CANYON’S 2025 EXCEED CROSS-COUNTRY HARDTAIL GETS A FRESH ATTITUDE
The new Exceed is more capable and adventure-ready than ever, while staying true to its XC roots
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Embargoed until Friday 21st March 2025 11:00 CET: Since 2015, the Canyon Exceed has been raced to XCM World Championship victories, shattered course records at Leadville, and repeatedly rocketed to XCO World Cup podiums. With the recent progression of elite XC racing to more rowdy and technical courses that merit a full suspension setup to be the fastest, the new Exceed gets a fresh attitude, ready to take everything it’s learned from racing to the adventure riding scene.
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Built to make quick progress across the map, the new Exceed is more capable and adventure-ready than ever, all while staying true to its simple, speedy hardtail roots. No distractions. Fully engaged.
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Handling and ride feel
Forget skinny-tyred sketch-fests of the past, the new Exceed is an XC bike that won’t buck you into the bushes the moment you point it downhill. A slacker 67 deg. head angle combines with a 10 mm longer reach and wheelbase, and lower standover height for an extra dose of stability and composure when you pick up the pace.
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Just because hardtails do away with rear suspension doesn’t mean you can’t tune the ride quality. With the new Exceed, Canyon actively set out to reduce rear triangle lateral stiffness so that the rear wheel can track better through rough sections of trail, meaning more composure across technical terrain.
Canyon's benchmark VCLS 2.0 seat post alsmo makes a return, this time in a new 31.6mm width allowing for larger diameter dropper post upgrades in future. The patented VCLS carbon fibre flex post features on the range-topping Exceed CF 9. Its innovative leaf spring design takes the edge off bumps and vibrations for a seriously comfortable and energy-saving ride – a soft-tail feel without compromising any of your power.
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Capacity for Adventure
The Exceed has built a cult following in bikepacking circles for how it balances efficiency and capability. Faster than a gravel bike when the going gets rough, yet lighter than a full suspension setup, the Exceed is the sweet spot for many adventure seekers.
Mounting points on the bike allow for three 750ml bottles (apart from on the XS version) and the roomier front triangle allows space for a sizeable frame bag. Another winning feature was its front triangle space, which created more real estate for larger frame packs.
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Despite making the new Exceed more trail-capable with a lower standover height, Canyon’s design team was set on maintaining the front triangle volume of its predecessor thanks to the modified down tube configuration.
With bigger bottles and better-fitting frame bags, the Exceed is now even more of a bikepacker’s delight, especially with the third bottle mount which can double up as a tool storage point.
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Integrated storage in the down tube provides another a tool storage point with enough space for a tool snake so you can keep your frame bag for life’s other essentials. In the event of a flat, whip out the Canyon LOAD Tool Pouch (sold separately) from the down tube storage and quickly get going again with the CO2 cartridge, levers, tube, and whatever else you’ve chosen to pack for emergencies. Stowed away for when you need it, sealed from the elements, and always there so you never forget it.
Beyond the headlines, these details also matter:
Universal Derailleur Hanger and 12 mm axle: The UDH makes for easier serviceability, especially in the back and beyond.
Frame protection: For a quieter ride and less stress from stone strikes, we’ve beefed up the frame protection under the down tube and on both chainstays to fend off heel rub.
BSA threaded BB: Tried, tested and true, the new Exceed features a BSA threaded bottom bracket. Smooth, silent and simple to replace when the time comes.
Integrated protection unit: The finishing touch is Canyon’s IPU to prevent the handlebars over rotating and damaging the top tube.
Clearance for 2.4” tyres: Wider does not mean slower, but more volume to push harder. The latest generation of wide XC rubber is a great match for the new Exceed.
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Pricing and availability
The Exceed comes in five models, from the CF 9 at € 4,999 to the CF 5 at € 1,999. Within those models, three colour options are available, a Berlin Sky grey, an Azzurro Cielo blue or a Cosmos Black. Check out the new Exceed on Canyon.com or the Canyon App where you can find additional resources and specification information from 20th March onwards.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Embargo: The embargo expires on Friday 21st March 2025 11:00 CET.
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