The Torque:ON has joined Canyon’s roster of e-MTBs as a 175mm travel gravity-focused machine. Taking the progressive geometry of the Torque further, this 27.5″ bike is possibly the most aggressive e-MTB we’ve seen yet. Pricing of the Canyon Torque:ON starts at €4,499; let’s take a look at what you’re getting for your money.
Canyon Torque:ON e-MTB
- Intention: Park e-MTB / Freeride e-MTB
- Fork Travel: 180mm
- Rear Wheel Travel: 175mm
- Wheel Size: 27.5″
- Motor: Shimano EP8
- Starting Price: € 4,499
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
The Canyon Torque:ON is offered in two models, both rocking a full aluminium frame with air shocks delivering 175mm of rear wheel travel. A Shimano EP8 motor gives 85Nm of Torque powered by a downtube-integrated 504Wh battery.
That seems a little under-gunned, right? Especially when you consider that the 2021 Spectral:ON gets a 630Wh battery. Canyon say there was nothing really stopping them from putting a bigger battery into the Torque:ON… just ride quality.
The intention with the Canyon Torque:ON was to produce a gravity-capable bike for bike park laps and steep freeride terrain. Seemingly though, they wanted more than just a long travel bike with a motor and battery whacked on it. Canyon say the Torque:ON is a very playful bike, and the decision to opt for the 504Wh battery was key to that, offering a ~1kg weight advantage over the 630Wh.
For riders who will spend that battery capacity twice over in a single ride, Canyon are offering a spare battery “value package” for both Torque:ON models, adding €500 to the price tag.
Anything unusual about it?
The Torque:ON uses Canyon’s tried-and-tested Triple Phase Kinematics, altered slightly to reduce the anti-squat. Reduce? Yes, quite the opposite to what bike designers are normally aiming for. We can explain…
In brief, anti-squat is a trait of suspension design that resists the compression of the suspension caused by mass transfer during acceleration (pedaling). Anti-squat is generally a good thing as it prevents “pedal bob” associated with the uneven application of torque throughout the pedal stroke, making the bike feel more efficient when climbing steep terrain.
The presence of a motor on an e-MTB smooths out the uneven torque that is normally measurable throughout the pedal stroke, reducing the tendency of the bike to “squat” (or bob) as the rider pedals. Canyon decided to take advantage of this fact, sacrificing a little anti-squat in favor of reducing pedal kickback for improved rear wheel traction on descents.
For a more detailed explanation of anti-squat and pedal kickback, check out our Suspension Tech pieces in the links. I digress… back to the Torque:ON.
Torque:ON Geometry
The all-new Canyon Torque:ON shares the same suspension layout as the Torque Enduro MTB but its geometry progresses things further. The Torque:ON is both slacker and longer than its analogue counterpart, a fact consistent across the S-XL size range. While the Torque is offered in XS, Canyon opted to drop that frame size with the e-MTB.
A 180mm travel fork sits at a 63.5° head angle with the seat tube lying back at 74°. Reach spans a 435mm-510mm range with short 430mm chainstays on all frames. The BB drops 15mm with short 160mm crank arms on small and medium frames and 165mm for L & XL.
Why isn’t there a 29er?
Canyon say they wanted to keep the Torque:ON firmly in the “playful” category of e-MTBs, preferring that over the outright speed offered by 29″ wheels. The acoustic Torque was never offered as a 29er, and so neither is the Torque:ON.
Updated Spectral:ON, Neuron:ON and Grand Canyon:ON
As well as the addition of the all-new Canyon Torque:ON, Canyon have updated the Grand Canyon:ON, Spectral:ON and Neuron:ON with Shimano’s new EP8 motor. That replaces the 2020 bikes’ STEPS E8000 drive systems. Additionally, the 2021 Spectral:ON gets a bigger 630Wh battery. Frames and geometry are all identical to previous iterations.
Pricing & Availability
Canyon will offer two Torque:ON models in all markets outside the US: the Torque:ON 8 retails at €4,499 while the Torque:ON 9 is priced at €5,799. Both versions are additionally available with a dual battery option for an extra €500.
