Enduro E-Bike Showdown: Canyon Strive vs Orbea Wild M-Team - Discovering the Peak Performer in Mountain Assault Biking
Let's dive deep into an epic showdown between two high-powered e-enduro machines: the Canyon Strive:ON CFR and the Orbea Wild M-Team. Both bikes are Bosch-charged, race-proven beasts, determined to dominate trails and escape the race track.
These two bikes are the toast of the town, having taken home the E-EDR Championship titles of 2023. The mullet-wheeled Canyon under Fabien Barel and the full 29in Orbea under Flo Espiñeira are undoubtedly the queens and kings of the track. But we're here to find out how they stack up off the dirt racetrack.
The battle lines are drawn with a price gap of £2k between the two: the Orbea Wild M-Team, available for £8,999, and the Canyon Strive:ON CFR, going for £6,699. Let's break down all the juicy details!
Pricing
There's a bit of a pricing conundrum here, as our favorite budget-savvy direct-to-consumer trickster, Canyon, takes on the long-established dealer system of the Orbea Wild M-Team.
Canyon has a leaner business model, allowing it to bring better value with three Strive:ON models in its range. The range-topping CFR, set at £6,699, houses the smaller 625Wh battery, with the option to upgrade to the large capacity unit for £200 more. There's also shipping and packaging to factor in, which sets you back £68.98.
Compared to the Orbea Wild M-Team, both bikes have the same 750Wh battery, but the hefty price tag of £8,999 is softened by some posh suspension components, such as the Float X2 Factory shock and Factory Float 38 fork. However, if you weigh in your budget concerns, the Canyon delivers similar performance at a more pocket-friendly price.
Suspension and Frame Layout
Both the Canyon Strive:ON and the Orbea Wild M-Team boast four-bar suspension systems, with Horsh Link on the Canyon chainstay and a concentric axle design on the Orbea, akin to Dave Weagle's Split Pivot and Trek's ABP. The final goal? To reduce the impact of braking on the suspension action.
The seatstays power the shock on the Canyon Strive:ON, with a swinglink connecting the stays to the front triangle. This allows for quick climbing on steep ascents, thanks to its ease of flicking the climb switch on the Fox Float X2 Performance shock. In contrast, the Orbea uses a classic rocker link layout for its shock, offering a supple ride and plenty of support during climbs.
Both bikes boast 65mm suspension stroke and similar travel of 160mm. But they use travel in significantly different manners. The Orbea enjoys a smooth, consistent stroke that offers sweet initial compliance and mid-stroke support. On the other hand, the Canyon softens the early part of its travel with ease, providing excellent grip but dipping deeper into its stroke compared to the Orbea.
Motor and Battery
Both bikes strut their stuff with the Bosch Performance CX motor, admired for its powerful torque and reputation for reliability. Bosch's motor offers tuneable delivery and response, which can be fine-tuned via the Flow app. The negative? A rattle from the internals when coasting. Fortunately, our test rigs were relatively quiet!
Both the Canyon Strive:ON and the Orbea Wild M-Team come with the option of choosing between a 750Wh and a 625Wh battery. Swapping the larger battery for the smaller one on the Canyon shaves 700g, while Orbea claims a 900g difference.
Performance
The Orbea Wild M-Team lives up to its reputation with an effortless blend of power, poise, and precision, excelling in chunder, braking, and turns. It oozes composure when pushed to the limit, making it an absolute blast to ride.
The Canyon Strive:ON takes a playful approach, making handling a breeze and inspiring confidence on every turn. It may not quite match the track-oriented Orbea in raw power, but it delivers an engaging and delightful ride that begs to be exploited on various trail types.
Which bike takes the crown in this electrifying race? Strip away the race pedigree, and the Orbea Wild M-Team boasts composure under harsh conditions, while the Canyon Strive:ON shines for its agility, liveliness, and genuine fun factor.
Ultimately, both bikes hold their own respected places in the e-enduro segment, catering to different rider preferences and priorities. It's a tough choice, but in the end, the Canyon Strive:ON edged out the Orbea Wild M-Team with its dynamic handling, versatility, and affordable price tag. Whether it's time to tear up the trails or compete on the dirt, these bikes are ready to deliver unrivaled speed and an epic adrenaline rush!
How to compare the Canyon Strive:ON CFR and the Orbea Wild M-Team in terms of features and deals, focusing on pricing and performance?
Both bikes, the Canyon Strive:ON and the Orbea Wild M-Team, exhibit impressive performance despite distinct differences in their pricing and features. While the Orbea offers posh suspension components, Canyon delivers similar performance at a more pocket-friendly price. And by balancing dynamic handling, versatility, and affordable pricing, the Canyon Strive:ON edges out the Orbea Wild M-Team.
