Canyon Announces the All-New Torque AL, a “Long-Travel Bruiser” for All Forms of Gravity Riding

The Torque has been a staple in Canyon’s mountain bike lineup for two decades. It has gone through six iterations in that time, but it has always been geared toward aggressive riders and terrain. Now, Canyon is unveiling the all-new Torque AL, an aluminum-framed long-travel mountain bike that they say “excels at any and every kind of gravity riding.” Enduro? Freeride? DH? Canyon says, Yes.

With 180mm of travel front and rear, mixed wheels, and a Category 5 rated aluminum frame, the Torque AL represents a more affordable evolution of Canyon’s long-travel bruiser. With complete builds ranging from €2,499 to €3,999, it might be one of the best values out there.

a man riding the Canyon Torque AL down a trail.

Canyon Torque AL Details

With the new Torque AL, Canyon didn’t just produce an aluminum copy of the existing Torque CF. Instead, they went back to the drawing board with a ground-up redesign that they say is the most capable and versatile version yet, while also remaining relatively simple and affordable.

The new Torque AL has a tough aluminum frame, which Canyon says is Category 5 rated for strength and durability for gravity riding. Front and rear travel have also been increased slightly to 180mm of “gnar-devouring suspension and supremely confident control.” Canyon continues to use the time-tested four-bar/Horst Link platform with revised kinematics to make it a better climber, without sacrificing downhill performance.

The Torque AL comes in a Mullet wheel size configuration only, although the XS frame size comes with 27.5” wheels front and rear. While the majority of the complete Torque AL builds come with 180mm single-crown forks, it is also compatible with dual-crown forks with up to 190mm. In fact, Canyon will eventually be offering the Torque AL with a DH build and a 190mm RockShox Boxxer dual-crown fork. There’s also clearance in the frame for both air and coil shocks.

The Torque AL frame features standard thru-frame, guided internal cable routing for hassle-free maintenance. The frame also comes with a rubberized shuttle guard, lower downtube protector, and chainslap protection on the drive-side chainstay and seatstay. There’s a set of bosses and space for a water bottle in the front triangle.

a man hitting a jump while riding the Canyon Torque AL

Geometry

Canyon designed the Torque AL with a geometry that suits its travel bracket and descriptors such as bruiser, brute, gnar, and gravity. This includes a slack head tube angle, a steep seat tube angle, modern reach measurements, and increased stack heights. It also includes a geometry-adjusting flip-chip to make 0.5-degree angle changes, as well as adjustable chainstay length between a more playful 430mm and a more stable 440mm.

Increased stack height across the board for more confidence on steep terrain
Refined reach dimensions on all frames (470mm on size M)
Geometry-adjustable flip chip
63.5-64 degree head tube angle
78.5-79 degree effective seat tube angle
Adjustable chainstay length – 430 or 440mm
5 frame sizes, from XS through XL

screenshot of the Canyon Torque AL geometry chart.

Canyon Torque AL: Builds and Pricing

One of Canyon’s stated goals for the Torque AL was to provide good value to consumers. According to the brand, “this bike is living proof that top-shelf performance doesn’t always require carbon frames, idler pulleys, Gucci-grade electronic drivetrains, or price tags that make your eyes bleed.” Wth prices starting at €2,499 and topping out at €3,999 with Fox Factory suspension, it certainly seems like Canyon is doing its best to offer quality builds, performance, and durability for less than the competition.