Canyon Grand Canyon:ON 9 review

German brand's premium motorised hardtail punches above its weight

This competition is now closed

By Mick Kirkman

Published: September 12, 2022 at 5:00 pm

Canyon's Grand Canyon:ON 9, like all of its electric mountain bikes, uses a Shimano motor. The bike is intended to pair the best facets of Canyon's Grand Canyon hardtail with an EP8 drive unit, making it a versatile performer on the trails and in the city.

That Shimano motor provides ample torque and power, with three modes (Eco, Trail and Boost).

The spec list includes a Fox 34 Rhythm fork, Shimano gearing and braking and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance tyres.

The fat down tube conceals a full-size 630Wh battery, which, if you tune it for economical power usage, will deliver over 100km of range for lighter riders.

However, if you need to remove the powerpack to charge it, you have to undo four Allen bolts, which is a bit time-consuming.

The ON 9 has sophisticated aluminium tube profiles, with huge welds joining slimline rear stays (for increased compliance over rough ground) and a funky oversized seat tube.

Its geometry is modern without being radical, with the large frame we tested sporting a reach of 455mm.

A heavily sloped top tube keeps the frame out of the way on technical terrain and provides room to move about.

The Canyon also has a very low bottom bracket height, for a lower centre of gravity and stable rider position.

A dropper post is a welcome sight, with enough travel to suit taller riders. Canyon sensibly specs big 203mm brake rotors front and rear, too, so there's plenty of stopping power from the sorted Shimano brakes.

You need decent brakes to slow down the 2.6in Schwalbe tyres, which, although they have lots of cushioning and stability, have harder rubber than some other mountain bike tyres.

This means the blocky tread lasts well, but doesn't dig in and conform to the ground, so the tyres feel a bit nervous over roots and wet rocks.

They also have less traction than you need when you’re in the most powerful motor mode going uphill, where the rear tyre can wheelspin and upset your balance.

The Shimano STEPS cranks eat into the power. Even when seated, they twist and contort under power when using big flat pedals that exert a lot of leverage.

Heavy riders will want to swap them out (a relatively easy and inexpensive job). Everything else is totally sorted. The 120mm-travel Fox 34 Rhythm fork works well and you wouldn't want any more bounce upsetting the shape and balance of a hardtail mountain bike.

This bike impressed from the moment I slung a leg over it. It's rapid and has well considered geometry, which makes you feel planted and stable, without pedal strikes becoming an issue on lumpy ground.

With its balanced head angle, wide bar and short stem, there's a precise and reactive (yet not too eager) feel to the steering.

Lean the bike and you change direction smoothly, and it's easy to predict the handling, because it never seems to unsettle your position, even if you get airborne.

The Canyon rides like a ‘proper’ aggressive hardtail, yet it's still comfy and well-balanced around town.

The motor is far more powerful than its rivals, too. You can blast uphill, stream through the smooth 12-speed Shimano gears and always remain in the sweet spot for power delivery, and there's way more juice to drag a heavy rider up steep hills in the top modes.

As you can also tune it for maximum economy in Shimano's E-Tube app, it brings you the best of both worlds.Like all electric hardtails, the frame amplifies motor noise, but it does a good job of quietening trail chatter and feels smooth over choppy surfaces.

Although the Canyon has a plush Fox fork and a steep head angle, your weight doesn't get pitched about.

In fact, there's a real calmness if you let the bike rip through bombholes or deep berms.

We did have a major issue when the battery stopped communicating with the motor, but it's rare that Shimano's proven system fails, and all electric bikes are fallible.

Canyon sent out a new battery, as they would for a customer.

This is a stellar electric hardtail, with ample power and torque, that will suit urban adventurers as well as seasoned mountain bikers.

There's plenty of speed on tap, geometry is well thought-out and the steering reliable yet reactive.

Beyond a possible need for a tyre upgrade, Canyon's Grand Canyon:ON 9 is difficult to find fault with.

Electric hardtails such as the three on test here don't have any rear suspension, but do come with big, grippy tyres and front suspension to help smooth out the ride and boost confidence.

Specialized, Canyon and Orbea have designed these machines to handle proper mountain bike trails, but also to double up as all-purpose bikes, with features such as lockable batteries, lights, accessories mounts and kickstands.

We took them around our local woods and bridleways, and also on a camping trip to the Lake District with kids in tow, to find out which is the most practical and comfortable to sneak off to the trail centre on, nip about on gravel lanes on or explore the countryside with.

Contributor

Mick Kirkman is a bike and product tester for BikeRadar and MBUK magazine. A childhood spent messing about on, and then racing, BMXs eventually led to downhill and four-cross as an adult. Mick peaked at elite level in DH and was a dual slalom nationals medallist back when that was even a thing. As well as tinkering in bike development, he's ridden, raced and documented mountain biking non-stop for two decades, and is one of only a handful of bike testers experienced enough to have hundreds of reviews in print and on the web. Mick is also a talented photographer, taking images for BikeRadar and MBUK magazine among others.