Longterm review: Canyon Neuron:ONfly

The Canyon Neuron:ONfly made a strong impression during its first test: A lightweight, agile e-MTB that can hold its own against expensive premium bikes. And that without a utopian price tag. But does it really have the potential to convince our tester Lukas Lamming as a daily ride? We sent the enduro rider e-biking for half a year, and here is his verdict.

For some, the topic is still emotionally charged, as if it betrays the “real” biking. However, I’ve never demonized e-bikes. On the contrary: They have long been a part of the scene for me. They get more people on bikes, open up new possibilities, and have firmly established themselves in the mountain biking sector. And once you’ve tried it, you know the feeling: the grin on your face happens naturally. The extra boost is just fun. At the same time, biking with motor assistance changes things; it’s almost like its own sport. You can smoothly glide up any hill or, with full power, really crank it up and still reach your limits. What became clear to me after a few rides: An e-MTB is a versatile bike. More descents, effective base training, and quick after-work laps suddenly become much more feasible.

It’s not about laziness, it’s about possibilities. An e-bike opens up horizons that were often hampered by time, energy, or motivation. The after-work ride suddenly turns into a real trail session: same time, but more elevation gain, more descents, and thus more fun.

What used to be simply a means to an end is becoming its own discipline with the e-bike: the uphill. Technical climbing sections, tight switchbacks, and steep ramps. Riding uphill suddenly takes on a whole new dynamic and becomes a lot of fun. Those open to new trends will find a fresh approach to the sport with the EMTB, without replacing classic mountain biking. For many, the e-bike becomes a training partner, a time-saving tool, and above all, a fun guarantor that gets more out of every ride.

My expectations for the first e-MTB experience were honestly quite high. I didn’t just want to test any bike with a motor; I really wanted to find out if the concept of e-mountain biking could keep up with my riding style and standards. To do this, I rode a variety of bikes. Besides this long-term test bike, I also enjoyed the Nox All Mountain and the Radon Deft. And what can I say, my familiar home trails actually felt fresh and new. The extra boost opened up entirely new lines and possibilities that I had barely noticed before. I was particularly impressed by the feeling of being able to go full throttle for an hour after work. Without needing extensive planning or lagging motivation, just jump on the bike, shred the trails, and catch the sunset. The Canyon Neuron:ONfly especially proved itself in this aspect. For longer rides, its small 400Wh battery quickly reaches its limits. With its 140mm travel, it rides very agile and fully plays to its strengths on flowy tracks and tight corners. As long as you don’t use it in a rough bike park, it delivers top performance. Even in the dirt park on a kicker line, it pleasantly surprised me and was a lot of fun.

An exciting aspect of the test was the comparison between light eMTBs and full-power models. Light eMTBs come much closer to the classic mountain bike feel: lighter, more direct, more personal effort. But when you switch to a full-power bike, you immediately notice: There’s more to it. More power, more range, but also significantly more weight. The Canyon tested comes with a 400 Wh battery, which ran out in turbo mode after just over an hour. About 800 meters of elevation gain are realistic, then it’s game over. For longer tours or technically demanding days, that’s a bit tight. You might want to consider using the range extender. Because 800 meters of elevation gain on the trail is already a hard limit if you only have one bike in the garage. Low power can be manageable. But a short range can sometimes be a dealbreaker for many light eMTBs.

The biggest weakness for me was clearly the range. With only a 400 Wh battery, it was game over after just over an hour of sporty riding. In direct comparison with a Yeti Light-EMTB, my battery was almost drained, while the Yeti MTe (which Ludwig was riding on our joint tour and which has a 580 Wh battery) still had about 40% capacity left. This shows that range is a crucial factor, especially for Light-EMTBs. And in my case, the fun could have lasted a bit longer.

Nonetheless, the Neuron:ONfly did a lot right. For quick afterwork rides, it was a real game changer. It’s one of the most affordable Light-EMTBs on the market but doesn’t feel cheap on the trail. On the contrary, the ride felt surprisingly close to my enduro bike, which might also be because my Raaw Madonna isn’t much lighter than the Canyon.

With its 140 mm travel, the Neuron was ideal for my local trails—playful, nimble, yet very stable. There was a noticeable creak at the fork crown, but that’s not Canyon’s fault; it lies with the fork manufacturer and should be resolved in a warranty claim.

All in all, the bike not only proved itself but also strengthened my belief in electric biking. I was never an e-bike opponent, but after this test, I’m definitely a fan. I find Light-EMTBs particularly exciting because they maintain the classic riding feel but connect it with more options. Even though the battery isn’t enough for epic day-long tours, the Neuron:ONfly was a strong companion on the Regensburg trails.

In my test, it became clear: not every expensive high-end component is necessarily required, but a few components make the difference, especially on an e-MTB where the materials endure higher stresses. I didn’t miss a display on the Neuron:ONfly. The minimalist readout of battery level and support mode was completely sufficient for my needs: simple, clear, functional. The test bike came with the most basic configuration but performed quite well. The Shimano Deore M6100 drivetrain consistently did its job reliably, even if it made noise during gear shifts occasionally. In the long run, an upgrade here could be worthwhile to minimize wear and malfunctions. The Sram Code R brakes were powerful enough for my body weight, steady, and well-modulated, always providing a sense of security. Unfortunately, the Rodi Tryp 30 Evo rims felt rather heavy and developed a slight wobble quite soon. This is where the savings in the more affordable equipment became apparent. For aggressive riders or rougher terrain, this might quickly become a weakness. I was pleasantly surprised by the Rock Shox suspension. Sure, it offers fewer adjustment options, but in return, it is straightforward, works solidly, and fits the character of the bike well. Absolutely fair in this price range. The Bosch SX motor delivers a good punch but is sometimes a bit noisy, especially compared to other light motors. And during long climbs of 300 meters or more, it predictably goes into derating, meaning it reduces its power due to heat. Here, the motor cover from Canyon may be partly to blame, as it allows relatively little air to reach the motor. The setup is pretty unbeatable in this price range, and for those needing more, there’s the option to go for a more expensive model or upgrade gradually.

What Lukas, as an EMTB rookie, generally finds incredibly annoying about current EMTBs, he reveals in a separate article.