elixir front brake and Mavic Crossmax front wheel

In the two weeks since I received this bike we have bonded well. First in the Pyrenees, where I took it up, over and down all manner of climbs and descents, and then to the Costa Brava where I continued to seek out harsh and inhospitable terrain to train on. Not only has this bike not complained, but I get the strong suspicion it is willing me on. I have to say that so far things are going well.

Canyon Nerve’s riding position is ‘comfortable’ – ideal for those long climbs?

The riding position is relatively upright and almost as comfortable as my favourite reading chair. The Mavic Crossmax wheels and Schwalbe 2.25 tyres roll uncomplainingly over everything that has been placed in front of them; by that I mean that roots, big rocks (really, some of the rocks were just horrible), sand, wet grass, mud and screed. The weather has not always been kind this summer, but the heat, mud, dust, wet and even ball bearing sized hail stones have not caused me any undue concern. The hydro formed aluminium frame is solidly constructed and internal routing protects the cabling as much as possible from the elements.

My initial fears about the handling have been largely allayed. The front end requires a little extra work at times compared to a traditional 26inch wheel, but my faith has always been repaid. And if in any trouble or doubt just hold your nerve and go straight. The Fox CTD suspension (100mm on the front) has proved to be well up to everything so far and has adequate adjustment to suit all conditions. The Fox CTD rear float allows the rider to choose from 3 settings based on terrain (decent, trail and climb). I have to say that the difference between each is not always immediately obvious, but the climb mode provides a pretty stiff back end, though not a lock out, which ensures that it feels efficient and there seems to be a minimal loss of energy.

Canyon’s lock-out on Fox front suspension