RGR Risers Gonna Raise (hybrid commuted geared bikes) "Fitness" "Dadbike" "Gentleman"

Slightly shortened Review below..

Canyon have brought out the bike of my dreams, well my written articles. The Canyon Commuter 7.0 combines all the elements of one bike to rule them all, for all around commuting/city riding duties: internal hub gear; disc brakes; a dynamo front hub and light; mudguards; and the ability to mount a rear rack. I. Had. To. Ride. It.

I’ve never had as many lingering looks, double takes, and flat out stares riding any bike, as I got riding this one. People are intrigued by how this bike appears, the in-built dynamo powered light which gives it a little snout, the steep dive of the top tube into the seat stays, the rounded curves of the tubing, with no visible welds or cable runs. The bike looks like it’s come from the future to show every other bike what they could be, sleeker, shinier, better. But as with all modernism, there are some who shun a better tomorrow, so the Canyon Commuter also elicits muttered expletives, frowns and queries about what is it? No really what is it?

For over a month I rode this bike everywhere, 15 mile commutes, quick nips around town, slow treks along tow paths, and it dealt with them admirably, equipped with 35mm tyres that make it feel weird to start off with, but a couple of miles in feels super stable and nimble, eating up bumps, lumps and depressions in the road. This version of the bike comes with hydraulic disc brakes, providing lots of modulation and feel, whilst still being powerful enough to stop you when you need it, even in the wet. The Alfine 8 speed hub, was glorious, though the gearing at some points felt too big, and it took a bit of oomph to get the bike going from lights but once you did get it going the bike felt like it would roll forever, and changing gear whilst coasting or stopped at lights was a commute changer. The Alfine gear shift indicator though, can jog the fuck on.

I loved this bike, loved it more than I thought I would, my only major gripe was with the handle bars and the subsequent lack of hand positions, which alongside the slightly too small review frame, aluminium tubing, which I’ve never got on with, shit load of seat post on display, meant I was putting a lot of pressure through my wrists, which ached in response for the entire time I had the bike.

If money was no object this is the bike that should be at the heart of any bike scheme, a modern sexy bike to ride around town on. But here’s the rub, the Canyon Commuter is a bike that will be brought by people who already know bikes, and can afford the sphincter tightening £1600 it costs. If they could get it under a grand and into cycle scheme territory, I would be the first to say if you want a bike to ride to work, and to ride to play this is the one. But it isn’t, so the majority of people who need this bike in their lives won’t be able to have it… And that’s a pity.