FIRST RIDES

After success as a prototype under the likes of Troy Brosnan, Tahnée Seagrave and Luca Shaw, Canyon finally released their new Sender downhill bike earlier this year.

- Luke Marshall

The move to a high-pivot suspension design helps deliver stability at speed and means the bike won't have you wincing as you batter through the rough stuff. Plus, the frame offers up masses of adjustment. What's more, this Team edition comes fitted with some killer kit, making it a true consideration for any privateer racer looking to save a bit of cash without scrimping on performance.

THE FRAME

The latest Sender CFR is a 200mm-travel, carbon fibre bike built for outright speed rather than minimal weight. Both the front and rear triangles are made from Canyon's 'CFR'-grade carbon, with a targeted layup that adds stiffness around key load-zones such as the bottom bracket and main pivot, while saving material elsewhere. Polymer-reinforced carbon - a tougher composite developed for Canyon's freeride bikes - is used on the down tube and other exposed areas to boost impact resistance.

Durability and serviceability were design priorities, resulting in double-sealed bearings, replaceable threaded inserts and extensive frame protection, which includes a full down tube guard, linkage covers and chainstay armour.

While the frame uses a standard 148mm-wide Boost axle, Canyon have worked with DT Swiss to create a custom hub featuring a narrower freehub body and wider flange spacing than usual, to maximise stiffness. This matches the internal dimensions and stiffness of a 157mm hub while fitting within a slimmer 148mm shell though a regular Boost wheel will also fit in the frame.