I've always ridden hardtails, but I've started to hit bike-parks more frequently and feel like I need to upgrade to a more capable bike. My (upgraded) Trek Marlin 5 is at the point that I wouldn't consider putting any more money into it, and given that it's a straight steerer, the suspension is at a dead end even if I did want a new fork on it. I've been hiring alternative bikes for several months now…
I was always intrigued by the Neuron lineup – similar specs to Polygons Siskiu bikes, but a slightly less worrying quality control background even if the price is a little higher. I was considering the Neuron 6 but noticed 2 variants – https://www.canyon.com/en-au/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/neuron/al/neuron-6/4033.html?dwvar_4033_pv_rahmenfarbe=BU&dwvar_4033_pv_rahmengroesse=L & https://www.canyon.com/en-au/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/neuron/al/neuron-6/4004.html .
Both bikes appear to be similar, but I do prefer the colourways available on the second. I noticed the groupsets are different (Shimano on one, NX on the other) with the more expensive one getting the better Shimano kit. Then I noticed that the shock on the cheaper bike appeared to be slightly better specified… Should I save my money and go with the cheaper 6, or is the Shimano setup really worth the extra 300 AUD? Then there's the question of "I've gone this far, so why not get the flagship 7 with a better fork etc".
So which should I buy? A 6 with better shifting, a 6 with better suspension or a 7 with upgraded everything but a larger price tag? Or should I be looking at other bikes entirely? (Ibis is not an option in Australia, and I don't want an enduro bike)
by Worgle123
5 Comments
I’ve got the 6 for about 2 seasons and about 1500 miles now on everything from gravel to flow to sand to chunder to desert slick rock – it’s pretty awesome at the price point. I’m coming from SC circa 2014 so I’ve got no complaints. Id expect to notice the drivetrain upgrade more often than I notice the fork upgrade. If ur doing your own maintenance the rhythms pretty simple but then again so is the next iteration but if you don’t take the time to dial in the grip damper then ur basically running a 300g lighter version of the rythm fork. The added small bump compliance is nice but I find little to no difference in the front between the float and rythm after a few rides in between maint intervals could just be me though generally more worried about where I’m pointing the thing than how much rattle and hookup I have up front.
The neuron isn’t really a bike park bike. The spectral or spectral 125 would be much better.
Looks like they have the same fork (fox 34 Rhythm 140mm). The shock appears to be a misprint. Ive never heard of a Rhythm shock. I’m pretty sure they are both Float DPS shocks.
NX groupset works fine, its just a bit heavier. I personally prefer the feel of shimano (ive never used deore, but Ive had bikes with shimano SLX and sram GX and I prefer the shimanos) but wouldnt pay extra for it. Some people like SRAM better though. They are clickier shifts. Shimano feels softer but smoother to me. They both work fine. Honestly the biggest difference between the two is the shimano group uses the SLX cassette which is pretty light compared to an NX cassette. Again though, I wouldnt pay much extra to save the 100g difference between the two.
The one downshide of the NX groupset is that it uses a different freehub than the nicer SRAM groupsets which means if you want to upgrade the cassette you also need to upgrade your freehub or wheel. All of the nicer SRAM groupsets use an xd driver but NX uses an HG driver. On the shimano side all of the 12 speed cassettes use microspline freehubs so if in the future you wanted to splurge on an xt or xtr cassette (pretty unlikely, you pay a lot for a bit of weight savings which is silly on an aluminum bike anyway) its a quick switch.
Edit: I’d also like to say I had a neuron a few years ago and it was a very fun bike. I felt like the durability was a little suspect, I was always a little concerned with it. The paint job looked nice but chipped and wore through from minor rubbing really quickly. I also see more posts about broken canyon frames than most other brands, but it was carbon. Since you’re looking at an alloy bike I wouldnt be worried.
The Neuron 7 without a doubt. Much better suspension combined with XT drivetrain and brakes (the best bang for buck in the industry). Bonus points for the forrest green because what in the fuck are those colour ways?!?
I have never regretted buying the best bike I can afford, but I have spent a lot of money upgrading a poorly wpecced bike. In the end it costs you more. If you can spec up from the beginning, I highly recommend it. Also, make sure you check out their outlet options because there’s some fantastic deals on the higher specced neurons if you can spare the cash. The purple Neuron LTD is just the best bang for buck I’ve seen in any bike for a long time.
That being said, the Neuron is a long day in the saddle trail bike. It’ll hit parks, but it’s still a compromise. If you want a park bike, you’re looking more towards the spectral. They used to have the spectral 125 which would have been an epic do it all bike, but I think it struggled to sell.
Yeah I’d def consider the 7 if the moneys there but also I don’t like having to constantly dial in little details on suspensions when I really don’t feel the difference after two or three big days. I’ve noticed over 24 years of riding now that there’s nice middle ground for drivetrain – it’s seems the upper end of the pricing shifts beautifully but gets touchy after a while or a few bumps = more consistent maintenance so I’ve opted for that middle of the road drivetrain which I found in the 6. I def go for the most robust braking I can get on the bike but I’ve got the dominions and they’re great. I’m a set it and forget it kind of rider. I do my own maintenance but I don’t want to spend a ton of time doing it so I opted for the 6.
Edit: as others have pointed out look at the spectral for park