If you’re in the market for a bike but don’t have big bucks to spend, then the Canyon Endurace WMN AL 6.0 is worth your time, attention and hard-earned cash.
The spec is unquestionably good: there’s nothing we’d want to change on this bike, and it represents seriously good value for money. That alone isn’t enough to clinch a high score, and the Endurace WMN also gives a lively ride that will have you pushing yourself, whether in speed or distance.
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German company Canyon are a direct sell brand, and making bikes with excellent parts for the money is one of its signature features, facilitated by the savings made from avoiding traditional bricks-and-mortar retail.
This is course one of the downsides too: although Canyon have an online sizing tool to help you choose the right size bike, and online customer support and chat functions, you won’t get the same experience as you would in a bike shop. They do offer a 30 day right of return though, so if you find one of its bikes isn’t quite right for you, you can send it back.
You'll also need to do the final bits of assembly yourself, but this just means popping on the bars and wheels, which is a simple job, and Canyon helpfully provide the tools you need to do this, and set up the saddle height, as part of the package.
Unisex frame, women’s finishing kit
Canyon are one of relatively few brands whose women’s road bike line is based around unisex geometry, which means both the unisex/men’s version of the bike and the women’s version have the same frame, but the finishing kit such as saddle varies.
In this case, the main differences between the WMN version and the equivalent unisex/men’s bike is the presence of a Selle Italia Lady Flow saddle and a slightly shorter stem.
The aluminum frame is a case in point that an alloy bike made well isn’t necessarily heavy, with the size small tested weighing in at 8.17kg. This low weight is also aided by lighter, pricier components when compared to other bikes in this price bracket.
Endurace, as the name suggests, is Canyon’s endurance-geometry bike, which means a more upright position compared to racier bikes such as the Canyon Ultimate.
Quality groupset, quality wheels
A full Shimano 105 groupset including brakes is good to see at this price point, where often one or two elements such as brakes or cranks are swapped for a more budget choice. With 50/34t chainrings paired with an 11-32t cassette in a 2x11 formation, you get plenty of range for climbing and powering along the flat.
As part of the testing process, this bike saw a fair few ascents of Cheddar Gorge, and the gear range was enough to conquer the beast even after several long hours in the saddle.
Another impressive feature of the Endurace WMN AL 6.0 is the Mavic Aksium wheelset fitted with really good Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II tyres. Lighter than many budget wheelsets, the Aksiums are a good all-round choice, sturdy enough to handle rough roads.
The Grand Prix tyres provide good, consistent grip, making cornering a more secure and confident experience.
Comfortable, fun, lively and stable
The Endurace is a fun, lively bike to ride. It’s light enough to make short work of long climbs, with ample gearing to give you an easy spin up. At the other end, the gearing gives you the range to get some power down along the flats, and it feels energetic when you do, encouraging you to push a little harder.
On descents, it feels stable and planted, and the Shimano 105 rim brakes give a consistent, reliable feel, though don’t have the sheer power of hydraulic disc brakes, which are rare at this price point.
While it doesn’t have the high-tech comfort features of pricier bikes such as the Trek Silque or Specialized Ruby, there’s enough compliance in the carbon seat post and cushioning and support in the saddle and ergospeed gel handlebar tape to keep you comfortable for long rides.
Aesthetically, the Endurace is easy on the eye, with a sleek satin black and berry colour option (pictured) or dark and light blue.
Verdict
Overall, it’s hard to quibble with the Canyon Endurace. The parts have been well chosen not just in terms of value for money, but strategically to provide the most comfort and performance possible for a bike at this price point.
Full Shimano 105, carbon seatpost, Mavic Aksium wheels, quality tyres; there’s nothing I’d look to change.
Value for money isn’t the be-all and end-all though, and the Endurace wouldn’t have scored this highly if it wasn’t also a pleasure to ride.
It’s versatile, confidence-inspiring, planted and stable on descents but lively and maneuverable when you want it to be. Comfortable over long distances, it makes for a fun ride that encourages you to go out more often, further and for longer.
Prices, sizing and availability
The Canyon Endurance WMN is available in sizes XS, S, M and L, though since the frame is unisex the non-WMN version goes up to XXXL, albeit with a unisex/men’s saddle.
Availability in all sizes and colourways is currently good, as of time of publication, and Canyon updates the availability chart on the product page frequently so you can monitor the stock level.
As Canyon is direct sell, you’ll need to purchase the bike directly from the Canyon website. Postage and packing, which includes a specially designed and reusable bike box, isn’t included.
Interestingly, the WMN version of the bike doesn’t seem to be available in Australia, though the unisex version is.
Canyon don't currently ship to the US.
Price: £999 / AU$1599
